Two monks approached us and coyly slipped prayer beads on our wrists, stroking our arms and touching our foreheads. We were being played for the part of Western tourist (moneybags) and we knew it. We patiently allowed them to finish their charades without interruption. After they were finished tapping our foreheads and bowing, we politely removed our bracelets and handed them back. “No, no, no!” they protested in anguish. We gently turned them down and continued down the sidewalk. As we rounded the corner to the left, we saw the first of the gold buddhas.

We could see the sidewalk winding up the side of the hill, lined on either side with life-size seated buddhas, each completely unique. The expressions on their faces were contorted in pain, overwhelmed with pleasure and everything in between. Some were seated, some were standing. Some donned elaborate metal armor and others simple robes. We had reached the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.

As in our experience at Lower Cheung Sha Beach, our experience far exceeded our expectations. We continued along the sidewalk, snapping photo after photo, thinking this was it: a sidewalk lined with hundreds of buddhas. It was impressive enough and we would have been satisfied if this had been the destination in its entirety.

We followed the path up to the heart of the temple. Huge statues, shrines, women buddhas, baby buddhas: all kinds of buddhas and even a few monkeys! Additionally, the view from the top was beautiful, overlooking the surrounding city and mountains. Words can’t do this one justice. Check it!

10,000 Buddhas Monastery > The Big Buddha. By. Far.