Shaolin Temple, the home of the kung fu monks, plans to build a branch temple in Hong Kong to promote Shaolin culture.

The 50,000-square-meter Hong Kong Shaolin Temple is expected to cost 420 million yuan (US$61.46 million) with a traditional kung fu institute, pagodas, steles and an amusement park, Orient Today reported.

The temple in Hong Kong will help residents practise Kung Fu, spread the teachings of Buddha and attract tourists, Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple at SongShan Mountain in central Henan Province, and Shi Yan, from its Hong Kong office, told a press conference on Friday.

Hong Kong is considering the proposal, a Special Administrative Region government official said.

Eric Tsang Chi-wai, the Hong Kong actor, director, producer and television host said he would raise money for the project with the help of other actors.

The Shaolin Temple has set up an office in Hong Kong to provide training.

Late last year, Shaolin monks went to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, and took over the management of Tuzhu, Fading, Miaozhan and Guanyin temples.

Shaolin has also expanded into film production, e-commerce and kung fu shows.

(Shanghai Daily February 23, 2009)