Western Monastery: A Tranquil Retreat in Tsuen Wan

Tucked away in Lo Wai Village, Tsuen Wan, Western Monastery offers a serene escape into one of Hong Kong’s most expansive and contemplative Buddhist complexes. Founded in 1970 by the Hong Kong Bodhi Society and significantly expanded between the late 1990s and early 2000s, the monastery now spans nearly 200,000 square metres, blending spiritual devotion with classical Chinese architectural grandeur.

Designed in the style of an imperial palace, the complex is composed of nine interconnected halls with yellow-tiled roofs, soaring eaves, and red walls that feel lifted from a historical epic. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by an elegant statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, setting a tone of compassion and calm. The Mahavira Hall enshrines the Buddhist Trinity, while other halls honour Maitreya and Kshitigarbha, alongside ancestral halls and spaces for study and reflection.

A highlight of the monastery is the nine-storey Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda, home to countless Buddha statues and a central exhibition of Buddhist relics and art. The Guanyin Cultural Expo Area further deepens the experience, with intricate stone carvings and reliefs illustrating her many manifestations. Surrounded by mountains, streams, and lush greenery, Western Monastery is a place where architecture, nature, and spiritual practice come together in quiet harmony.