The red-and-gold tiered pagoda beside a pavilion with a golden statue, potted flowers and hills behind

Religious site · Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin, New Territories

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Hillside Buddhist complex in Sha Tin with a red pagoda and more than 12,000 Buddha statues

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Ambient sound · similar settingBuddhist temple bell tolling at Chōmei-ji

Photo: photography for you (@pearl_perspective) / Unsplash

Discover Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

The climb to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is part of the experience. From the edge of Sha Tin a path winds through bamboo before a long, steep stairway begins, lined on both sides by life-sized golden statues of the Buddha's disciples, each with its own expression and pose: some serene, some playful, some startling.

At the top, the main hall glitters with row upon row of small Buddha figures covering its walls, giving the complex its name. A red-and-gold nine-storey pagoda stands on the terrace, and further steps lead to upper halls and pavilions with views across Sha Tin's towers and the surrounding hills.

Don’t miss

01The steep stairway lined with life-sized golden statues of Buddhist disciples
02Man Fat Din, the main hall, its walls covered with thousands of small Buddha figures
03The red-and-gold nine-storey Man Fat Pagoda
04The Eighteen Arhats' Corridor and the upper-level halls
05Views over Sha Tin from the upper terraces

History & culture

The story of Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

The monastery, known in Cantonese as Man Fat Tsz, was founded in 1949 by the Buddhist master Yuet Kai, who built it on the hillside at Pai Tau with his followers over the following years and made many of the statues himself. The complex covers around 65,000 square feet and includes several halls, pavilions, the pagoda and the Eighteen Arhats' Corridor.

Despite its name, it is managed by lay Buddhists rather than a resident community of monks. In 2010 the main hall, Man Fat Din, and Man Fat Pagoda were given Grade III historic building status. The site closed for several years after a fatal landslide in 1997 and reopened in 2000 following slope repairs.

Local life & traditions

The monastery is an active place of worship where devotees come to pray, light incense and make offerings, particularly on Buddhist festivals. Its devotional atmosphere sits alongside a steady stream of visitors drawn by the statues, and the site remains an important part of Sha Tin's religious heritage.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Allow around two hours for the climb and a slow look around. Take your time on the stairway, where the variety of the statues rewards close attention, then explore the lower terrace with the main hall and pagoda before deciding whether to tackle the further steps to the upper halls and pavilions.

The monastery pairs well with the nearby Hong Kong Heritage Museum, about half an hour's walk away, or with Che Kung Temple and the riverside parks of Sha Tin for a half-day in the New Territories.

When to go

Cooler, drier months from October to March make the steep climb far more comfortable. Summer is hot and humid, and as a hillside site the monastery may close during heavy rain or severe weather warnings, so check conditions before you go. Visit early in the day for fewer people and softer light on the statues.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Address: 221 Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin, New Territories. Source: discoverhongkong.com ↗
History: Founded in 1949 by Master Yuet Kai; holds more than 12,000 Buddha statues. Source: discoverhongkong.com ↗
Heritage status: Man Fat Din and Man Fat Pagoda were rated Grade III historic buildings in 2010. Source: gohk.gov.hk ↗
Official website: http://www.10kbuddhas.org/index.do (opening status and hours should be checked before visiting). Source: gohk.gov.hk ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

The stairway has around 400 steep steps; wear good shoes, carry water and take breaks in the shade.
Dress modestly, speak quietly in the halls and do not climb on or touch the statues.
Follow any signs about photography and incense, and ask before photographing people at prayer.
Avoid visiting during heavy rain, when the hillside paths can be slippery and the site may close.
Keep food out of sight on the path, as wild monkeys are found in Hong Kong's wooded hills.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery: food, markets & places to stay

The monastery is about 500 metres north-west of MTR Sha Tin Station; Lonely Planet describes the route from Exit B past Pai Tau Village and along Pai Tau Street and Sheung Wo Che Street to the signed path through bamboo. New Town Plaza beside the station has a wide choice of restaurants and food courts, and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is roughly 1.7 km away on foot.

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery — Hong Kong Tourism Board
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Tsz) — Hong Kong Fun in 18 Districts, HKSAR Government
Man Fat Tsz (Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery) — Hong Kong Heritage Museum
10,000 Buddhas Monastery — Lonely Planet
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery — Wikipedia

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