A must-see for any visitor to Hong Kong, explore amazing Chinese heritage at Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill, Kowloon
No matter how long you’ve lived in Hong Kong, a break from the city life of expensive coffee and high-rise buildings can do some good. Whether that’s exploring heritage and art at Tai Kwun, enjoying therapeutic forest walks with Kembali or exploring the islands around Hong Kong. There’s always somewhere to explore, and Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill are great places to escape from the noise to enjoy gorgeous architecture, temples and tranquil rock gardens.
Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill, Kowloon
Chi Lin Nunnery is actually a temple complex that was founded in 1934 as a retreat for Buddhist nuns. In the 1990s, it was rebuilt in Tang Dynasty style to include elegant architecture crafted from cypress wood.
The complex is based on traditional Chinese architecture, and features an interlocking system of joints meaning that not a single nail was used during its construction. Inside, the temple halls include a range of statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, bodhisattvas and Guanyin, the goddess of Mercy.
Chi Lin Nunnery, 5 Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 九龍鑽石山志蓮道5號
Nan Lian Garden: A photographer’s dream
With a backdrop of Hong Kong’s famous high-rise apartment buildings, Nan Lian Garden is an oasis of calm, just opposite Chi Lin Nunnery. A public park, the garden has also been meticulously crafted in Tang dynasty style, and includes the Pavilion of Absolute Perfection and water features that make it ideal for photography.
Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden are great places to take visitors to Hong Kong or to escape from the busy streets. A vegetarian restaurant serving Chinese food is also located in the garden as well as a Chinese Tea House.
Nan Lian Garden, 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, Hong Kong
