The Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden is a magnificent 535-acre temple complex in Cavan-Monaghan, near…read morePeterborough, Ontario. Managed by the Buddhist Association of Canada, it stands as the largest Chinese Buddhist site in North America. The grounds are inspired by the ancient Tang Dynasty. Strikingly, its massive wooden halls were constructed using traditional Dougong interlocking brackets entirely without nails. Visitors can explore the majestic Main Dharma Hall, serene walking paths, and beautiful thematic gardens surrounding Wisdom Lake. Replicating China's sacred Mount Wutai, this spiritual sanctuary serves as a peaceful haven for cultural exchange, meditation, and inner reflection

It is unbelievable that a location such as this is just 50 minutes north of Toronto! Spanning over…read more500 acres, the land in and around the Wutai Shan Buddhist halls and gardens has been cleared to place magnificent and massive statues and structures! It's a scale that is breathtaking and awe inspiring. Not only does the main hall stand as a giant on the center hill, but hills all around the hall are topped with golden statues of individuals key in Buddhist traditions. Rows upon rows of smaller statues - each unique - often surround the large statues to "protect" them. Inside the main hall, you will find the main prayer hall, snack counter, counter with prayer objects and protection mementos sold as a way to collect donations, relic room, and cafeteria with traditional Buddhist food (all vegetarian and without strong aromatics like onion and garlic). It is a truly powerful, impressive, spiritual location on the hill tops, and can be enjoyed by walking the ground or driving from shrine to shrine. It is an active religious site, and has that sense to it. It's not a tourist location trying to entertain its guests. We walked away astounded, inspired, and surprised in all the right ways. It is apparently continuously under construction as they keep expanding and adding to the grounds. A large portion below the smaller halls was being excavated for more structures and statue gardens, so expect a little of a mess as you make the drive up. There are also a few areas off-limits as the construction is being completed. Still very much worth visiting for the rest of the gardens however!