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Cong Lin Reputed to be the largest Buddhist nunnery in Southeast Asia, the Cong Lin is at Chi Lin Nunnery (5 Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill MTR Station). The nunnery brings to life the artistic and architectural achievements of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) from more than 1,000 years ago. Constructed on an area of 33,000 sq. meters (355,000 sq. ft), the nunnery comprises a number of Buddhist halls serving various religious functions and a serene garden with lotus ponds in front of the man entrance. A Hall of Celestial Kings houses a statue of the Maitreya Buddha (Milofo), the Buddha of the future and a heavenly being who will descend to earth to save humanity. The statue is guarded by the Guardians of the Four Directions. On the left is a hall devoted to the goddess of mercy, Kuanyin, who sits inside a grotto. On the right is Baishiyaja Guru (medicine master) escorted by the Sun and Moon bodhisattvas, Buddhist redemption deities. The altar in the Main Hall is a shrine for the Sakyamuni Buddha. Cong Lin also has a nursing home and clinic for the elderly, a Buddhist library and research center, a souvenir shop, and a special school for dyslexia students. Sham Shui Po Sham Shui Po is an old district situated to the east of Mong Kok. It is a popular place for visitors who seek to discover the turbulent history of Hong Kong. At Sham Shui Po, visitors can see the development of Hong Kong's architecture from grim 'Phase-One' H-block resettlement estates, which were constructed in the 1950s, to clean, modern apartment blocks built in the 1980s. The area's police station is housed in one of the remaining colonial pre-war buildings in Kowloon. For a taste of the delicacies available in the area, try the Garden Bakery and Restaurant, which is located at the intersection between Yen Chow Street and Castle Peak Road. Lei Cheng Uk Housing Estate In 1956, a series of riots occurred at the Lei Cheng Uk Housing Estate, which is near Yen Chow Street and Castle Peak Road. This estate is now a museum that is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays. It is, however, closed on Thursdays. The estate is also home to amazing archeological discoveries that were made in 1955 by workers who were leveling the hillside from which the estate was built. The Lei Cheng Uk Tomb is a Han Dynasty burial vault over 2,000 years old. It was built during the times when Kowloon was under the administrative control of the Wu Empire, which controlled southern China and Hong Kong right after the collapse of the Han Empire. Four barrel-vaulted chambers form a cross under a doomed vault, and there are a few funerary exhibits on show. Apliu Street This is an open-air market selling all kinds of cheap electrical goods, from used stereos and computers to electric fans and clocks. Many of the latest compact discs, videos, laser disc players, Walkmans, and television sets are available. These goods are cheaper because they were imported directly from Japan instead of through an agent. Be wary of rip-offs though.
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