I went here about a year ago. This is such a beautiful temple inside and out. It located on top of this small mountain where you can get a nice view of the city below. You can almost feel at peace immediately upon entering this place. The overall landscape and Buddha statues around the temple are beautiful. They also have a gift shop and a Buddha museum that display some interesting artifacts and statues. Even if youre not of Buddhism faith, I think you should give this place a visit because the site can feel pretty enlightenment. :)

Amazing place for inner peace and art work. My family and I drove all the way from San Diego to come see it and definitely worth it. Were not the same religion but everyone there is welcoming and nice. After our post more friends would love to come visit. They also have mini gift shop and food place.

What a beautiful and stunning temple. I dont know much about Buddhism and the history. But walking into this beautiful temple was a wonderful experience. You can not deny of peaceful and kind everyone you encounter. I love the you can just wander around there is so much to see and experience.What I really loved most was the museum. Do not miss the museum and make sure you make a donation when you enter the museum.I highly encourage talking with the people who work here. I spent 3 hours here and still felt there was more to experience . I was a little intimidated and missed out in the unique way that you can pray. But I really enjoyed the atmosphere and architecture of the temple.

Great temple staffed with great volunteers. The art here is amazing and comes from generous donors all over the world. There is an exhibit where they showcase great art from children from neighboring schools. This temple offers classes so if you stop by be sure to ask a volunteer what classes are offered. When you visit please leave a donation anything helps.

Wonderful experiences Very helpful staff Great food if you stay for lunch So much peace and tranquility

We hiked to the Temple and were amazed at how big it was. Inside it is very peaceful and beautiful! They were decorating for the Chinese New Year and so it looked especially beautiful. You can not enter the main Shrine with shorts or a tank top. They have a restaurant on site... we will have to come back to try it.

Beautiful and wonderful gem in Hacienda Heights area. Beautiful place to just go and take in the beauty of it all. Especially if you like to meditate. My family and I did a nice prayer to the Buddhas in the Main Shrine. It was blissful for me at least to say. Words cant really describe this place you all need to come and see it for yourselves. Dress nice and be respectful to there domain. Its just being a great humanitarian. Blessings to all and Namaste.

Beautiful temple. They really take the time to answer your questions, teach you, and guide you through everything. Many areas to explore. Theres a mini museum of Buddhas, a room that changes every year from things all over the world, and two water fountains. In the room upstairs with the major Buddhas, theres at least 42,500 medium Buddhas decorating the walls. Please take your time and ask as many questions as you need. Its worth visiting at least once a year.

Amazing place! So peaceful and quiet! People are so nice and friendly, welcoming you with a smile on their faces!

Beautiful and peaceful place. If you close your eyes for a moment and then you open it again, once inside the temple you will think to be in China. Great meditation experience. They also have an healthy food services with only vegetables based recipes. Highly recommended. It worth every single second.

Nice peaceful place. Took an out-of-state visitor here and she loved it. We went Wednesday and there was parking and had many chances to do everything. Theres free tea in the visitor center.

My wife and I had an amazing time this afternoon touring hsi lai temple !The atmosphere is very calm and relaxing ! Also the temple is in scenic location a little above the city ! Gives you a sense of peace allows you to disconnect from the world for a moment to appreciate life . Thanks for building this awesome place and allowing outside visitors to visit

Always beautiful. Extra nice when they have decoration for lunar new year. They opened a lot then they used to.

Buddha temple created by chinese migrants in the oriental style

Cool temple you really learn a lot there about the culture and everything it also has a really cool view

This place is really Awesome so peaceful and serene we had lunch it was very tasty fresh ingredients and natural highly recommend

What a great experience. Is so rewarding in Hacienda Heights. The vegetarian lunches so delicious.

Love this place first time coming here, and omg is surprisingly amazing beautiful, good memories. And so much history. Definitely go again.

What a beautiful place to be during the festive Chinese New Year. Free to enter, enjoy!*Tip*. Park at the plaza on Colima and Hacienda. Near impossible finding upper parking during the weekend of Chinese New Year, and theres a long line of cars to enter. Park in the plaza and its only a short walk.*Tip*. During Chinese New Year, they have shuttles from Puente Hills Mall that will bring you to the temple.

Great place of history about Buddha. Well maintained and very courteous staff. There is a dining room that has vegetarian lunch buffet for a reasonable dollar amount. They also serve free tea at their guest service room.

We had great times visiting the temple.

Was beautiful and Zen. Tours available. Free to go and park. Buffet offered during specific hours 8$ also have food and books and things for sale.

Beautiful working Buddhist temple and place of interest to visit. welcoming regardless of your religious affiliation. free to visit and many community events open to the public. guides available in English and Chinese (and maybe other languages). small Buddhist museum and other special exhibits for an additional fee. also a yummy Chinese style vegetarian lunch buffet available daily.

It was very peaceful and quiet there. It isnt a typical tourist attraction, but a point of interest, so no crowds. Most of the people there were worshippers but there are also people working there to answer questions - but not all speak English. Although it is an operating temple they never make you feel that you are intruding and you can stay as long as you please. Not a place for people who cannot be respectful and quiet though.

Enlighting! Beautiful well worth a visit. Vegi buffet.

Amazing Temple in a beautiful hill. There are regular events happening weekly, everything from offering ceremonies, yoga, retreats and guided meditations. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to grow spiritually or even to just visit as a guest.

This is a really cool Buddhist temple. What makes it unique is its location because its right in LA. When youre there, you really feel like youre in China. They have incense sticks that you light and then say prayers. I really enjoyed my time there and hopefully you will too.

Beautiful and authentic temple. A little piece of China in the middle of Hacienda Heights. Worth the visit.

One of the most beautiful pieces of Asian Architecture in SoCal, very beautiful place. Lots to learn about anyone can go regardless of religion, all the people here are very respectful. I do not see how anyone can give this place a lower then 5 star rating. It is a place of worship, a place of tranquility, and a place of beauty. Really encouraging anyone to take a trip down and just experience the amazing culture and traditions.

Its got several interesting classes but New year decoration was not taken down since forever... its getting a darker ambiance... Vegetarian lunches start at 1130.

Great experience. We enjoyed the vegetarian buffet and reasonably priced.

This was the first time visiting a temple. It is beautiful the members of the temple were helpful with providing information, and informed us about the opportunity for a self guided tour. The is a bulletin board of English lessons on buddhism and other educational pieces.

The buildings, views, statues, and beautiful gardens are just a small part of the experience open to all. We ate lunch in the large clean cafeteria, the food was very good. The experience was very pleasant and enlightening. I just wish that we had more time to explore and learn.

Good place to visit for all people who wanna learn more about Chinese Traditional Buddha :)

It was my first time at a Bhuddist temple, my girlfreind and I are Christian though she is Vietnamese and has been before. I had a great time, the place was beautiful, and interesting.

Very welcoming, and peaceful place. The volunteers can answer most questions, and can explain the etiquette of the temple. Feel free to ask and dont be shy! All are welcome!

This place was very nice Tour, bookstore, dining room and everything

I come here every Lunar New Year to pray and take photos. It is super crowded in the first and 2nd day so I recommend that you guys go one week before the Lunar New Year. Awesome place to come with family.

Overall a great place to visit. It’s very well organized and the snake they prepared for guests is very sweet and pretty. It’s very impressed that how the founder spent ten years for getting this place built. Service there is also very nice, people are very friendly and helpful.

They have a vegan cafeteria during lunch time, 8 dollars per person and it’s “all you can eat”!

This is the place I used to pilgrimage. The entire temple is solemn and clean. A convenient way to show the Buddhas compassion. When you have used your vegetarian meal in Zhaitang, you will feel how compassionate and beneficial to you. Namo Amitabha!

Our visit to His Lai Temple was somewhat of an afterthought. We took a day trip from LA to visit The Workman and Temple Family Homestead museum. We then stopped off at the Puente Hills Mall, which is Twin Pines Mall from Back to the Future. Looking at what else was around us, we decided to check out the His Lai Temple and am SO glad we did! It is breathtaking! The view up there is amazing and the first structure you get to is UNREAL! I thought that was it... but nope! You walk around the corner and then there is ANOTHER temple that dwarfs the first one! Im as atheist as they come, so this wasnt a religious experience for me, but the beauty here is such that anyone can appreciate. There is plenty to do for all ages, and we didnt come close to taking advantage of all of it. We basically walked around to see what there is to see. The largest temple is unreal. They halve multiple cool fountains. There is a tea room and gift shop.I think its important to know that they are open for the public and visitors are TOTALLY welcome. Ive been a bit hesitant to visit some of the cool temples around at the risk of seeming like an intruder or outsider, but this place is TOTALLY welcoming and I think the tourist really help them out. Dont be afraid... check it out! They are kid friendly (within reason... we prepped our 4 year old, telling him that this whole place was a like a library and you need to be quiet and respectful - and it worked)! Check it out!

The best place to be in peace...

Another breath taking temple in east LA County. Just beautiful! The art work in the complex make the temple look like a museum, you would feel like yourself in China. It’s a peaceful place, there are several different events taking place in the sides halls, worth to check them out as well. My personal favorite were the statues put in the sides of the main temple, the ones near the dinning hall, really work of art and perfection. Parking could get little challenging though.

A must visit if you are a Buddhist, and good place to relax for anyone else.The museum is very nice, has some rare collection.Also, a charity donation will bring blessing to you and family.

The place is Crowded most of time especially weekend and event days. However you can always find a place that brings you inner peace during your visit.

Very quiet and peaceful Buddhist temple. Worth a visit.

Always a great place to visit. Very friendly and peaceful atmosphere. One of the nicest temples locally. Love the gift shop and variety of jewelry and teas available. This is a nice temple to learn and introduce self to the Buddha teachings and lifestyle. I have not had the vegetarian buffet but I have heard great things about how yummy it is!

I like the place. You can spend time with your family..

Nice and quiet place to relax and meditate. Lots of things to see and learn. You can take photos of outside exterior structures and sculptures. Photos and video is strictly prohibited for indoor shrines.

I consider Hsi Lai Temple as my second home. Everyone there are nice, helpful, courteous to me and always with the smile. A place where, I find inner peace and I feel secure. I made it a habit to say Good Morning or Nihao to people I meet and they respond to me with a big smile. I like making people smile, it brightens our day. I like the delicious food they serve at the Dining Hall. We chant together before our meal as part of the community and that makes me feel good. Im no longer a loner I belong to something more meaningful. Be nice to one another, do good thing(s) everyday, practice the teaching and so on.

Really peaceful environment. Beautiful architecture. And great friendly volunteers at the information center to help you out.

Great place to visit and ease your mind with great view!

Beautiful temple came here for their anniversary. The atmosphere is very tranquil. Peaceful. Nobody judges you here, their so welcoming. They have a museum, a tea shop and many services they offer. Definitely worth seeing this beautiful jem hidden within the canyon. Even if ur not Buddhist its a great place to learn about Buddhist culture*)

I love this temple:) everyone here is so very kind and respectful. It is definitely a place of peace and tranquility. There is so much information, culture, and it is a beautiful location in general. The monks make vegan lunch every day, between certain hours, and it is very tasty. Definitely stop by, but please be respectful

This is amazing, something you have to experience for yourself

Big temple with a lot activities. There is a Chinese school on-site so it attracts a lot children and parents on weekends.The temple sits on of a hill with a beautiful overlook. When we visited, the parking lot is almost full because of the Chinese school and worshipers.

Usually come here every year during Chinese New Year. The crowds during this time of the year are insane! Bad traffic and have to park offsite to take a shuttle into the temple. However, to our surprise this year, this temple was super empty and managed to park inside of the parking lot! This is a beautiful temple and highly recommend anyone to come check it out. It is beautifully decorated for the new year. If you dont like crowds, I would recommend coming before or after the new year.

A nice temple up in the hills in Hacienda Heights, came a week before Chinese New Years with friends and family to check it out and it was worth the stop, pleasant views of the mountains up north and you could walk around throughout the temple and look at many things.

Its very nice and big with lots of spiritual essence. All the people who work or volunteer there are very kind. Its a bit of a hike, but there are a few elevators that can help your grandparents. Probably the biggest temple Ive been to.

Big place with lots of things to discover. Parking is plenty on weekdays. They serve buffet lunches at 8 bucks per person. Excellent place for taking pictures.

We visited once or twice in a year. Beautiful view, nice fresh air, so much relaxing, peaceful.

Beautiful place and nice people. Really good to visit.

Awesome place. I recommend the self guided tour w/ audio! The staff is extremely helpful and nice.

Very well kept temple, even offering special arrangements for day of Chinese new year. Free shuttle bus to alleviate parking congestion and longer operating hours.

A great for spiritual refreshing, life learning, and a fun place to go on special occasions such as Lunar New Year

Beautiful New Year Celebration

Very beautiful temple. It feel like your in another country. A must visit when visiting Los Angeles.

My family came to Hsi Lao Temple for their Lunar New Year lantern festival. Although there was a lot less people this year due to the Coronal Virus’s scare, everyone was warm and welcoming to English speakers at the peace prayer fest. The master at the temple prayed for world peace and prosperity, and wellbeing for our people. It was very nice.

I got full of peaceful during in this temple,the atmosphere calming me. So fantastic experiences in here. God bless us.

Peaceful and spirituous place. Nice to visit around when you have spare time and are in Hacienda Heights or in the neighbourhood. The tenants are welcoming and kindly guide you through the temple.The view from the arch is fairly good and there is no difficulty reaching the entrance. Everything is free or based on donation which makes it less touristy than any other places around.

Its a nice temple. If you need peace for sometime then its the best place. Its on the hill so you get a nice view of city. They also have lunch buffet which is vegetarian.

Beautiful temple and has nice relics and individuals are really helpful

It was great. I never thought that world had such kind of beauty present near us. It was not just a temple, it was God’s home, pleasant place, traditional and has its prestigious architecture preserved. It has an amazing helping staff. They are so kind and great. I came first time and they never made me realized that i was helpless. Great place to visit.

Really beautiful grounds! A hidden gem! There are so many places on the grounds to meditate quietly. The vegetarian buffet was amazing! The best chinese noodles Ive ever had! I will absolutely go back.

A Serene Buddhist Temple that offers a place to relax and meditate as well as Burn incense to the gods. As well as a place to make wishes and prayers.

Very peaceful place to visit this temple makes you feel like your in China the parking is free the entrance is free there are donation boxes to help maintain the temple

Beautiful temple in an absolutely gorgeous location. This is one of the most underrated places to visit in the Los Angeles area. I love it. So peaceful and friendly people here who help keep this place in good shape. I did the tour which was free and Im so glad I did. There is a lot to learn about Buddhism and this temple. If youre not interested in that, at least come for the beautiful architecture and views of Hacienda Heights.

Amazing peaceful place to visit. I’d like to come back here to have more time.

I grew up coming here but ran into a problem this week. We had a larger group of people arrive on bicycles. They werent very good at communicating with us even though we called/emailed them about possibly finding a place to park our bikes.Keep in mind we brought over 60 people on bikes. If we all drove, that would equate to at least 20-30 vehicles/parking spaces. We could easily park within 3-4 parking spaces or the many empty lots around the parking area. Oddly enough, they said those spaces/areas do not belong to the temple. So they belong to L.A. County Parks and Recreation (the temple runs right next to the Portola Hiking/Biking Trail)?Out of respect for the temple regardless of the lack of communication, we parked downhill and walked up. However, about a dozen rode up to see if they can lock up their bikes.They were all told to leave and that bicycles are not allowed. What? This is a parking lot. Their reasoning is that they cannot be held responsible for the bicycles. Well, whats the reasoning behind allowing cars?Ive lived overseas and have biked to temples in China. Its a form of sustainable and healthy transportation. Many people cannot afford to drive a car so a bicycle is another option.It seems that the decision for multiple security guards to come over to tell families and visitors to just leave is not what comes to mind when I visit a place of worship. Its not that I am upset that they dont like people on bikes, Im just unhappy to know that a place of worship that I attend very often thought it was a good idea to turn away visitors without looking at amicable resolutions. It was just easier to tell people to go away.The temple itself already brings tons of traffic and congestion on Hacienda Blvd during holidays. Our goal was to get there on bikes so that we dont contribute to traffic, pollution, and parking issues. Hsi Lai Temple prides themselves in being sustainable, simple, and compassionate. I felt like their reaction to us was not a reflection of that at all.I hope the temple staff review this policy but I seriously doubt it. We all went there to learn more about Chinese culture, Buddhism, and to dine at the buffet. I have since emailed my concerns to the staff via Facebook and email. I have yet to receive any acknowledgement or response.

This place is absolutely amazing. It is a huge temple, and there are lots of things to see. This is a traditional Buddhist monastery and there are plenty of monks who live there. They also have an art gallery with new exhibits every few months. Ive been coming to this temple since I was a kid and its always a great experience.

Consisted of two halls, plus a Pagoda like building for placement of dead relatives name tags. Very nice halls. Facilities keep very clean.

I always go to this temple every New year, they have pretty decorations, the only down side is that they dont have lots of parking

Special day on January 1st, 2018. Great people, great food, great facilities and a SPECIAL treat:Hsi Lai Temple orchestra playing in the Main Shrine Definitely the best way to start the New Year If you didnt visit this great place, its a MUST to go

Happy Chinese New Years

Beautiful temple with a garden full of sculptures. Get parking outside since its always full. Cafeteria is about $10 and its vegetarian.

I discovered that place for myself in 2012 by accident driving on a narrow road and see something magnificent! It was build by Taiwanese monk and they have even more grandeur temple in Taiwan. Statues and artifacts were brought from all around the world. Working monastery which open for everyone to explore, relax, meditate, take yoga class. They have art gallery, tea room and vegetarian cafe. I in particular disliked food at that café, everything tasted overcooked and not fresh. But you dont go there for food but for spiritual guidance. Very helpful welcome center, if you first time visitor. They have Chinese school for children on the grounds of temple - for every child, not just for Chinese.

Best temple in the area, gets super busy with offsite parking so try getting here early or go later in the day. CNY draws a lot of visitors but the decor are extra nice and fun.

This temple is very big and beautiful. My friend drove me there and I love it

Its very beautiful and the people are so kind, I am a Christian but I respect others and so do they.

Its a beautiful place

Best place in SoCal that make you feel you are in China/Taiwan/HongKong. The building mimics the forbidden palace in China. It has a front shrine that honors the 5 bodhisatta, and a Main Sheine that honor 3 Buddha’s. Parking during weekends and holiday might be difficult but they always have off site parking lot if needed.

Beautiful temple. Nice layout and lots of stairs and walkable. We were there on a Chinese new year day, so its super crowded and cant drive up to the temple. Would love to go back.

Great place for spending peaceful time

One of the best Buddhist temples.

Big Buddhist temple in Los Angeles

It was such a beautiful place to go! Definitely a must if you’re in the area!

Fantastic place to Most of the volunteers & people who worked there are very friendly and helpful. However the dining is not good at all. I was first shocked someone asked me to pay instead of asking me for a donation especially it is written under the desk that all the donations are welcomed. Food is definitely not exceptional and pricy for a temple. I know we pay for supporting the place but I can’t stand well I was asked for money.

Visiting the temple was literally soul lifting for me. The feeling of peace and love is real! You can photograph anything outside of buildings but respect the sacredness of the Temple and Meditation center by not photographing inside the buildings. I wish I lived closer because I would visit regularly!

Very peaceful, very kind people and employees here