Nan Lian Garden is situated at Diamond Hill (MTR station with the same name), not far from the Hollywood Plaza. This garden is connected to the Chi Lin Nunnery so just grab a map at the garden's entrance and start your walk in this serenity. The garden occupies about a 35000 square meter area so to discover it thoroughly will be taking minimum 1.5 hours or more. It was very hot when we visited there, and it's really difficult to hide from the sun. But the Nunnery is open till 5pm so probably it's better to plan your visit at early morning.
The design of the garden is based on Jianghouju Garden of the Tang Dynasty in China, Shanxi Province with its traditional Chinese landscape.
So, this place is not an average garden where you can sit wherever you want and do whatever you like. I observed in many places in Hong Kong, that some guards are always there to warn you what are the rules of the place. Do not be surprised if the guard will suddenly shout at you that "No photos!" when you take out your camera. Or after your tiring walk you wanna sit down in the garden and the guard will not allow you to do so, moreover if you remove your slippers he will tell you to put it on! Haha! It sounds funny but this is what I have experienced there. On one hand I understand, they want to maintain a disciplined atmosphere almost everywhere, else people would be out of control. But on the other hand it can be uncomfortable and loses its relaxing garden feeling.
Their brochure says: " The Nan Lin Garden is a rare landscape garden of cultural value for quiet appreciation. It is preserved under strict modern management methods. The management wants to conserve together with the visitor, this unique Tang style landscape garden in Hong Kong so that it can exist forever in its entirety and become a world cultural heritage."
So when you enter the "Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery"( near the entrance), remember: no photos please! Else you will encounter with a small strict looking lady -can be seen in Chinese historical movies- who will jump there and tell you the rule!
The focal point of the garden, the "Lotus Pond, Pavilon of Absolute Perfection, Zi-Wu Bridge" was under reconstruction when we have been there.
After the Gallery, head towards the Nan Lian Rock which leads you to the Nunnery.
This Monastery has timber construction which is a perfect example of the ancient architecture of the Tang Dynasty.
"The layout of the Monastery is characterised by the open space and harmony between Heaven and Earth. The open space design inspires the 3-fold discipline of Buddhism(morality, concentration of mind and wisdom).
This complex, according to the design of the traditional Tang Dynasty Buddhist Monastery, faces south at the base of the mountain, and the front overlooking the sea.
Parts of the Monastery: Main Halls, with the concept of "One Court Three Yards and Three Doors".
The Nunnery gives home for the elderly, a cultural centre and a secondary school too.
Inside the Main Hall photo can not be taken, but there you can find the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with Bodhisattva Manjusri at his left and Bodhisattva Samantabadra on his right.
The other parts of the Garden:
The Mill, opposite the Dragon Hall. A theme on farm life centred on the water mill.
Thatched Pavilion located at the center of the Garden:
Just now I see the rules of the Garden on the brochure I took from there..
Here are some:
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| Entrance, Black Lintel Gate |
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| Entrance |
The design of the garden is based on Jianghouju Garden of the Tang Dynasty in China, Shanxi Province with its traditional Chinese landscape.
So, this place is not an average garden where you can sit wherever you want and do whatever you like. I observed in many places in Hong Kong, that some guards are always there to warn you what are the rules of the place. Do not be surprised if the guard will suddenly shout at you that "No photos!" when you take out your camera. Or after your tiring walk you wanna sit down in the garden and the guard will not allow you to do so, moreover if you remove your slippers he will tell you to put it on! Haha! It sounds funny but this is what I have experienced there. On one hand I understand, they want to maintain a disciplined atmosphere almost everywhere, else people would be out of control. But on the other hand it can be uncomfortable and loses its relaxing garden feeling.
Their brochure says: " The Nan Lin Garden is a rare landscape garden of cultural value for quiet appreciation. It is preserved under strict modern management methods. The management wants to conserve together with the visitor, this unique Tang style landscape garden in Hong Kong so that it can exist forever in its entirety and become a world cultural heritage."
So when you enter the "Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery"( near the entrance), remember: no photos please! Else you will encounter with a small strict looking lady -can be seen in Chinese historical movies- who will jump there and tell you the rule!
 |
| Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery |
The focal point of the garden, the "Lotus Pond, Pavilon of Absolute Perfection, Zi-Wu Bridge" was under reconstruction when we have been there.
After the Gallery, head towards the Nan Lian Rock which leads you to the Nunnery.
This Monastery has timber construction which is a perfect example of the ancient architecture of the Tang Dynasty.
"The layout of the Monastery is characterised by the open space and harmony between Heaven and Earth. The open space design inspires the 3-fold discipline of Buddhism(morality, concentration of mind and wisdom).
This complex, according to the design of the traditional Tang Dynasty Buddhist Monastery, faces south at the base of the mountain, and the front overlooking the sea.
 |
| The first entrance to the Main Hall |
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| Marble "Sutra Pillars" |
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| Long corridor |
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Parts of the Monastery: Main Halls, with the concept of "One Court Three Yards and Three Doors".
- Hall of Celestial Kings,
- Hall of Bhaisajyaguru (Master of Medicine),
- the Hall of Alokiteshvara,
- Bell Tower,
- Drum Tower,
- Reception Hall,
- and the Hall of the Ancestors.
The Nunnery gives home for the elderly, a cultural centre and a secondary school too.
Inside the Main Hall photo can not be taken, but there you can find the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with Bodhisattva Manjusri at his left and Bodhisattva Samantabadra on his right.
The other parts of the Garden:
The Mill, opposite the Dragon Hall. A theme on farm life centred on the water mill.
 |
| The Mill |
Thatched Pavilion located at the center of the Garden:
 |
| House built at the waterside |
Just now I see the rules of the Garden on the brochure I took from there..
Here are some:
- no shouting
- no eating and drinking(except water and feeding babies)
- no photography with tripod(hmm)
- no climbing on rocks
- no picking of flowers and plants...etc
This place is beautiful, so it's definitely worth a visit! Enjoy!
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