Look at the long queue all the way from the town centre to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal (東涌). It was a Monday morning so we didn’t expect to see so many visitors going to Lantau island (大屿山). The ticketing counters only open at 10:00 am on weekdays; luckily we were already in the line around 9:30 am. Set off early to the cable car terminal for shorter queues!
Basically, there are two types of cable cars: the Standard cabin and Crystal cabin that features glass bottom floor. We bought a pair of Standard cabin (round trip) tickets at HK$107/pax… and followed another QUEUE again to take the cable car to Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal for the main attraction of Lantau island – Tian Tan Big Buddha (天壇大佛), one of the five giant Buddha statues in China. I’ve seen the world’s largest giant Buddha in China too. Check out Leshan giant Buddha.
Enjoy a 25-min scenic ride from Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal to Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal. While gliding across Tung Chung Bay, you will catch glimpses of Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok island. It is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world.
A distant view of Hong Kong Int’l Airport from our cable car. The shot was taken using a 200mm zoom lens.
Ngong Ping 360 (昂坪360) cable cars.
While we can choose the easy way up to Ngong Ping Plateau via cable car, the tough ones can venture out on the 70-km Lantau Trail that weaves through the lush green forests of the island. It’s a strenuous hike that crosses over two of the highest summits on Lantau island. A Cantonese folk in our cable car even exclaimed that there are many snakes along the trail.
The ever-changing 360-degree panoramic view will keep you entertained throughout the 25-min cable car ride. Watch out for the waterfalls below you!
Soon, the magnificent gigantic Tian Tan Buddha statue looms into sight.
It’s amazing how they built the world’s largest outdoor bronze Buddha statue seated on the plateau.
Ngong Ping Village is just a few mins walk from Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal. There are some attractions in this cultural themed village: Walking with Buddha (multimedia attraction), Monkey’s Tale Theatre and Ngong Ping Tea House. You can also have your lunch/snacks in this village. There is Starbucks too.
But hang on, if you want to try vegetarian food, walk further down to the popular vegetarian restaurant at Po Lin Monastery. You need to buy your meal ticket at the counter near the restaurant entrance. Basically, there are two sets of meal to choose: ordinary (HK$60/pax) or “deluxe” meal (HK$100/pax). This ticket also includes admission to the three halls right below the Tian Tan Buddha statue.
Our not-so-deluxe vegetarian meal for two persons. It comes with a pot of Chinese tea, 2 big deep fried spring rolls, lot of veggies, corns, mushrooms and soup… and a big pot of rice! :X This spread of dishes cost us around S$20 (HK$60 x 2). My rating for this lunch: 3.5/5. Quite a good meal for a hungry stomach!
Po Lin Monastery is located near Tian Tan Buddha.
Colourful prayer flags.
Tian Tan Buddha overlooks Po Lin Monastery.
To reach the Buddha statue, we have to climb 268 steps up the long flight of stairs. Still not too bad. It’s definitely worth the climb as the view from the top is simply awesome. Access to Tian Tan Buddha is free.
The giant bronze Tian Tan Buddha is seated with folded legs on the lotus throne. His raised right hand symbolises the removal of affliction and his left hand is a gesture of giving. The 34-metre tall Buddha statue was completed in 1993.
“The Offering of the Six Devas” surrounding Tian Tan Buddha.
A close-up view of the Tian Tan Buddha statue using a 200mm zoom lens.
Look at the pair of eyes!
An impressive view of the surrounding islands and South China Sea as seen from the platform after climbing 268 steps!
What a great day with clear blue skies! A view of the giant Buddha as seen from afar. It took us half a day quick tour around Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha in Ngong Ping on Lantau island.
The cable car will take you back to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal. If you need retail therapy, head down to Citygate Outlets (premium outlets) near Tung Chung MTR Station for your favourite designer brands at bargain prices.
How to go to Tian Tan Buddha at Ngong Ping, Lantau island? (Via cable car.)
By MTR: Alight at Tung Chung Station (東涌) and get out from Exit B for a short walk to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal.
Operating hours of Ngong Ping 360 cable car service: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on weekdays; 9:00 am – 6:30 pm on weekends & public holidays.
Want to go Cheung Chau 長洲?
How long do you think we need to stay at Lantau island to enjoy the whole scenery & place and what time did you reach there? 🙂
Pls refer to my blog post here. We reached Ngong Ping around 11am and spent about 4 hrs (including lunch + Po Lin Monastery + Tian Tan Buddha + enjoying the view n photography) in Lantau island.
whoa! a gigantic airport. one great view from the cable car ride. i wonder what’s the highest point of this cable car.
Your blog is wonderful! I am sure you are a wonderful photographer too to take such stunning photographs. Thanks for sharing your traveler tips and photos! I sure will visit this site from time to time. 🙂
Again, I’m a fan of your great work! More travels to come!
really like the close up shot of the buddha’s face. unfortunately, when i was there it was a wet day.. but we went up (since we were already at tung chung and was our last day)although we were told at the ticket counter that it’s very foggy… so missed out on the scenery in the cable car… was mostly fog.. and could only see the buddha amongst the midst when we climbed all the way up to the top of the stairs..
Pai seh, I don’t know Lantau island is 大屿山 until I read this… 🙁
You have shot so many beautiful photos there and I like them all!
It is very nice that you enjoyed such a trip and took so many photos back + memories !
I’m not a big fan of Animoto. I’ve tried it before. The downside? Limited ‘playable’ options for free users + my lousy internet connection is a big NO-NO for making ‘live’ slideshow. Anyway, nice soundtrack 🙂
I would definitely LOVE to try the 70-km Lantau Trail. Lush greenery? Now, that’s my cup of tea! Eunice, your cable car ride reminds me of Langkawi Cable Car. You can see the Seven Wells Waterfall from high above.
Amazing close-up shots of Tian Tan Buddha. Well done!!! Buddha’s look is peaceful and mesmerizing!
@dong ho: ya I didn’t expect the view to be that nice from the cable car too! Lantau island is worth the trip!
@Jhet van Ruyven: hey thanks yeah
@lechua: the sky was hazy n grey days before we went Lantau island. We were lucky that it was clear blue skies on the day we went Lantau.
@Cecil: lol yeah, that’s why I inserted the Chinese name too!
@Bakeling: ya it’s a beautiful island.
@mylo: I got free access to the animoto account that’s worth USD30 for a year, but I wish they have more songs.. 😛 I think the free account only allows a 30sec video. However, what I like about animoto is that it’s easy to use and the result is good.
Hey I’ve not been to Langkawi before!
Do you suggest we see Big Buddha at Lantau island on the same day as our flight back to our home country? Our flight back is at 5 30 pm and we must reach airport at 3 30 pm
Also is it a tiring walk up those 260 odd steps as I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter?
Very helpful blog!!!
@Akshay: No, not tiring at all, as you tend to stop and take photos while climbing up the stairs! 😀
Take note of the operating hours for cable car service –
Operating hours of Ngong Ping 360 cable car service: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on weekdays; 9:00 am – 6:30 pm on weekends & public holidays.
If you are there on weekdays, by the time you reach Ngong Ping, it might be around 11pm+. We only went to Po Lin Monastery, had lunch, climbed up to the Big Buddha, took photos, and left for Ngong Ping Cable car station at around 3pm. It took us sometime to queue up for the cable car again and we reached Tung Chung around 4pm. So.. it could be a bit rush for you. Unless you are going there during weekend? (cable car operates at 9am, but there may be longer queues too.)
Very clear photos. I was there last year in March but it was all foggy and very difficult to get any clear shots.
yeah nice!! i miss lantau island 🙂 wanna visit big buddha again 🙂
Hi! the photos are great and makes me excited for our HK trip next week. it will be my 2nd time but 1st time to go to the places above…
I have a few questions:
– can we reach the Big Buddha from Ngong Ping Village? is it walking distacnce or we need to transfer by bus?
– also i’d like if there’s an alternative transportation back if we dont take the cable car..
– were you able to check out Mui Wo?
cheers!
Hi Janey: Yes you can reach Big Buddha from Ngong Ping Village on foot within a short walking distance only. The cable car from Tung Chung Terminal will take you to Ngong Ping Village for the Big Buddha.
There are buses from Ngong Ping Village, but not sure about the details. It will take a much longer time if you take the bus. Cable car is the faster option, better…
I dunno about Mui Wo but Tai O is very near.
Cheers!
“Basically, there are two sets of meal to choose: ordinary (HK$60/pax) or “deluxe” meal (HK$100/pax). This ticket also includes admission to the three halls right below the Tian Tan Buddha statue”
Quoting your statement above, does that mean there’s entrance fee for the three halls below Tian Tan Buddha Statue? How much is it if excluding the lunch package?
And as for the vegetarian meal, let’s say we have 5 person but only order 4 meal sets… is that enough??
Thank you.
@Jinny: Yes there is an entrance fee. If I’m correct, even if you buy the entrance fees at Tian Tan, it will give you “free” meals (the other way round). Not too sure about this. Hmm, for vegetarian meal, I think they charge per head count as you need to purchase a ticket to enter the restaurant.
Hi from Fiji Islands!!
You brought back great memories of Hong Kong which we loved as a family holiday just recently. Would you be able to tell me what is the name of that island in the background of the Chek Lap Kok international airport?
You do have great pictures! Thanks.
i always want to go to Lantau island but i always wake up late, i believe that the buddha thing would close at around 12pm
The Big Buddha will always been a highlight for anyone visiting Hong Kong. I have been there 3 times already and likely to visit it again. Btw, I love the vegetarian food there. Another famous temple in Hong Kong is The Monastery of a Thousand Buddhas at Shatin. Not everybody knows they offer good vegetarian food too. You may consider to make a visit on your next visit there.