Tian Tan Buddha
Religious sites often have an air of history. They evoke a period when monuments were constructed to honor Gods, rather than to glorify capitalism. Yet, Hong Kong and its surrounding islands are actually quite young. This Big Buddha, perched on a hill beside scenic Ngong Ping Village, was only constructed from 1990 to 1993, making it a much more contemporary destination.
Don’t let its youth dilute the significance however. The size of the statue is meant to evoke an understanding of Buddha’s wisdom - the only way that it can be represented is through a larger scale than that of a normal human. The stairs also put the onlooker below the Buddha, giving a sense of humility (and, more directly, a sense of one’s own physical limitations to make the climb!)
Yet, not everything is so serious. Many of the tourists there were happy to take a selfie, or give an affectionate high-five to the Buddha, similar to how people pose as if holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I have a feeling that somewhere, Buddha is smiling to see the positive energy that visitors take away from this journey in all its forms.
Shot on March 27, 2025 - Travel, Hong Kong
Photos taken with the Nikon Z9 and Z14-24mm f2.8 S, Z 24-70mm f2.8 S lenses