Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Kaohsiung (must see)

The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in Kaohsiung is an expansive cultural and spiritual complex dedicated to preserving Buddhist values through art, education, and humanistic experiences. Designed with influences from both Indian and Chinese architecture, the museum is home to the 40-meter-tall seated Fo Guang Big Buddha- Asia’s tallest of its kind.

At the heart of the museum’s mission is a commitment to preserving civilization and promoting Buddhist wisdom through various forms. The 48 Underground Palaces archive human history, while rotating international exhibits and academic conferences foster inter-museum collaboration and cultural dialogue. On-site galleries offer four permanent exhibitions on the first floor and an ever-changing showcase of global artworks on the second floor. The museum also champions life education, encouraging environmental awareness and cultural literacy for all ages, including through special features like the Sanhao Children's Museum and the Five Harmonies Pagoda.

Sculptural highlights enrich the visitor experience, from the golden Buddha statue gifted by Thailand’s 19th Supreme Patriarch to the intricate white jade Reclining Buddha from Burma. The Avalokiteśvara Shrine houses Loretta Yang’s glass masterpiece, a Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyes statue that exemplifies divine compassion, while Wu Jung-Tzu’s Eighteen Arhats and Eight Patriarchs animate the Bodhi Wisdom Concourse with spiritual vigor. Guests entering the Main Hall are also greeted by a massive camphor wood carving of the Buddha teaching the Dharma to 500 Arhats-a tribute to the museum’s deep artistic roots.

With free admission and barrier-free access, the Buddha Museum ensures hospitality is extended to all. Amenities such as a restaurant, a buffet, and boutique shops, including one honoring gold sculptor Wu Ching -add comfort and convenience to the visit.