Plans to build a Shaolin Temple have been unveiled, with the aim of bringing martial culture to Hong Kong to boost tourism.
The proposal, by the United World Chinese Association, would see the erection of a duplicate temple in either Tung Chung, North Lantau or Tong Yan Sun Tsuen, Yuen Long, executive director Carl Ching Man-kay said.
'It will be a bigger attraction than Disneyland,' he said.
'If I can't build the temple here I will take the concept overseas and build the structure in countries such as France and the US, where there is a lot of interest in Chinese wushu (martial arts).' He said the future temple would have three parts - an altar, a Chinese medicine division and a martial arts training school. The temple is expected to cost $200 million, with anonymous businessmen already promising to foot the bill.
More than 20 senior monks from the original temple in the mainland would be invited to host training and perform for tourists. Training fees would vary and initially the temple is expected to be able to train 1,000 students.
The plan is subject to approval by the SAR and Beijing governments.
