Cheung Shan Kwu Tsz

Up to February 2007, there are 81 declared historical monuments in Hong Kong. One of them is Cheung Shan Monastery (Cheung Shan Kwu Tsz 長 山 古 寺) which is located at the southern hill side of Wo Keng Shan (297m) facing Cheung Shan (167m) in the east of Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town, New Territories. Its in proximity to Cheung Shan may explain why the name Cheung Shan Monastery come from.

It is not sure that when the temple was first established. An bronze bell hang in the temple was cast in the year of Qianglong reign (1789) donated by the villagers revealed that the building was formerly called Cheung Sang Nunnery. Cheung Sang Nunnery was demolished and Cheung Shan Monastery was rebuilt on the same site in 1868. During a fire in 1920, part of the roof and fittings were destroyed. Restoration work funded by a 4.2 million donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was carried out in 1997.

The temple was declared a monument in 1998 under the protection of the Antiquities and Monument Ordinance.

The Monastery is a small establishment of about 150 square meters. It consists of two halls built on two elevated platforms. The rear hall approximately one metre taller than the front hall. Statues of Buddha, Kwun Yum (Goddess of Mercy 觀音) and Tei Chong Wong (Guardian of the Earth 地藏菩薩) are worshiped in the temple.

Map




How to Get There

1. Green minibus 52K to Ping Che from Fanling KCR East Rail. Get off at Wo Keng Shan Junction and walk for 15 minutes.
2. Take KMB 78K to Sha Tau Kok from Sheung Shui Terminus. Get off at
   CHUN YIU (bus stop no. 21 ) and walk along Wo Keng Shan Road for 15 minutes.

References:

1. Antiquities and Monuments Office web (http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_66.php#)
   
2. KCRC Web (http://www.kcrc.com/html/eng/services/attractions_along_KCR/east_rail/sheung_shui/cheung_shan_monastery.asp)
   
3. Fushantang (http://www.fushantang.com/1005/e1026.html)
4. http://www.pfigaron.net/place4/p30.htm