Po Lin Monastery is located on the Ngong Ping Plateau, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The monastery was first constructed in the year 1906 by three visiting monks from Jiangsu. They named the monastery "The Big Hut", however, later in 1924, the name was changed to Po Lin. Po Lin literally translates into 'Precious Lotus Template'.

In the main temple hall are houses three bronze statues of Buddha - past, present and future. You can also have a look at the Buddhist scriptures here. What, however will catch your attentions most in the monastery is the Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Giant Buddha seated on a hill top. From the gate of the temple itself, you can see this magnificent copper statue of seated Shakyamuni Buddha which took a full ten years to get completed (unveiled in 1993). The statue is 34 m tall and happens to be the tallest outdoor seated Buddha image in the world. The weight of the statue is around 220 tonnes. At the base of the statue is the three storey exhibition hall housing a huge bell engtaved with Buddhist figures and scriptures. The bell is operated through a computer and every seventh minute, you will hear it ringing. In total, the bell rings for 108 times in a day and symbolises the relieving of 108 vexations.

The beauty and spleandour of the statue is beyond words. The eyes, lips, the bent of the head and the raised right hand blessing one and all combine to instill a feeling of spirituality, tranquility and awe simultaneously in the onlookers. The 268 stairs climb up the statue is worth all the efforts that you put in. From atop the green island seems extremely mesmerising.

The monastery is open between 9 am to 6 pm.


Lantau
The largest island of Hong Kong, Lantau covers an area of 146.38 sqkm at the mouth of Pearl River. Its size is actually twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Despite this the population of the island (45,000 people) is not as much when compared with that of the Hong Kong Island (1.4 million). The topography of the island is mainly mountainous with the highest point being the Lantau peak.

Apart from a number of monasteries and temples, Lantau is famous for its natural beauty which includes spectacular mountains, wooded hills, fishing villages and pretty beaches. Also, there are tea plantations, old Chinese forts and Neolithic rock carvings worth seeing. Accommodation is available in the temple along with exceptional vegetarian dishes. Other Attractions

• The Trappist Haven Monastery : The monastery is located on the east coast of Latau Island and was founded in 1956 by the fleeing monks of Peking. The monks of the monastery today operate a dairy farm which earns them good returns. Accommodation option is also available in this monastery.
  
  
• Lo Hon Temple : The temple is situated in a cavern where a hermit practised Buddhism in 1926. The temple itself was built in 1974. It is open between 8 in the morning to 4 in the evening. The temple is quiet closeby the Tung Chung Fort and a walk to it will take around half an hour.

The Hong Kong International Airport is located at Chek Lap Kok which is just off the north coast of Lantau island. Taxis are available to transfer you to either Tung Chung or Mui Wo Ferry Pier in Lantau Island from the airport. From Mui Wo Ferry Pier, take bus 2 while from From Tung Chung MTR Station, take bus 23 to reach the Po Lin Monastery. From Tai O Fishing Village, bus 21 will take you to the monastery.

The Lantau island is also reachable by ferries from other part of Hong Kong.