Hong Kongers love superlatives, even if making them true requires strings of qualifiers. So the Tian Tan Buddha is the world's largest Buddha—that's seated, located outdoors, and made of bronze. It doesn't need the epithets: its vast silhouette against the sky is impressive. Steep stairs lead to the lower podium, essentially forcing you to stare up at all 242½ tons of Buddha as you ascend. At the top, cool breezes and fantastic views over
Po Lin Monastery, it's hard to believe today, but from its foundation in 1927 through the early '90s, this monastery was virtually inaccessible by road. These days, it's at the heart of Lantau's biggest attraction. The monastery proper has a gaudy, commercial, orange temple complex. Still, it's the Buddha people come for.
The entry to this themed attraction is framed by traditional, decorative columns which are illustrated with painted monkey murals. The entry to this attraction is framed by traditional, decorative columns which are illustrated with painted monkey murals. Moving inside, you'll be enchanted by the ambience of a seemingly open courtyard, before finding your seat in front of the panoramic film screen which is artfully blended into a wall of stone carvings.