This Lantau Island one day itinerary is a must-go for people who want to explore the other side of Hong Kong. You can get out of the crowded, get closer to nature and learn more about the culture and history of Hong Kong. It covers the most iconic attractions including the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping and even the traditional Tai O Fishing Village.
The starting and ending points of this itinerary are both Tung Chung, which is just 3 MTR stations/30-minute bus away from Hong Kong International Airport. For tourists, I would recommend you arrange this day trip on the first or last day of your trip. You can store your luggage at Tung Chung Citygate Outlets or Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung Terminus. You can even enjoy the free in-town check-in service at Hong Kong Station or Kowloon Station on the MTR Airport Express Line!
Ngong Ping
How to get to Ngong Ping from downtown
By Cable Car:
The Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride itself is already an attraction. Named as one of the most amazing cable car rides by several media, the ride allows you to see the 360-degree view of the sky, land and sea scenarios. During the 25-minute ride, you can see the entire Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the Big Buddha, and more, from mid-air.
You can reserve the ticket online to save queuing time or just buy the ticket at Ngong Ping 360 Ticketing Offices. If you would like to take the crystal cabin (which I strongly recommend), book the ticket in advance because it is really popular and has limited supply. If you plan to go to Tai O, remember not to buy the round trip ticket!
By Bus:
Take New Lantao Bus route 23 from Tung Chung Bus Terminus to Ngong Ping. The travelling time is about 45 minutes.
I went to Ngong Ping from Mui Wo. So I took New Lantao Bus route 2 from Mui Wo pier to Ngong Ping, which took around 35 minutes. Mui Wo used to be a transport hub of the outlying islands and attractions, until now there is still bus serves that connect Mui Wo and tourist spots including Ngong Ping and Tai O.
Read more: Hiking in Hong Kong: A Day Trip from Mui Wo to Discovery Bay
Ngong Ping Village
No matter travelling to Ngong Ping by cable car or bus, the destination is still Ngong Ping Village. There are souvenirs shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities. I think that the restaurants there are not too special, I’d rather have my meal at the Po Lin Monastery (which I will introduce later) or before coming to Ngong Ping. So I did not spend much time at this culturally themed village.
The Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha)
After a 10-minute walk from Ngong Ping Village via Ngong Ping Piazza, you can see the Big Buddha. The Big Buddha has been one of the most iconic landmarks of Hong Kong since 1989. It is the second-largest sitting Buddha statue built outdoor. Visitors can climb up 268 steps to reach the three-storey pedestal to visit the Buddha and enjoy the boundless views of Lantau and South China Sea. This is my second visit to the Big Buddha and I visited the Buddha for the first time when I was still a kid. In my memory, it was a long climb and I was so tired. This time I finished the steps fast and at that moment I could feel that time flies.
*The Big Buddha is currently under large scale renovation. Areas in the vicinity of the Big Buddha statue have been closed since 2 June 2020.
Po Lin Monastery
Facing the Big Buddha, the Po Lin Monastery is a world-renowned Buddhist monastery. It was constructed in 1906 and renamed to its current name in 1924. After admiring the incredible architectural structures, I recommend you try the Vegetarian Kitchen at Po Lin Monastery. Even the Kitchen only offer vegetarian delicacies, they are so delicious. The General Meal costs HKD $110 per head while the Deluxe Meal costs HKD $150 per head. If you find the meals too expensive, head towards the Vegetarian Café which is next to the Vegetarian Kitchen. Beancurd dessert is a must-try. Fungus fried noodles can fill your stomach.
Wisdom Path
Wisdom Path is an outdoor large-scale wood carving with the calligraphy of the Buddhistic Heart Sutra (Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sutra) on a natural slope at the foot of the Lantau Peak. 38 giant wood columns are arranged in a “∞” pattern symbolising infinity.
There is a phoenix sculpture at the entrance of the Wisdom Path. Next to it is the gateway to Lantau Sunrise via Lantau Trail (Section 3). The Lantau Peak is a popular place to see the sunrise. I have not tried the trail before, but it is commonly known as an advanced trail.
Tai O
How to get to Tai O from Ngong Ping
Tai O is just approximately 20 minutes from Ngong Ping so it is a good idea to visit Tai O if you have enough time. Take New Lantao Bus route 21 from Ngong Ping bus terminus and you can get to Tai O bus terminus directly. Hong Kong is best known for being a world financial centre. It may be to your surprise that some Hong Kong people still make a living by fishing.
Tai O is the oldest fishing village in Hong Kong. Take some time to walk along the main street of Tai O. The traditional salted fish and shrimp paste (the smell may be too strong to some of you) are sold at storefronts. There are also some nice cafes and street food. If you want to take a closer look at the iconic stilt houses, you can take a 20-minute boat ride.
If you want to know more about the historic side of Hong Kong, you cannot miss Tai O. However, Tai O has become an extremely popular tourist spot. I visited Tai O on a weekend and it was really crowded. Many people were queuing at bus stations, especially for the bus to Tung Chong. So if it is possible, I will recommend you to visit Tai O on a weekday.