Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha Opening Hours

Po Lin Monastery opening hours are generally 9:00am–6:00pm daily, including public holidays, according to the monastery’s English visitors page (plm.org.hk/eng/visitors.php). The Tian Tan Big Buddha is typically open 10:00am–5:30pm daily (incl. PH), and the Vegetarian Kitchen 11:30am–4:30pm daily (incl. PH). Always verify on the day — festival arrangements can shift access. This page stays on hours, best time, and visit length; transport detail is in the how-to-get-there guide.

What the plateau feels like on arrival: Po Lin & Big Buddha — what to expect.

Hours at a glance (cite PLM — verified 2026-09-28)

• Tian Tan Big Buddha: Monday–Sunday (including public holidays) 10:00am–5:30pm.
• Po Lin Monastery: Monday–Sunday (including public holidays) 9:00am–6:00pm.
• Vegetarian Kitchen: Monday–Sunday (including public holidays) 11:30am–4:30pm.
• Outdoor visit: grounds / outdoor Big Buddha approach generally free within posted access.
• Address cue: Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping, Lantau Island.
• Contact (PLM listing): Tel (852) 2985 5248 · info@plm.org.hk.

Source: Po Lin Monastery visitors information (plm.org.hk/eng/visitors.php), checked 2026-09-28. Re-confirm before paste and before you travel. Prefer the monastery’s own EN visitors table over third-party early-open claims.

Best time to visit & crowds

• Calmest: weekday mornings soon after the monastery opens (9:00am), then climb after 10:00am when statue access begins.
• Busier: weekends, public holidays, and clear-sky cable days — expect queues at transport and the steps.
• Heat: earlier hours are kinder for the ~268-step climb.
• Kitchen timing: align with 11:30am–4:30pm and arrive with buffer on busy days.

A calm monastery stroll first, then the statue climb, works well — or reverse the order if you arrive after 10:00am and want softer light before lunch.

Free outdoor visit — what not to invent

Outdoor Big Buddha and monastery grounds are generally free within published hours. Exhibition areas, special tickets, or meal packages — when offered — confirm onsite. Donations and incense are optional through temple channels.

Ngong Ping 360 hours (mention only)

Cable-car windows differ from monastery hours and often split weekday vs weekend/PH schedules. Treat NP360 timing as a transport constraint — check np360.com.hk the morning you travel. For cable vs Bus 23 and suspension backups, use how to get to Big Buddha Hong Kong; this hours page stays off the hybrid transport deep-dive.

How long to stay

• Monastery + Big Buddha (no meal): often about 1.5–2.5 hours once you arrive.
• With Vegetarian Kitchen: add meal and queue time inside the kitchen window.
• With Village browsing: add soft time near the cable terminal.

Build Tung Chung → Ngong Ping travel separately (cable ~25 min + walk, or Bus 23 ~45 min, plus waits). Finish the climb with margin before Big Buddha’s typical 5:30pm close, and leave before the monastery’s 6:00pm window ends — verify both on the day.

Practical notes for the hours window

Bring water, sun protection, and comfortable shoes for stone courtyards and the ~268 steps. Step aside from incense smoke if you need air. Outdoor photography is the classic shot; follow any indoor hall limits and keep flash off near worshippers. Families with young children may prefer the cooler morning monastery window before the climb. If typhoon, rainstorm, or strong-wind signals affect Lantau transport, re-check both cable/bus status and whether you will still reach Ngong Ping inside opening hours — a late arrival that misses Big Buddha’s typical 5:30pm close is a common first-timer miss on busy days.

Transport — short link only

Need cable-car vs Bus 23 detail, Mui Wo / Tai O buses, or maintenance backups? See how to get to Big Buddha Hong Kong. This page does not duplicate the full route walkthrough.

Pair with the visit guide

For statue context, 268-steps tease, kitchen tease, etiquette, and honest gift notes, read the Big Buddha Hong Kong (Po Lin Monastery) visit guide.

Hong Kong temple gifts

Hong Kong Temple Gifts offers Hong Kong–packaged temple accessories. They make a meaningful keepsake of your temple visit. Browse the Gift Shop or Top Sellers when you are back in the city.

Plan more temple visits

Po Lin / Big Buddha visit guide · How to get there · Explore Hong Kong temples

Sister stops: Che Kung · Wong Tai Sin · Man Mo.

Also useful: Hong Kong temple hours on public holidays · incense etiquette · Wong Tai Sin + Chi Lin same day · explore Hong Kong temples

FAQ — Po Lin Monastery opening hours

What are Po Lin Monastery opening hours?

Typically 9:00am–6:00pm daily, including public holidays, per plm.org.hk/eng/visitors.php. Verify on the day.

What are Tian Tan Big Buddha opening hours?

Typically 10:00am–5:30pm daily, including public holidays. Confirm on the monastery visitors page before you climb.

What are Vegetarian Kitchen hours?

Generally 11:30am–4:30pm daily, including public holidays. Confirm last seating on the day.

Is Po Lin open on public holidays?

Yes — the PLM visitors table lists Monday–Sunday including public holidays for Buddha, monastery, and kitchen. Still verify around major festivals.

Is entry free?

Outdoor grounds and the Big Buddha approach are generally free within posted hours. Confirm any exhibition or meal charges onsite.

Should I arrive before 10:00am?

Yes if you want monastery courtyards first — monastery typically opens at 9:00am; statue access commonly begins at 10:00am.

Do cable-car hours match monastery hours?

Not always. NP360 posts its own schedule. Check np360.com.hk separately; use the how-to-get page for route backups.

Where is deep transport help?

On how to get to Big Buddha Hong Kong — this page keeps the timetable focus only.