Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden, 志蓮淨苑 及 南蓮園池

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3 Feb 2014

Chi Lin Nunnery was first established in 1934 but substantially rebuilt in 1990s.  All buildings are wood frame buildings built without the use of any iron nails. This construction is based on traditional Chinese architectural techniques dating from the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907) that uses special interlocking systems cut into the wood to hold them in place. It covers an area of 33,000 sq. meter (360,000 sq. feet).  The nunnery has managed the adjacent Nan Lian Garden since 2006. This large Buddhist monastic complex contains 15 crafted cedar halls, garden, courtyard, gilded statues and lotus ponds.

 

The complex is arranged around 3 courtyards.  Only 2 are open to the public.  Visitors can start with the Shanmen 'mountain gate' or the Celestial Gate, depends where you get off the public transport. We started from the latter and progressed to the Shanmen and the Nan Lian Garden.

Shanmen
Celestial Kings Hall

Apart from temple art there are many spectacular bonsai and beautiful flowers.  It's not overcrowded.  So, take your time and appreciate the plants and settings. 

If you proceed to the Nan Lian Garden, you see an exhibition of many different rocks, different shapes, giant and normal size.

Opening hours

Nunnery - 9am to 4.30pm daily
Lotus Pond Garden - 7am - 7pm daily
Nan Lian Garden can be accessed through a pedestrian footbridge
Admission: free
Getting there:
MTR Diamond Hill station exit C2, about 8 minutes walk.  Just follow the signage at the station exit.
Buses:
Diamond Hill Public Transport Interchange: 11, 74X, 75X, 82X, 82P, 85C, 85M, 91, 91M, 92, 286M
Near the Nunnery on Fung Tak Road: 3B, 10, 11C, 74X, 91, 92
Bus no. 10 can connect the Nunnery and the Kowloon Walled City Garden.



Location: Chi Lin Nunnery, 5 Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong

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