🏯 Chi Lin Nunnery: Tranquility Amid Skyscrapers in Kowloon, Hong Kong

🏯 Chi Lin Nunnery: A Peaceful Escape in the Heart of Kowloon

Right beside the elegant Nan Lian Garden lies a sacred and serene place—the Chi Lin Nunnery. This vast Buddhist complex is home to about 60 nuns and offers a calming contrast to the bustling urban life outside its walls.

 

Originally built in 1934, the monastery was later reconstructed using traditional Tang Dynasty architecture in 1990 and finally opened to the public in 2000. With its majestic wooden halls, lotus ponds, and bonsai-lined courtyards, it’s truly a sanctuary for the soul.

📍 Location: Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong
🎟️ Entrance Fee: FREE
🕘 Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
🌐 www.chilin.org

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🚪 Entering the Shan Men: Leave Everything Behind

To begin your visit, you’ll walk through the Shan Men, or "Mountain Gate"—a term rooted in the Buddhist tradition of retreating into the mountains for spiritual practice.

🔑 Did You Know? "Shan Men" also refers to the "three gates" of wisdom, compassion, and skillful means—core virtues on the path to enlightenment.

As you pass through, symbolically, you’re asked to leave behind your worldly worries—a lovely gesture of mindfulness that sets the tone for what lies ahead.

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🌸 Lotus Ponds, Bonsai Trees & Tranquil Gardens

The only bonzai tree that's inside a cage

Inside the first courtyard, you’ll be welcomed by:

• 🪷 Four large lotus ponds
• 🌳 Potted bonsai trees and bougainvillea
• 🍃 Two open courtyards for public enjoyment (out of three)

Located on the left side of the Shan Men is the Western Lotus Pond Garden. It’s a peaceful area where visitors can descend to sit, rest, or just breathe in the serenity.

🧘 TIP: Even if you don't go down to the pond, you’ll still enjoy a great view from above.

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🏛️ Sacred Halls and Photo Etiquette

At the far end lies the Hall of the Celestial Kings, home to shrines and sacred Buddha statues. Visitors are welcome to quietly enter, pay respect, and observe the offerings.

📸 Photos are not allowed inside the temple halls. I admit—I couldn’t resist taking a quick shot (flash off!) out of admiration. An elderly lady explained that Buddhas are seen as living beings, and flash photography is believed to disrupt their spirit.

⛔ Respect Tip: Silence is sacred. In Buddhist temples, and even in Catholic churches or Taoist shrines, photographs of altars or deities are discouraged to preserve their sanctity.

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🐉 Architecture & Atmosphere

Despite its location in busy Kowloon, Chi Lin Nunnery feels like a temple on a mountaintop. The only reminder of the modern world is the silhouette of high-rises peeking over the walls.

With double-eaved wooden roofs, stone staircases, and Tang-style halls, the monastery showcases elegance in simplicity and harmony.

🔭 Photo Tip: Climb the stairs leading to the Celestial Hall for a perfect view of the Golden Pavilion in Nan Lian Garden. It’s one of my favorite angles in the entire complex!

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🧭 How to Get There

🚉 By MTR:
Take the MTR to Diamond Hill Station (Exit C2). Follow the signs to Nan Lian Garden, and from there, it’s just a short walk to the Chi Lin Nunnery.

🗺️ Click here for full directions and how to reach Nan Lian Garden.

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🙏 Chi Lin Nunnery is one of the most underrated gems in Hong Kong. Whether you're seeking a moment of reflection, architectural appreciation, or simply a quiet escape from the city, this monastery delivers.

📣 Have you ever visited a place that felt like a spiritual retreat in the middle of the city?
💬 Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

👉 Don’t miss my full guide to Nan Lian Garden and the Day 3 Hong Kong itinerary where I visited this tranquil duo before heading to Wong Tai Sin Temple and Disneyland!