I’ve been to this place twice, so here is the new travel guide going to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (2022).
Table of Contents
About Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
It is a Mahāyāna Buddhist cultural, religious, and educational museum situated in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum was formerly the Buddha Memorial Center. The largest Buddhist group in Taiwan, Fo Guang Shan, is connected to the museum.
The remarkable thing about this place is the 8 Pagodas representing different meanings and the giant Golden Buddha behind the Avalokiteśvara Shrine.
How to get to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is 350 kilometers away from Taipei City, and going there is a bit challenging. I will share the most convenient way on how to get to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum from Taipei City.
This is the method that I always use when going to Fo Guang Shan.
Take the THSR (Taiwan High-Speed Rail) from Taipei Main Station to Zuoying Station, then ride the Kaohsiung City Bus 8501 and get off at the Fo Guang Shan stop.
The travel time is 3 hours and 25 minutes.
In my case, I availed the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) Unlimited Tourist Pass (2 or 3 Days) in Klook since I also visited the Houli Flower Farm in Taichung, Taiwan.
Availing of this THSR Pass saved me a lot of money and time since it is a discounted price compared to if you are availing the ticket in the ticket booth at the train station.
Best Time to Visit Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
In the warmer season (April to November), daily maximum temperatures frequently reach or exceed 30 °C (86 °F), while in the cooler season, they do so at or below 25 °C (77 °F) (December to March).
Since Taiwan might experience powerful typhoons, I do not recommend that you visit during the rainy season (July to October).
I advise you to visit the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum during winter (December to March).
Restaurants in Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
There are numerous restaurants in this massive area of Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum where you can dine, and most serve vegetarian cuisines. There is a restaurant where you can only eat and pay for a donation. There is a buffet restaurant; you can also dine beneath a Buddha statue!
- Twin Pavilions Tea House: A golden building called The Twin Pavilions is situated next to a pond. Noodles in soup, fried noodles, fried rice, flaky scallion pancakes, and various side dishes are served at meals.
- Camphor Grove Waterdrop Tea House: Rice and noodle dish is served at this tea house, and customers can leave a donation of any amount they like in exchange. The modest tea house is an exceptionally cozy setting for a meal.
- Front Hall Water Drop Tea House: This tea house is close to the Front Hall’s entrance. Fried rice, Lima Bean Noodles, and Taiwanese-style Cold Noodles are also recommended foods.
- Front Hall 2F Buffet: A single meal ticket is required for this all-you-can-eat buffet. The buffet offers ten different dishes and two affordable and delectable soups.
- Chan Delight Vegetarian Restaurant: Serves vegetarian full-course meals that use seasonal, wholesome, and delectable foods on the second level of the Front Hall.
- Fo Guang Waterdrop Tea House: Taiwan’s sole dining establishment to be located beneath a Buddha statue is this Tea House. Many different types of food are available, including noodles, rice, Chinese dishes, pizza, veggie hamburgers, and flaky scallion pancakes.
Entrance Fee in Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Exploring Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is Free.
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum Operating Hours
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 9AM–6PM
- Thursday 9AM–6PM
- Friday 9AM–6PM
- Saturday 9AM–7PM
- Sunday 9AM–7PM
- Monday 9AM–6PM
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum Map
You can download the full map of Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum here.
How was the Experience?
I’ve been here two times already. I can say that this place is so magical, so unreal. It is like you are teleported into a different dimension.
The giant golden statue of Buddha Amitabha in the area, measuring about 120 meters, can be seen on the southeast side of Fo Guang Mountain (Guang Shan). The monastery is one of the things that makes this place amazing.
The symmetrical positioning of the eight pagodas, each of which stands for a distinct principle and philosophy. The walk toward the giant Golden Buddha while reading what’s inside the pagodas is a unique experience.
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