Here’s something you should definitely do if you’re going somewhere: double-check to make sure that it’s open.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Of course I do that. I’m not a moron.”
Uh… yeah, me too. I also check very obvious things like opening hours before I go somewhere.
Okay fine, I might have blown it on this occasion.
There are actually a couple of things to do at Fo Guang Shan, which is just outside of Kaohsiung. There’s the monastery, which is huge and impressive. And then there’s the main reason people come here: the Buddha Museum, a massive and (apparently) breathtaking compound that features the world’s tallest bronze Buddha statue.
I came on a Tuesday, and I got to see the monastery, at least. The Buddha Museum, on the other hand, was closed.
Instead of blaming my own stupidity, I’m going to blame Google for this one. When I asked it for directions to the Buddha Museum, it should have been like “hey doofus, it’s closed today!” But it just let me come here like a doofus.
Jerk move, Google. Jerk move.
Anyway, it wasn’t a total loss. The monastery was actually quite impressive to walk around, with some impressive statues of its own (though not the world’s tallest… grumble grumble), a bunch of picturesque buildings, and a reasonably expansive art gallery.
It was definitely a worthwhile place to visit, it just would have been nice to see the rest of it.
Address: No. 1號, Tongling Road, Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, 84049
How to find it: I took the E02 bus from Zuoying station. I think there are other buses that go there, but the E02 goes straight there with no stops, so it’s quite convenient.