Bun Tower Thrills & Island Chills: Family Fun in Cheung Chau!

  

Must Visit!

Cheung Chau, located in the New Territories—the largest region of Hong Kong—offers a refreshing contrast to the bustling city. With its lush parks, ancient villages, and serene monasteries, it’s a treasure trove for nature and history enthusiasts. With family & Friends we recently attended the vibrant Bun Festival on its second day, and it was an unforgettable experience, especially for our child.

This three-day festival, which coincides with Buddha’s Birthday, transforms the island into a vegetarian paradise. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by an array of delicious vegetarian food options, including colorful fruit buns that our little one couldn’t get enough of. The atmosphere was alive with lion dances, dragon dances, drums and street games, making it a feast for the senses.

Transport to Cheung Chau was a breeze; we took the ferry from Central Pier 5, (Sun Ferry Timetable)  but there’s also a route from Mui Wo. From Central, it took us 60 mins in slow ferry however there is option of fast ferry which takes just 35 mins to reach the island. We noticed some small boats that seemed to offer rides, but we didn’t have the language skills to inquire about them—definitely something to consider if you’re planning to use them (They are called - Sampans)

The highlight of our visit was - Bun Festival!  watching the Bun Tower, where locals scramble to grab as many buns as possible. It was thrilling to see the excitement and a great way to explain the festival's significance to our child. You could either walk or cycle around the island. We chose to walk, as it was quite crowded for festival. We loved visiting the historic Pak Tai Temple, built in 1783. This temple is a focal point during the festival, where people come to seek blessings from Pak Tai, the sea divinity believed to protect the islanders. More about historic pak tai temple

After indulging in delicious buns and receiving blessings, we headed to nearby Tung Wan Beach for a stunning sunset view and some much-needed tranquility. It was a day filled with gratitude, amazement, and unforgettable memories.

As an Indian family, we found the Bun Festival to be a unique cultural experience, filled with warmth and hospitality. While we focused on the festival, we also noticed enticing attractions like the Mini Great Wall, the Reclining Rock, and Cheung Po Tsai Cave, all accessible by bike. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring cycle locks for safety.

Cheung Chau has so much to offer. I highly recommend visiting Cheung Chau at least once to soak in the festive vibe and create lasting memories! If you have a favorite thing to do on the island, let us know in the comments below. And feel free to share this post with anyone planning a visit!

Bun festival attending gang!

One near the beach! Love for pastels!

Its double the fun with bunch of friends!

Tung wan beach view! Not the best one but who cares!

Wind energy explained! :)

Love Lock Wall! Must pit stop for photo!

Funtastic company!

Beautiful scenic ferry ride from Central to Chueng chau

Family bikes can be hired just outside ferry pier.

Traditional vegetarian Buns!

Just outside ferry pier - Beautiful Fishing village coastal line!

cute little bun tower!

One during the ceremony

Bun Towers everywhere - SMall and Big!

Their concept of offering Deity is so similar to Indian culture as well!

Pak Tai Temple. Blessings Taken!

Very unique incense sticks in Hong Kong!

Historic stone wall! Love this architecture!

Waiting for Lion Dance to Begin.

One from Lion Dance!

Giant Incense sticks outside Pak Tam Temple

One with Bun Tower in background!

Unique - Elephant as part of Lion Dance

Nan Lian Garden & Chi Lin Nunnery - Jewel in Heart of HongKong! (2 Mins Read)

 

A collage of Chi Lin Nuunery and Nan Lian Garden!

Hong Kong is land full of surprises. Be it nature and its galore or be it being among top Financial hub or even following diversity of religions. Hong Kong has over One Million Buddhism following population (i.e. almost 28% of total population) as per Wikipedia. There are many monasteries in Hong Kong, but Four main ones which are famous are  - 

1) Po Lin Monastery at Lantau Island where beautiful tallest ever outside Sitting Tian Tan Buddha is situated, it is also famously called - The Big Buddha which is very renowned tourist destination and must visit for travelers to HK.

2) Tsz Shan Monastery - This is very unique monastery with limited guests allowed per slot and you have to make at least 1 month advance booking to  visit this beautiful place. It is located at Tai Po. (More information on upcoming blog)

3)Ten Thousands Buddha Monastery - Its located near Sha tin and boasts beautiful ambience and lovely monastery. and

4) Chi Lin Nunnery (志蓮淨苑) at Diamond Hill area in Kowloon is not so famous but one must must must visit location for its serenity, simplicity, calmness, that feel of life coming to standstill and mind stopping the swing between past and future right there in midst of 3.5 hectare full of nature surprise. This is our personal favorite place that we go to when just want to be in eternal peace. No visitors visiting us, can leave without visiting this place :p but trust me they love it. This is made in Japanese pagoda style and boasts a beautiful Nan Lian Garden in surrounding. More details with pictures to justify every word comes here -

Who should visit Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden?    

Literally everyone, no matter if you are religious or atheist but at some point everyone loves to attain that peace of mind and here it is! right in middle of hustle bustle and famous malls of Hong Kong, lies this place which is extra -ordinaire and closest to my heart personally.

How to visit Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden?    

The address for Chi Lin Nunnery is - 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon. There are couple of ways to reach the place as follows:

1. By MTR - This is the most easiest and convenient way we always follow. Just take Exit C2 of the Diamond Hill MTR Station and turn your left and cross the road -- There you are!
   


2. By Bus:
   3B, 10, 11, 11C, 38, 42C, 61X, 62X, 70X, 74A, 74X, 75X, 80, 82X, 84M, 85C, 85M, 89, 89B, 89C, 91, 91M, 92, 258D, 259D, 286M, 671, 796B, 906R, E22, E22A


3. By Public Light Bus:
   19, 19M, 70, 72

P.S. As soon as you enter the gate, don't forget to take small pamphlet about the place and information.

What are the timings and how much is this entrance?    

The Nan Lian Garden opens at 7.00 AM and closes till 7.00 PM. But the Main nunnery which is located in same premises upstairs is open only between 9.00 AM to 4.30 PM. 

So one must plan to visit accordingly. The nunnery which is made in pagoda style are uniquely designed beautiful premises and boasts lotus garden. 

The Admission to both nunnery and garden are absolutely free.

P.S. given the current situation please check their website or call and confirm its timings. Details at the end.

What is the there to do in this place and how much time will i need to plan?    

So there are two unique places to visit under in one area. First is The Chin Nunnery and then secondly you can follow circular one way that will lead to picturesque Nan Lian Garden. One can spend good 2 to 3 hours in both the nunnery and the garden. However if you wish to go with children then you can also spend time having lunch and going around and enjoying fish ponds and falls at ease which can also take good 4-5 hours. But if you are tight on time as tourist and just by visitor then even an hour is enough.

The Chi Lin Nunnery:  This was built in 1930's under Tang dynasty but re-built in 1998 and the uniqueness of this place is that it was built without single nail. It was re-built as such to show harmony between people and environment.The Chinese belief is that if houses are built from wood, the life of the trees is much longer. The sections of wood are locked together in the same manner as a jigsaw puzzle. Three different gates, each with its own representation, are at the entrance of the complex. The first gate represents compassion, the second wisdom, and the third, the skills of people. (source: hongkongnet) 

On nunnery grounds are a lotus pond, sculpted bushes and bonsai, and statues of the goddess of mercy, god of medicine, and others (The pictures of God /Godess is prohibited and hence not part of this blog) 

Nan Lian Garden: One of striking feature I love about this place is the architecture of  Tang Dynasty style. Every piece of land, rocks, trees and water is placed according to rules of Tang style. This garden is made in a way that one completes the circle by following the route.Many details are on the map and much more beautifully explained by pictures.

Pavillion outside Chi Lin Nunnery!

Lotus Bloom in Lotus Pond

Beautifully carved water fountains in Lotus Pond

Water Lillies at its best!

Another Lotus Ponds bloom

Lamps on the Chi Lin Nunnery pavillion.

Photo Courtesy: Urvi Kothari

Very lovely architecture imprint of Tang Dynasty!

Loved this piece on the pavilions!

Nan Lian Garden - Map (P.S. Do not forget to pick it map from Entrance)

This is our must have pic in this backdrop with Familia!

Beautiful street to walk with wonderful landscape

Getting merged with this beauty!

The 180 Deg Panoramic view of this beautiful place

Trying Photography skills!

The Golden Pavilion

Shops for souvenirs and small snack place. there is also a wonderful Chinese vegetarian restaurant just behind the waterfall. It has Buffet Lunch and has few options for Jain food.

Flowing with noise in the ears but calmness in Heart!

One of the Monk place

Posing with the Golden Pavilion!

Key Points to note:   

1) This place is stroller and Wheelchair friendly.

2) They can be contacted at : +852 2354 1888 / +852 3658 9366 

3) Visit their website for more information : http://www.chilin.org/

 4) Its a beautiful scenic landscape, please do not litter and do not sit anywhere and eat. There are guards across the garden to keep a check. One can use the Snacks shop and Restaurant.

5) Please be considerate and respectful towards monks, who will be present especially in nunnery. Don't make noise and observe silence

6) Please do not click pictures where it is explicitly mentioned : Photography Prohibited.