Big Buddha is so much more than the statue itself. It is how most tourists experience Lantau Island, my favourite place in Hong Kong and a real oasis. In such a busy city, it’s refreshing to get out of town and see a little greenery. The cable car, monastery, mountain, and statue are real gems, and they are something I would advise anyone who is spending more than a day in Hong Kong to see.
Ngong Ping 360
Big Buddha sits majestically atop a mountain on Lantau Island, a location that is very picturesque but not easily accessible. However, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car offers a quick and scenic 25-minute ride, providing stunning views of the city and bays as it takes you to Ngong Ping, the small village just below Big Buddha. The cable car departs from Tung Chung, the last stop on the Tung Chung MRT line, just across from the airport.
The MRT station is about an hour’s ride from central or half an hour’s drive/taxi without traffic. If you are travelling light or fancy visiting at the beginning or end of your visit, Tung Chung is only a 10-minute taxiride from the airport (there is a bus, but local buses are too complicated for me to use).
Getting the Bus Up
Whether you have time to spare or just want to see more of Lantau, the bus is a good option. It is also significantly cheaper than the cable car. Buses leave from the station just across the road from the cable car terminal, but take a fair bit longer (about an hour). I have taken both the bus and the cable car on different occasions and enjoyed both. If you are on the bus, keep an eye out for Lantau’s famous wild cows.
Ngong Ping Village
Close to the top of the island, this little village was created to serve the influx of tourists making their way to Big Buddha via the cable car. I think it’s put together tastefully with old-timey Hong Kong charm, even though it is obviously pretty new. There are plenty of shops selling anything from water to souvenirs, teas or jewellery.
As you walk from the village up toward the statue, there are usually some of Lantau’s wild cows hanging around–they are very friendly, but don’t get too close. Cows aside, my favourite place to get food is the small wooden shack-ish restaurant that serves a Hong Kong classic: Bean curd pudding. It’s a small dish of silken tofu with ginger and brown sugar served hot or cold. I think it’s sold near temples because it’s vegan.
Tian Tan Big Buddha
The main attraction is a giant metal Buddha statue perched atop a mountain, accessible by climbing 268 steps. It’s a busy place, so try to get up early, as the journey itself takes a while, and crowds, especially day trippers from mainland China, start to come in later on.
The view from the top is incredible, and the sheer scale of the close-up of the statue is unbeatable. You can even go inside the Buddha, where there is an exhibit and a wall of remembrance.
If you still feel like walking after the many steps down the nearby wisdom path, it is a great option. This winding mountain path takes about half an hour and gives great views of Lantau Peak.
Po Lin Monastery
The Big Buddha statue in Hong Kong, built in 1993, is relatively new. In contrast, the Po Lin Monastery below it is older, having been completed in 1906. The monastery is well-used, with living quarters for monks plenty going on. When I visited, there was no fee to enter, but you could make donations or give food to the monks (this is the only way they can receive food).
There is a traditional Vegetarian restaurant serving plenty of food. From dim sum to noodles, plenty of tofu and seasonal veggies. It is traditional for Chinese people to eat vegetarian food around the lunar new year, but the rest of the time, I have found that the place is relatively quiet.
Lantau: a Land of Cows and Beaches
A lot of people will only visit Ngong Ping in Lantau, but there is so much more to see and do on this special island. On the south side, there are a few villages and beach towns like Mui Wo, Pui O, and Discovery Bay.
I have stayed in Mui Wo, where there are a few resorts and lots of holiday homes near the beach. There is everything you need in the small town: a couple of supermarkets, restaurants and some great seafood.
For a beach getaway in summer, it’s a great place, but even in winter, the sun is usually out, and temperatures never get too low in Hong Kong.
From Mui Wo, you can hike the mountain trail to Discovery Bay–the most built-up town on Lantau (other than Tung Chung). In fact, you can hike all the way across, up and around the island, with the great network of trails that are generally very well maintained.
My favourite place to go on the north side is Tai O. It is a bit harder to get to as there is no ferry, but you can get the bus there from pretty much anywhere else on the island. Tai O is a small fishing village with lots of old houses on stilts and loads of amazing seafood. Be sure to try some fishballs, cuttlefish and bean curd pudding.
