Fo Guang Shan was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1967. Since then it has evolved from a mountain top bamboo forest to the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.


It is built on a hilly site. We took a slow, long climb to the various buildings. A map showing the routes to the various sites in the monastery.


The great Buddha statue (40m high) is surrounded by 480 small Buddha statues. The right hand is raised as a gesture of guidance while the left hand is lowered as a gesture of receiving.


There is a tea pavilon before entering Great Buddha Land. We stopped for a rest and have a sip of the refreshing tea. No cups, we drunk from tiny paper bags. :)


The grounds are very picturesque, and the monastery has a number of museums, shrines, and monuments to see.


It's an amazing place ....... so tranquil, so beautiful and the cheerful nuns and volunteers I met were ever so ready to help. 



The Four Verses of Fo Guang Shan

Outisde the main temple building Da Xiong Bao Dian

Some of the 500 monk statues .....

I was very excited when I saw Fo Guang Shan Monastery on my tour itinerary, I had seen the advertisement of its newly built majestic Buddha Memorial Center which opened on 25th December 2011. I wanted so much to see it for myself. Alas, the tour guide did not include the new building in our itinerary. *sob.....sob*

My hubby and I were invited to a food tasting session at Food Republic Beer Garden@ St James Power Station. It was our first time here and we like its open air environment.

I was told this place highlights the scene from the streets of Singapore in the 60s. There are 18 rustic-style pushcarts, truck stalls and kiosks selling all manner of Singapore hawker food. Around the beer garden, there are different eye-catching memorabilia which colour the area with nostalgia. I was amused at the bird cages strung up from lamp post to lamp post, antiqued bicycles and kerosene lamps.


Since it's the Chinese New Year season, our hosts have generously ordered a salmon yu sheng for us. It was an unique experience having a 'lo hei' under the stars.  


This beer garden easily seats close to 400 diners who would be surrounded by stalls serving up Singapore's most popular and delicious hawker fare.


Food Republic Beer Graden comes alive nightly with live entertainment from talented local bands. The lady vocalist belted out Chinese songs from the 70s while we ate. My husband and I enjoyed listening to the songs very much. The vocalist sings very well.


Besides the usual coffee and soft drinks, this Street Bar serves a large selection of bottled and international beers, a range of spirits, fine wine, champagnes, cocktails and mocktails. You can order Singapore's most beloved cocktail - the Singapore Sling here.

Some of the yummy eats :  











Our hosts were very hospitable, our whole table was laden with food from every food stall and we also get to takeaway some food.Thanks for a wonderful evening!

Food Republic Beer Garden
St James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway
Open daily : 6 pm to 5 am (Sundays - Thursdays)
                     6pm to 6am  (Fridays, Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays)