FO GUANG SHAN MONASTERY

Fo Guang Shan, literally "Buddha's Mountain of Light", is a must-see monument located in Dashu, an hour's drive northeast of Kaohsiung. This monastery, the largest in Taiwan and one of the three most important in the world, attracts a million pilgrims every year. Founded in 1949 by Hsing-Yun, an eminent Buddhist master born in mainland China in 1927, the site is home to 800 monks and nuns. Nestled deep in the forest, its impressive architecture includes vast sanctuaries, meditation halls, a 1,000-person dining hall, libraries and dormitories. Fo Guang Shan is a major pilgrimage site in Taiwan, but is also open to tourists wishing to experience its serenity. Visitors can take part in calligraphy and meditation workshops, or share a ritual lunch in silence. At the entrance, a 36-metre-high statue of Amitabha Buddha, the largest on the island, is surrounded by 480 smaller, identical statues. The main sanctuary houses three 20-metre-high Buddha statues, representing different stages of prayer, illuminated by thousands of niches each containing a Buddha figurine. An on-site museum traces the life of founder Hsing-Yun, while explanatory tunnels illustrate the various stages of Buddha's life. There are also meditation gardens and a visitor center.