Fo Guang Shan

Fo Guang Shan is located in Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, and is Taiwan's largest Buddhist monastery. It was founded by Master Hsing Yun, who aimed to promote 'Humanistic Buddhism.' In 1967 (the 56th year of the Republic of China), he led his disciples through hardships, building Fo Guang Shan brick by brick, making it the most popular and renowned sacred site among devotees in Taiwan. However, due to the large number of long-term visitors, the monks' spiritual practice was severely affected. Therefore, in 1997 (the 86th year of the Republic of China), the mountain was closed, prohibiting tourists from entering, and only opening briefly during the Lunar New Year. Recently, to boost prosperity and enhance leisure culture in the southern region, Fo Guang Shan reopened its gates on New Year's Day in 2001 (the 90th year of the Republic of China) and is now open daily, except for Mondays. Beyond its main temple buildings, the most distinctive feature of Fo Guang Shan is the Great Buddha Land, which serves as its landmark. It is surrounded by 480 small golden statues of Amitabha Buddha, creating a majestic scene. Additionally, the Buddhist Cultural Relics Museum houses thousands of artifacts from various countries and eras, making it worth a visit if you have the chance to go up the mountain. From Lunar New Year to the Lantern Festival, Fo Guang Shan experiences its most lively season. The entire mountain is adorned with lanterns, transforming into a sea of lights after nightfall, creating a bustling and festive atmosphere. Visitors can seize this opportunity to ascend the mountain, enjoy the lanterns, and explore.