An oasis in Kowloon
I don't think many of my Hong Kong friends have been to Nan Lian garden nor Chi Nin Nunnery. I didn't even know of its existence until I spoke to a friend in the U.S. and she mentioned her surprise when she saw a 'Kyoto-like' garden in the middle of Kowloon. Diamond Hill is not a touristy nor particularly interesting area, so I was also surprised to find out that the garden is located in an area full of housing estates.
Honestly, places like this garden and nunnery are rare in Hong Kong. It's always quite puzzling to see the Hong Kong tourism association promoting attractions such as Ocean Park or Disneyland to foreign tourists. Apart from tourists from Mainland China, I doubt Westerners are interested in going to Western theme parks here!
Nan Lian garden
Opened in 2006, the landscape garden is built in the classical style of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD to 907 AD). Although it is relatively new, it doesn't feel like 'Disneyland', the garden landscape is quite low-key and blends surprisingly well with the high rise backdrop. Walking through the garden, my attention turned to the fascinating plants, trees and rocks, which made me feel tranquil and calm (mind you, I was there on a weekday!). Besides, it's all free!
There are other facilities such as Chi Lin vegetarian restaurant (serving good seasonal food, best for mushroom l), a small cafe (serving surprisingly good coffee and pine nuts cookies), a souvenir shop (which sells interesting souvenirs), a tea house and exhibition halls.
Entrance of the garden, minutes from the MTR station
Chi Lin vegetarian restaurant behind the man-made waterfall
Tea house & Blue Pond
Watermill
Pavilion of Absolute of Perfection
Plants & rocks in the garden
Penjing Garden
The Rockery
Chi Nin Nunnery
The Nunnery was founded in 1934 but the rebuilting of the current temple complex started in 1992 and eventually completed in 2000. Based on the style and construction techniques of traditional Chinese architecture from the Tang Dynasty, special interlocking system was used instead of iron and nails. Unlike some traditional Chinese temples that are 'loud' and over-decorative, this temple complex is surprisingly subtle, tranquil and sophisticated. This has to be one of the most impressive Chinese temples that I have ever visited despite it being quite new. From its architecture style, I can see the Tang influence on Korean and Japanese Zen Buddhist temples... I think both the Nunnery and the landscape garden should be on the all tourists' itineraries! Simply remarkable!
Lotus pond
A view of Nan Lian garden from the Nunnery
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