Chi Lin Nunnery, Buddhist monastery in Wong Tai Sin District, Hong Kong.
Chi Lin Nunnery is a Buddhist monastery in Wong Tai Sin District built entirely with wooden structures and not a single nail, following traditional Chinese architectural methods. The complex features multiple prayer halls arranged around ponds, stone formations, and mature trees that create a cohesive sanctuary.
The monastery was established in 1934 as a religious refuge during a turbulent period in the region. Major restoration work in the 1990s rebuilt much of the structure to its current appearance before public access began in 2000.
The nunnery is named after the chi lin, a legendary creature in Chinese mythology symbolizing benevolence and protection. Today it remains an active place where nuns practice Buddhism, and visitors can observe the quiet rhythm of daily monastic life throughout the grounds.
You can reach the nunnery on foot from Diamond Hill MTR Station Exit C2, which takes just a few minutes. The grounds are open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at no charge, and visitors should move quietly through the complex out of respect for those in prayer.
Within the complex, the nunnery operates a vegetarian restaurant, a dental clinic, and a library housing rare Buddhist texts and manuscripts. These facilities reflect how the monastery functions as a self-contained community serving both residents and visitors.
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