Most people know Hong Kong for its dramatic skyline and the sheer number of skyscrapers packed into such a tiny space, but what really struck me was how seamlessly the city blends the old with the new. A century-old temple can sit just a block away from a glass tower, and somehow it feels completely natural.
If you’re searching for quick inspiration and easy-to-visit places that show a calmer side of the city, this guide highlights 7 of the most beautiful temples in Hong Kong worth adding to your itinerary, especially if you’re visiting for the first time.
7 Temples to Visit in Hong Kong
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
📍 Shatin |⏱1.5 hr |🚶 Uphill climb |📸 Scenic
I’ve been to temples in China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. All beautiful, but this one was truly unique. It reminded me a bit of the stone statues at Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto, but instead of stone, there are over 13,000 golden Buddha statues (they say 10,000, but there are actually more).
Each statue is life-sized, with different poses and facial expressions. Some are riding animals, some have super long eyebrows, and my favorite is a Buddha showing off his long legs.
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm every day
10/10 – I highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area. I will not shut up about this place!
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
📍 Shatin |⏱1.5 hr |🚶Uphill| 📸 Scenic
I’ve been to temples in China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. All beautiful, but this one was truly unique. It reminded me a bit of the stone statues at Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto, but instead of stone, there are over 13,000 golden Buddha statues (they say 10,000, but there are actually more).
Each statue is life-sized, with different poses and facial expressions. Some are riding animals, some have super long eyebrows, and my favorite is a Buddha showing off his long legs.
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm every day
10/10 – I highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area. I will not shut up about this place!
Pro Tip: This monastery doesn’t have monks living here. If anyone asks for donations, you may be getting scammed (there are warning signs). I visited at the end of September and it reached 40 degrees, to the point my phone camera stopped working. Bring water and be prepared for the heat because you’re climbing 431 stair steps.
How to Get Here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yxychswJShX49L5BA
Man Mo Temple
📍 Hollywood Rd |⏱30 min |📸 Spiritual
In the chaos of Hong Kong, one step into Man Mo Temple transports you to a world of calm and quiet. The heavy scent of incense fills the air, and dimly lit spiral coils hang from the ceiling. Visitors write wishes on red cards attached to the incense, symbolizing their hopes rising to heaven with the smoke.
Man Mo Temple is dedicated to two deities: Man, the God of Literature, and Mo, the God of Martial Arts. Together, they represent the balance of mind and body, wisdom and courage. People come here to pray for success in studies, business, or good health.
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm
10/10 – I was immersed. This place didn’t even feel real, it truly left a lasting impression!
Tip: The temple can get hot and stuffy from all the incense, so take care of yourself and your friends while you’re inside.
How to Get Here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yhVbTqEwNPsUwkLNA
Man Mo Temple
📍Hollywood Rd |⏱30 min |📸 Spiritual
In the chaos of Hong Kong, one step into Man Mo Temple transports you to a world of calm and quiet. The heavy scent of incense fills the air, and dimly lit spiral coils hang from the ceiling. Visitors write wishes on red cards attached to the incense, symbolizing their hopes rising to heaven with the smoke.
Man Mo Temple is dedicated to two deities: Man, the God of Literature, and Mo, the God of Martial Arts. Together, they represent the balance of mind and body, wisdom and courage. People come here to pray for success in studies, business, or good health.
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm
10/10 – I was immersed. This place didn’t even feel real, it truly left a lasting impression!
Tip: The temple can get hot and stuffy from all the incense, so take care of yourself and your friends while you’re inside.
How to Get Here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yhVbTqEwNPsUwkLNA
Wong Tai Sin Temple
📍Kowloon |⏱1 hr |🙏 Fortune-telling
Wong Tai Sin Temple is a colourful and spiritual place dedicated to the Taoist deity Wong Tai Sin, the Great Immortal known for his healing powers. Many people come here to pray for good health, wealth, love, and general good fortune. He’s believed to grant what is asked, especially through kau chim, a traditional fortune-telling practice. You make a wish or ask a question while shaking a bamboo cylinder until one stick falls out. Each stick has a number that you give to a fortune teller, who interprets its meaning.
This wish-granting temple is also known for matchmaking. Within the complex is Yue Lao, the God of Love and Marriage. Tie a red string to the red rope that connects the statues of a married couple, and your wish for love or a stronger relationship might just come true!
Another lovely spot is the “Good Wish Garden,” a peaceful area that reminds visitors to follow their hearts. This is one of the most popular temples in Hong Kong!
Opening hours: 7:30am to 4:30pm
How to Get Here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/y5SaBV6etFiixc9x7
Che Kung Temple
📍Sha Tin |⏱30min | 🌬️ Windmill ritual
Che Kung Temple is a Taoist temple in Hong Kong with a giant statue of Che Kung that stands tall. He was a military commander from the Song Dynasty who became the God of Protection, known for curing illness and bringing good fortune.
To pray, beat the drum three times and spin the golden four-blade fan three times. Spin it clockwise with your left hand to continue good luck, or counterclockwise to blow away bad luck and start fresh. I love this concept!
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm
How to Get here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DDxvEehf3esMFV3cA
Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden
📍Diamond Hill |⏱1 hr |🕊️Calm escape
This Buddhist nunnery in Kowloon is known for its Tang Dynasty–style architecture, which emphasizes symmetry and harmony with nature through the use of hills, trees, water, wood, and rocks. It’s the largest handmade wooden structure built without nails, using a traditional Chinese interlocking system that reflects the harmony between people and nature.
Right next to it, Nan Lian Garden is just as beautiful, with a golden pavilion and koi pond that perfectly capture the Tang Dynasty’s focus on balance and natural beauty.
Opening Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm
How to Get Here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/otSp37PKWD2AR7EZ8
Po Lin Monastery
📍Lantau Island |⏱45 min |🪷Giant Buddha visit |🕊️Spiritual & scenic stop
Many people visit Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha, but don’t forget to stop by the nearby Chan Buddhist Po Lin Monastery. It was originally known as “The Big Thatched,” a gathering place for monks seeking enlightenment. Since 1996, Po Lin Monastery has followed the belief of “development through education” and has helped build more than 280 schools across China.
Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
How to Get Here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gr2Us2yhNUWVUaxK8
Tsz Shan Monastery
📍Shatin |⏱2 hr |🕊️ Meditative
My biggest regret while on exchange was missing Buddhist temple in Hong Kong because I was too busy studying, sigh. This majestic and peaceful monastery blends Tang, Song, Liao, and Jin dynasty styles with nature, creating the perfect space for meditation. Here you’ll find a giant 76-meter-tall white statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion.
Admission is free, but this isn’t a tourist attraction, so online registration is required. Please be respectful and follow the rules during your visit.
Opening Hours: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Advance Booking: https://www.tszshan.org/home/new/en/visit.php
How to Get Here:
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pxya9SCHu8U2Gt899
Should you visit the temples in Hong Kong?
Yes! If you’re in the area and you want to see and feel the culture and where locals visit to pray and wish for good fortune, you must visit! Ten Thousand Monastery is the most unique in my opinion and a must visit! Make sure to add 1 to your next travel itinerary!
