Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery Stairs: What to Expect

Expect roughly 430 steps from the foot of the path to the main level of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin. Most guides quote 431, and there are about 69 more to the upper terrace. Hundreds of life-size golden arhat statues line the way. Most reasonably fit visitors take 15–30 minutes to climb with photo stops, and 1.5–2 hours for the whole visit from Sha Tin Station. The climb is steep, humid in summer, and there is no lift. Snapshot checked 2026-10-08. Confirm on the day.

Climbing with kids? Read the stairs warning here and the family overview on temples with kids.

Golden arhats, halls, and monkey and stairs tips: Ten Thousand Buddhas — what to expect (deep stairs count stays on the stairs guide).

How many steps? (approximate counts)

  • Foot of path to the main terrace: roughly 430 steps. 431 is the figure most local guides repeat. Treat it as approximate, not an official count.
  • Main terrace to the upper terrace: roughly 69 more steps.
  • Surface: stone and concrete steps, uneven in places. Several guides note a paved slope running alongside parts of the stairway. It is still steep.
  • Rest points: there are spots to pause on the way. Stop wherever you need to.

The golden arhats on the way up

The climb is the attraction. Around 500 gilded arhat figures, added in the early 2000s according to local reports, sit on both sides of the stairway. Each has a different face, pose or prop. Some are serene, some comic, some holding animals or everyday objects. Spotting the oddest one is half the fun. Please don’t climb on, lean on or pose with hands on the statues.

What you reach: main terrace and upper terrace

  • Main terrace: the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall (Man Fat Din), its walls lined with thousands of small Buddha figures, plus the red nine-storey pagoda and large bodhisattva statues. Both the hall and the pagoda are Grade III historic buildings, per the Hong Kong Tourism Board listing.
  • Upper terrace: a quieter cluster of halls and pavilions. The monastery’s own introduction lists halls including Amitabha, Kwun Yam, Chun Tai and Jade Emperor halls, plus Kwun Yam and Wei Tuo pavilions. It is worth the extra climb if your legs allow. Check that the stairs are open on the day, because sections may be fenced for upkeep.
  • Pagoda interior: sometimes closed. Treat going inside as a bonus.

Time needed

  • Climb only: about 15–30 minutes to the main terrace at a steady pace with photos.
  • Whole visit: about 1.5–2 hours from Sha Tin Station and back, including halls, pagoda and the upper terrace.
  • Quick look: about an hour if you skip the upper terrace.
  • Hours: the official site lists 9:00am–5:00pm daily. Start the climb by mid-afternoon. For the walking route and the Po Fook Hill wrong turn, see how to get to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.

Fitness, heat and kids

  • Fitness: if you can manage several flights of stairs with rests, you can do it. Visitors with knee, heart or breathing concerns should think carefully. There is no lift, shuttle or road access for visitors.
  • Wheelchairs and strollers: not practical. Carry small children in a carrier instead.
  • Kids: older children usually love the statue hunt. Hold hands near drops and keep snacks out of sight.
  • Heat: go soon after opening in summer. October–February is the most comfortable season. Bring more water than you think. The old vegetarian kitchen closed in 2018, per the monastery, and only drinks are offered.
  • Shoes: wear ones with grip. Steps can be slippery after rain. The monastery closes under Typhoon Signal No. 8+ or a Black Rainstorm Warning.

Monkeys on the hillside

Wild macaques are regularly reported along the path and around the terraces. Follow the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s general advice: don’t feed them (feeding wild animals is illegal in Hong Kong), don’t eat in front of them, keep plastic bags inside a backpack, avoid staring or loud noise, and keep your distance. If one comes close, stay calm and move away slowly.

Etiquette on the climb

  • This is a place of worship. Keep voices low near the halls and give way to people praying.
  • Follow any no-photo signs inside halls, and ask before photographing people.
  • The monastery’s rules ask visitors not to bring meat or fish as offerings, and not to burn candles near the niches.
  • Stay behind barriers. Parts of the site may be closed for upkeep.

Plan the rest of your Sha Tin day

Hong Kong temple gifts

Hong Kong Temple Gifts pieces are Hong Kong–packaged temple. They make a meaningful keepsake of your temple visit. Browse the Gift Shop or Top Sellers after your visit.

FAQ — Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery stairs

How many steps are there at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery?

Roughly 430 steps to the main terrace (431 is the number most guides quote), plus about 69 more to the upper terrace. Counts are approximate, not official.

How long does it take to climb the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery stairs?

Most reasonably fit visitors take 15–30 minutes to the main terrace with photo stops. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the whole visit from Sha Tin Station.

Is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery climb hard?

It is steep and can be hot and humid, with some uneven steps, but there are places to rest. Take it slowly, wear shoes with grip and bring water.

Is there a lift or road to the top of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery?

No. There is no lift, shuttle or visitor road access, so wheelchairs and strollers are not practical. Che Kung Temple is a flatter Sha Tin alternative.

Are there monkeys at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery?

Wild macaques are often reported on the hillside. Do not feed them (it is illegal), keep food and plastic bags out of sight, avoid staring and keep your distance.

Is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery OK for kids?

Older children who like a climb usually enjoy the golden statues. Hold hands near drops, use a carrier instead of a stroller for little ones, and keep snacks hidden from monkeys.

What is on the upper terrace of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery?

A quieter group of halls and pavilions, including Kwun Yam and Jade Emperor halls according to the monastery’s introduction. Check that the stairs are open on the day.

Which Hong Kong Temple Gifts pieces make a meaningful keepsake of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery?

Our Hong Kong–packaged temple gifts — taken to temples for chanting — fortune wheels, red cords and wind-spinner motifs — echo the golden arhat path and climb to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, so they make a meaningful keepsake of your visit. Browse the Gift Shop or Top Sellers.