From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The Tian Tan Buddha is a large statue of the Buddha, located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. It was known as the Giant Buddha,it is the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha.
This Buddha is one of the main sightseeing points in Hong Kong. Visitors can also go to visit the nearby Po Lin Monastery. Po Lin Monastery is the largest and most well known monastery on Lan Tau Island. Po Lin Monastery is known as the "Buddhist Kingdom in the South," serving as a Buddhist retreat. During the Qing Dynasty, Po Lin was built by three Zen masters in 1920. The main temples had been painted vermillion interiors with dragons and many different other Chinese mythical figures on the walls and the ceilings.
The Buddha is 34 meters high and it weighs 250 ton. The opening ceremony was very serious and respectful. As many as 13 monks from different countries, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Malasia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and America, were invited to hold that ceremony.The public was first allowed to visit this Giant Buddha in December 1993. The Monastery and the Buddha open to public for visit at 10:00 and close at 17:45. Also, vegetable meal will be served from 11:30 to 17:00.
The construction costs of the giant Buddha are up to $68 million. This world's tallest Buddha can even be seen as far as from Macau on a clear day. Visitors have to climb 268 stairsteps in order to reach the Buddha. It is fantastic to view the full picture of Lantau Island and the South China Sea in the altar high above. Beside being a famous resort of Hong Kong, the construction of the Buddha also reveals Hong kongers' respect to Buddhism.
The Buddha is of serenity and dignity. His lenient facial expression and gesture seems to be delivering blessings to all mankinds and give a feeling of peace. On Buddha's birthday, many Buddhists and vistors go to worship the Tian Tan Buddha.
Now Tian tan Buddha become a must on the tourist schedules. Not only can it attract tourists visiting the big buddha, but also it can become one of the main places to introduce Hong Kong. Also, there is a beautiful scene around the Buddha.
Buses travel from Tung Chung and Lantau Pier to Ngong Ping. The location of The Buddha is very near to the Hong Kong International Airport in Chak Lap Kok so it is very convenient for visitors from any other countries. For those local people of Hong Kong, they can take ferry at the Central Pier to Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) and then take buses to get there.
Buses
There are projects for a cable car carrying tourists from Tung Chung to the Buddha. And the cable car will be built directing from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping.
The Mass Transit Railway Cooperation (MTRC) which is responsible for MTR in Hong Kong is going to complete the Cable Car Project. It was estimated that the cable car project is going to complete in Year 2006.Transportation
No. 2 Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) ↔ Po Lin
No. 23 Tung Chung ↔ Po Lin
