Opening day of Li Ka-shing's monastery sees visitors turned away and complaints about lack of food

The Tsz Shan Monastery has received an overwhelming number of reservations from visitors, yet some people still don't know they need to book and are being turned away at the door.

While around 400 people visited the monastery in Tai Po on its opening day yesterday, 10,000 more people will be going there in the coming month, taking up each day's 400-visitor quota. The group reservation list has been filled up until late September by 500 non-profit organisations. Group bookings have been closed and will reopen in July for visits in October.

To visit the HK$1.7 billion monastery, financed by tycoon Li Ka-shing, people must book by phone or online. However, some visitors found out booking was mandatory only when they reached the monastery gates.

"I knew booking was required, but I didn't know it was required for all 400 daily spaces," said Lee Che-cheung, 87, who travelled from Ma On Shan.

Some younger visitors were also puzzled by the booking system. Cinna Chan, a Buddhist, had hoped to see the Kwun Yum statue - the world's second tallest at 76 metres high - but was left disappointed.

"I thought people [without a booking] are allowed on the first day of opening," said Chan. She complained that information about the booking procedure was not clear enough.