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Ching Chung Koon
To pass
through the portals of Ching Chung Koon is to be transported back in
time to the China of yesteryear, when magnificent temples set among
harmonious natural scenery offered a serene refuge to the weary
traveller. This Taoist temple in Tuen Mun New Town embodies all the
charm and visual delights of traditional temples in Mainland China,
with visual surprises around virtually every corner.
'Ching Chung' means Evergreen Pine Tree in Chinese while 'Koon'
signifies a Taoist temple, a place where the whole atmosphere is
aimed at promoting harmony with nature. The main building is the
Palace of Pure Brightness, which is as good a place as any to begin
exploring the wonders of this little-known gem where nature blends
so artistically with the work of man. Dotted around the exquisitely
designed grounds are pagodas, pavilions, pai-laus (ornamental
archways), quadrangles, towers, Chinese gardens and fishponds, all
complemented by trees, shrubs, flowers and potted plants. These
include many splendid examples of bonsai, the extraordinary Oriental
art of growing perfectly shaped miniature trees.
The visual feast doesn't stop there. Elsewhere are colourful
paintings, examples of calligraphy (writing in Chinese characters)
and even poetic inscriptions, all executed with taste and flair. If
you're feeling peckish, you might also like to enquire about the
possibility of getting a vegetarian meal, which will be cheap and
nourishing. Take the MTR (Tsuen Wan line) to Kwai Fong Station, go
to the nearby bus terminus and take Bus No 58M, alighting at the
Tuen Mun Catholic Secondary School. The temple is nearby but since
the entrance is far from imposing it may be best to ask directions.
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Hong Kong Gold Coast
Situated
close to Castle Peak Bay, the ultra-sophisticated Gold Coast Resort
looks much like a Mediterranean resort magically transplanted to the
shores of Hong Kong. It features a world-class hotel, a convention
centre, a shopping mall and a marina club, as well as its man-made
Golden Beach and palm-shaded Promenade dotted with kiosks. Golden
Beach is the largest public beach in Tuen Mun and the first
artificial beach in Hong Kong. At 545 metres long, it covers a total
area of 7.85 hectares.
Running parallel to its seashore is a 480-metre-long Promenade
flanked by tropical trees and flowers of various species. Here,
kiosks sell snacks and drinks, and changing rooms stand along the
beach side. These all blend well with the hotel and shopping mall
both in terms of architecture and colour scheme. Adding to the
French Riviera atmosphere is an art area called Gold Coast
Montmartre, where, every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, street art,
handicrafts and other forms of culture find expression. This is the
first specific location for street art and culture of its kind in
Hong Kong.
Open from 3pm to 9pm on Saturdays and Sundays, the Art Promenade is
an ideal place for performing arts by amateur artists. The action
takes place outside the Marina Shopping Mall, which is also a focal
point for the handicraft artisans who show off such art as
monochrome drawings, cartoon figure drawings, ornament designs,
decorated ceramics, rice art, models and stained sand. On Sundays in
Cultural Square, visitors also have the opportunity to see live
performances, ranging from recitals of popular western verse and
concerts by live bands to performances on various musical
instruments and other presentations by both professional and amateur
performers. Take bus 52M from Kwai Fong MTR station, bus 52X from
Mei Foo MTR station (Exit A), bus 962 from Admiralty (outside
Pacific Place) or take maxicab 140M from Tsing Yi MTR station, get
off at the Gold Coast.
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Miu Fat
Buddhist Monastery
This well-known Buddhist
sanctuary is undergoing a facelift, destined to make it a Hong Kong
landmark. Rising beside the existing monastery complex is a
lotus-shaped building featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls - plus
a glass roof! This stunning vision merges modern design with ancient
architecture and will undoubtedly become one of the most visited
tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Inside this column-free building
will be an 8-metre tall statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni, flanked by
statues of Saripuitra and Mahamandgalyagana. It will also include a
library housing priceless Buddhist scriptures. A new Liaison Hall
will handle seminars, exhibitions, and a wide range of cultural
educational and welfare functions.
The Miu Fat Monastery was built in 1950 and the adjacent,
three-storey Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda was completed in May, 1980.
It features a Main Worship Hall housing three gold-plated statues of
the Buddha Sakyamuni which now overlooks the central courtyard.
Inside, are thousands of Buddhist images and paintings. The Pagoda
features a large collection of Buddhist scriptures while the main
entrance is guarded by a 20-metre carved column with giant
gold-plated dragons on both sides. The complex is open seven days a
week from 9am to 5pm. They also serve vegetarian meals.
Take the Light Rail Transit (LRT) at the Tuen Mun Ferry Pier and
alight at the Lam Tei stop. It's about a five-minute walk from
there. Alternatively, you can take buses No. 53, 63M, 63X, or 68A
from the Tuen Wan Ferry Pier Bus Terminus, the Airport Railway Tsing
Yi station Bus Terminus, Jordan Road Ferry Pier Bus Terminus or the
Kwai Hing MTR station Bus Terminus respectively. Or take any minibus
in Jordan destined for Yuen Long.
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Information provided by
Hong Kong Tourism Board.
