LOST AND FOUND IN TSIM SHA TSUI

As part of my planned itinerary, I know that after our Nan Lian Garden and Wong Tai Sin Temple escapade we have to find a place where we can eat a super late lunch. We were actually looking for authentic Hongkong street food hub but unfortunately we don’t know where is the exact location. For a safer side, we decided to go to Langham Place since it is linked to Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit C3).

Langham Place is a commercial shopping centre in Mongkok with more than 200 shops to choose from but our intention here is purely to find something to eat. As we step inside, we were impress to see the creative design that could attract lots of mall-goers/tourist. This mall is known for its 83m long indoor escalator where we never hesitate to give a try. Then, we proceed to food court for our much-awaited mid-lunch break.

Langham Place

While we were in Langham Place, we are discussing if we will proceed directly to airport or take an MTR to Central Station as per listed in our itinerary or pulled off some time to explore the area around Tsim Sha Tsui Station. Of course, we choose the latter. This is something that I never research so I’m bit afraid of the possible outcome. Without any plan on mind, we get out of the mall and casually walk to the next street.

We thought we were lost in Hongkong but we are assuring each other that as long as we remember the way going back to station then we are still okay. We actually don’t know where we are going and to be honest we’re just following the crowd who’s also walking on the same road.

After a numerous step, we found an egg-shape dome on the other side. Out of curiosity we decided to cross the street and check if we can pay a visit. Well, this is Hongkong Space Museum which is popular to any students/locals/tourists enamored of astronomy and space science.

Hongkong Space Museum

There’s a lot of activities and exhibits inside the Hongkong Space Museum for a minimal fee.

We decided to keep on walking till we notice another possible tourist destination. Lo and behold, it was HongKong Cultural Centre that serves as a major platform for any cultural activities, conventions, theater production, etc. This place is also near to Tsim Sha Tsui Station (exit E) or East TsimSha Tsui Station (Exit L6 or J). What caught our attention is the painting on this cement ladder that invites us to check the other side.

Behind this ladder is the amazing Victoria Harbour that connect the Hongkong Island to Hongkong mainland. The breeze of air coming from the waterfront help us to relax our distressed feet.

Like other travelers, we sat down on cemented floor while overlooking the high-rise building on the other side.

Victoria Harbour

This giant Ferris Wheel is actually located in Central Waterfront Promenade but it looks so small here in Tsim Sha Tsui viewing deck.

Some activities that you can enjoy here is riding a Star Ferry navigating the harbour vicinity. This is also where you can find the Kowloon public pier.

 

Adjacent to observation deck in the promenade is the magnificent design of piazza which I think is also part of Hongkong Cultural Centre.

Not too far from where we stand is the Hongkong iconic clock tower.

I’m sure there’s still a lot of things we could discover if we have more free time on this area but we need to travel back to airport for our schedule departure. This is us on the busy road in Tsim Sha Tsui—our feet is aching but our heart is smiling.

Our unplanned stopover to Tsim Sha Tsui teaches us to be flexible on our schedule, be courageous enough to get lost and found again the right path and intrepid to look for a new awesome discovery.

WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE

My cousin suggested to visit a temple during our short layover in Hongkong. Since I’m the one who’s making an itinerary, I have to find a temple which is nearest to metro train. To my surprise, Wong Tai Sin Temple is walking distance from Wong Tai Sin Station and even one station close to Nan Lian Garden which is on top of our must-visit place in our Hongkong stopover.

Unlike Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery, Wong Tai Sin temple is more crowded maybe because 1. its a place of worship for locals 2. accessibility to tourists by using public transportation. I’m not sure if there’s an important event during our visit as people flooded in/out of the temple. Whatever it is, we’re happy to explore and able to personally see the Wong Tai Sin Temple amidst it’s busyness.

Wong Tai Sin Temple is named after Master Wong Cho Ping. Though it was primarily a Taoist temple, it also has a Buddhist and Confucian worshipping halls. Based on the history found online, the architecture of Wong Tai Sin Temple is based on Five elements-metal, wood, water, fire and earth. These elements are much recognized through its structured hall, shrines and other important in-house features surrounding the temple.

The enormous Supreme Paradise Pai-Fong (Maingate) welcome our arrival.

 

The 2.6m tall Wang Ling-guan Shrine glorify the Taoist God of gate-keeping is the first of many interesting features found inside.

Wang Ling-guan Shrine

A bit of trek for more sightseeing.

It has been said that the main purpose of Bell and Drum Tower in Jinhua Heritage Pai-fong is to protect the worshiping platforms and Main Altar.

Jinhua Heritage Pai-fong

Wong Tai Sin Temple’s popularity rise up because of numerous worshipper’s answered prayers after they offer their petition. It is so obvious on how people lined up to worship and pray at the Main Altar.

 

We were amazed to see a gigantic bronze statues of Twelve Animals of the Year. They are dressed in various ethnic costumes to demonstrates the different characters of the animals.

 

 

The Archives Hall represents the wood element. This is the place where the administrative work of those officials are done on daily basis.

Archives Hall

The Yue Heung Shrine are painted in red that represent ‘fire’ in Five elements and it worships the Buddha of Lighting the Lamp.

 

Yue Heung Shrine

The Yuk Yik Fountain represents ‘water’ element comprised of seven lotuses.

Yuk Yik Fountain

This the moon gate entrance to Good Wish Garden. It is a chinese-inspired garden mirroring a miniature replica of the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Right after the entrance is the Statue of sheep which is made from white jade.

 

The bridge that linked from main entrance leading to different pagoda and pavilion.

I appreciate how they connect the temple to a sanctuary. In this way, devotee/tourist has another platform for self-evaluation while being close to nature.

We stayed here for some minutes to take rest and planned for our next route.

 

 

To be honest, Wong Tai Sin Temple is such a great discovery for me. I never thought that a simple suggestion from my cousin would lead me to explore more temple in the future. Way back to my old travel history local/abroad, I was hoping to visit a new church but this time, I can also include temple on  my list especially if I know the country/place I will visit has a number of temples as part of their historical landmark.

How to get there: Head to Wong Tai Sin Station (Exit B2)

Admission: Free

NAN LIAN GARDEN AND CHI LIN NUNNERY

Even before planning our short Hongkong trip, I already have Nan Lian Garden on my list after I saw an instagram post from a Philippine actress when she visited the place with her family. I told myself that if ever I have an opportunity to be in Hongkong I will pay a visit to the same place because I’m a nature-lover too. Whenever I make plan for short layover, I’ll make sure that every place we visited is 1. near to MTR and 2. no admission fee/or only minimal fee. Luckily, this place aligns within our desired purpose.

Coming from the airport, we travel directly to Nan Lian Garden as this is the farthest on our list. Exiting from Diamond Hill Station (C2), you will pass by Plaza Hollywood first before you reach the road leading to Nan Lian Garden. It’s a short walking distance only and lots of sign on the street so no need to worry of getting lost.

Nan Lian Garden is a free public park built in modern times with a classical touch of Tang Dynasty to promote Chinese culture in today’s era. When we saw the good landscaped inside all our exhaustion from long hours of flight suddenly vanish in an instant. The place is picturesque of perfect serenity and peacefulness in the middle of the city.

 

The heat of the sun is at its peak when we start our stroll in the park. Thanks to its greenery lush trees that help us to feel at ease despite of uncontrollable sweat of excitement.

One of the main attraction inside the garden is the Pavillion of Absolute Perfection connected by two Zi Wu bridges. The mini-gate serves as barrier because they are not allowing any tourist to walk inside the pagoda.

 

A closer look on its perfection.

There is a Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery that houses some of important mini-wooden archetype related to chinese regime.

 

The copious trees surrounding the garden gives any visitors an intimate session of relaxation.

As you can see on my captured photo below, there is always a better way of introducing a green park amidst metropolitan neighborhood.

While following a one-way route, we ambled on Xiang Hai Xuan means a house embracing a sea of fragrance hedge with a courtyard of lawn grass.

Our simple way of taking rest under a Tang architectural-inspired roof.

Continuing our journey with Lunar Reflection Terrace and Pagoda Tree Pavillion where we lounge a bit of fresh air overlooking the ponds with Koi and scenic view.

Another interesting feature of Nan Lian Garden is the gigantic rocks and artificial clouds formation that will left you in awe by merely staring on it.

Adjacent to Nan Lian Garden is another tourist spot in Hongkong- Chi Lin Nunnery. It is also inspired by Tang Dynasty and known for being large Buddhist monastic complex.

This is the Shanmen (first door) welcoming us in the first courtyard.

The Main Hall homes for 5 gilded Buddhas.

The Lotus Pond inside Chi Lin Nunnery.

One thing that I admired about this place is how they squeeze a historical tourist spot with a high-rise building as backdrop.

Another splendid Temple Hall where you may notice a meticulous wooden decoration visible on its facade. Would you believe that all buildings constructed inside the Chi Lin Nunnery didn’t use any nails. So impressive yet it’s true.

This is the Hall of Celestial Kings where you can find the statues of Buddha on every corner. We’re so grateful to visit this place without too many people around. We have all the time to observe the stillness of this religious shrine.

On our way back to Diamond Hill Station, we take a short stop to Plaza Hollywood to check what’s inside and a simple photo-op.

In case you will visit Hongkong soon, all this place are situated in single destination. It’s like hitting three birds in one stone. If you want to escape from the normal busyness of the city, then Nan Lian Garden, Chi Lin Nunnery and Plaza Hollywood is a perfect place to find tranquility.