Tucked away in the hidden recesses of Wah Fu Estate’s Waterfall Bay, there lies a mystical collection known as A Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas.
A place where pirates once stopped for water supplies now serves as a retirement home for discarded deities.
How on earth did this “Idol Cemetery” come to be?
Well, it’s Hong Kong‘s deeply rooted belief that religious figurines should never be disposed of, even if already broken.
Instead, these once-revered objects were left by the roadside, sometimes becoming impromptu places of worship.
This tradition, mixed with a touch of serendipity, led to the formation of A Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas. But there’s definitely more to this place than it meets the eye.
Origin of the Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas
A former butcher, Mr. Wong Wing-Pong, stumbled upon this location during a walk, discovering a dozen statues that seemed to need care.
A sense of duty, mixed with reverence, prompted him to become the self-appointed caretaker of the place.
He started collecting abandoned statues, repairing them as needed, and adding them to the collection, which has grown into thousands over nearly two decades later!
The site’s popularity has expanded so much that people now bring their unneeded statues directly to Mr. Wong.
All the statues look out to sea, standing as a jolly congregation, welcoming anyone who so step into their abode.
Nowadays, it remains not just a curiosity but a spiritual haven for people of all walks of life.
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
Hong Kong can be a bit pricey and it was a bit difficult for me to find the right balance between comfort and affordability, but I was satisfied with my choice in the end. Here are some of my recommendations for Hong Kong:
Best Hotels in Hong Kong
- iClub Sheung Wan Hotel – this is where I personally stayed and found it to be within my budget, it’s modern, chic and quiet. The location is perfect as it was near plenty of restaurants and just a few meters away from the train station and the bus stop. Man Mo Temple is especially close. The bathroom was superb and the bed amazing after a day of exploration.
- Bishop Lei International House – boasts stunning city skyline views and offers an outdoor pool, fitness center, and free WiFi throughout the property. You can also enjoy the well-equipped gym, poolside sun loungers, and a quiet reading room.
- Four Points by Sheraton – offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms and complimentary bikes for your use. Each room is well-equipped with a flat-screen TV featuring satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Bed linen and towels are provided for added comfort.
Best Hostels in Hong Kong
- Ashoka Hostel – enjoy clean common areas and dorm lockers. Their licensed facility ensures safety, comfort, and affordability. Additionally, Ashoka Hostel offers discounted tickets for popular attractions like Ocean Park and Disneyland.
- Homy Inn North Point – comes with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, complimentary toiletries, and hairdryers. The hostel provides a welcoming 24-hour front desk service.
- Check Inn HK – offers complimentary water, local calls, Wi-Fi, and comfortable beds. Check Inn HK also offers various free services such as irons, computers, hair dryers, and adapters. To enhance the guest experience, the staff regularly organizes dim sum gatherings and hiking activities.
How to Get to the Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas
If you’re planning a visit to witness the incredible assembly of A Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas, the journey will lead you to Waterfall Bay Park, located within the bounds of Wah Fu Estate.
And if you need one, here’s my travel guide to Hong Kong.
This is actually a great opportunity to get two birds with one stone, as there’s another secret tucked away in Waterfall Bay Park.
Yep, you guessed it. A waterfall within the Hong Kong’s very own concrete jungle. Though there are plenty to find around Lantau Island and Tai O, it’s a bit more special finding one in the middle of the city.
Follow this step-by-step guide to make the most out of your trip:
1. Reach Wah Fu Estate
There are several ways to reach Wah Fu Estate:
- MTR: Take the MTR to Kennedy Town Station and then catch a bus or minibus going towards Wah Fu Estate.
- Bus: Several bus routes, including numbers 4, 30, and 40, travel directly to Wah Fu Estate from various parts of Hong Kong.
- Taxi: Taxis are available across the city and can take you directly to Wah Fu Estate. Simply tell the driver you’re headed to Waterfall Bay.
2. Chase the Waterfall
From Wah Fu Estate, make your way into Waterfall Bay Park. As you face the sea, you have two choices.
The right path takes you to the Waterfall and the left path takes you to the Idol Cemetery.
Whichever you choose is fine but for the sake of this guide, let’s go with the waterfall first.
To find the waterfall, you have to keep going east until the end of the park where you will see that the path has been barricaded off.
This is the trick, simply just go past the barricade and scale the fences, going down the stairs to reach a magnificent waterfall all to yourself. It’s a bit of a mini-hike, nothing compared to the Dragon’s Back in Shek O.
The locals all do this so it’s perfectly fine, I even saw some locals below admiring the waterfall and on the other side you’ll have the view of the sea.
And if you have an iPhone, you can take long exposure shots like the one above, photography composition really comes in handy as well!
From here, maybe you can meditate in preparation to meet hundreds of deities.
3. Find the Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas
After the Waterfall, simply go back up from where you came but this time heading left, and whenever possible to go further down, do so.
The first time I tried to find it, I couldn’t. Which is why I ended up with the Waterfall first. I tried again the second time and I was able to reach it.
If you’re still having a hard time you can refer this Google Maps link to find it as it doesn’t have an English name.
Once you get there, you’ll find idols from all religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and even a lucky cat! I felt so blessed to be in the presence of so many deities.
I found Ganesha, Guan Yin, Amitabha, and perhaps the moon goddess? All sorts of deities with all sorts of mudras, even from other countries!
Would this be considered as religious syncretism, I wondered as so many religions are co-existing in harmony.
Though it’s been really made apparent to me just how welcoming Cantonese culture is of various religious beliefs, probably due to how Hong Kong has always had exposure to global influences.
Plan Your Trip to Hong Kong | Best Travel Resources
Book Your Accommodations
- Booking.com – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
- Hostelworld – a backpacker’s best friend, Hostelworld has the largest collection of hostels and guesthouses for affordable prices.
Don’t Forget Insurance
- SafetyWing – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.
Find Cheap Flights
- Kiwi.com – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally.
Join Tours & Activities
- GetYourGuide – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.
Catch a Ride
- Rentalcars.com – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.
