Shopping, dim sums, dumplings, and milk teas, plus the beautiful skyline of Hong Kong. These are all the reasons why we visit Hong Kong. However, there's much more to Hong Kong than the glitz and glamour in the city. One of them is the famous tourist attraction on Lantau Island called Ngong Ping.
Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, history buff, religious, or visiting for sightseeing, Ngong Ping is the best break you can have away from the city!
How to go to Ngong Ping via Public Transportation:
If you want an in-depth guide on how to go by public transportation, I wrote a separate post and you can follow my directions here: ๐ How to Go to Ngong Ping by Cable Car - Ngong Ping 360!
Attractions & Highlights at Ngong Ping in Lantau Island:
While there are other facilities and establishments in Ngong Ping village, I am not gonna discuss them here anymore. All information related to these establishments (toilets, souvenir shops, exhibitions and restaurants) can be found in their official website.
Instead, I wrote about the ones I absolutely enjoyed myself and which I will use to convince you why you should visit Ngong Ping.
Lantau Island's Cable Car - Ngong Ping 360
Of course, the very first highlight on the list would be the cable car - Ngong Ping 360. You can see the magnificent view of Tung Chung, the Airport Area, the Pearl River, as well as the famous Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge that goes under the water.
As a bonus treat, maximize the whole experience by riding a glass-bottom Crystal Cabin for a full aerial view of the landscape!
The Big Buddha on Lantau Island
Before you even reach the end of the cable car ride, Tian Tan Buddha called The Big Buddha will be waving at you. You can't miss this big bronze statue and almost everyone goes straight to the statue right away upon reaching Ngong Ping.
To reach the base of the Buddha, you will climb 268 steps. No, I didn't count the steps as I was too busy panting and catching my breath. Apart from that, I was so absorbed in taking photos and looking for someone to take my photo. Thank God I found someone and he took a photo of me but boy I look awkward, as usual. Nothing new!
Upon reaching the base of the Buddha, enjoy the 360-degree view of the village. You can see the whole village as if it's a miniature. If the weather is nice, you will be able to see the nearby hills and the scenery within Lantau Island as well.
Po Lin Monastery
Just like how you can't miss the Tian Tan Buddha, you can't miss the Po Lin Monastery either.
Whether monasteries are your thing or not, Po Lin Monastery is a sight to behold. Po Lin Monastery is a Buddhist temple and it is huge with intricate details everywhere I look. The details on the pillars and the ceiling look similar to the details of the pillars of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
If you don't find Buddhism and the Monastery interesting (though I doubt), still have a look around. You may change your mind once you visit the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
To show respect (to the temple), I didn't take any photos of the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas (most temples do not allow it). We were not allowed to enter as well but there were just no words to explain my awe when I saw all the gold buddhas inside.
There were five huge golden buddhas in the middle and they were surrounded by thousands of small buddhas all around.
Wisdom Path
Afterward, walk a little further to see the not-so-famous Wisdom Path. Signposts are scattered around the village to guide you on how to reach Wisdom Path. It will be a short walk in nature with lots of plants and trees around.
Before you know it, the Wisdom Path will be in front of you. It is considered as a hidden gem in Ngong Ping with 38 tall wooden columns. The tall wooden columns have inscriptions of verses of the Heart Sutra and were arranged as the infinity sign when seen from above.
While I don't understand the inscription on the wooden columns, the Wisdom Path is a nice and quiet area away from all the crowd. Very few take the additional walk but expect to come across some tourists as well.
From the Wisdom Path, you can walk a few meters further to the left (when you are facing the Wisdom Path) for a nice view of all the wooden columns.
Ngong Ping's long-distance trail - Lantau Trail
For a hiker like me, this one's a highlight! Similar to the 50-kilometer Hong Kong Trail, the Lantau Trail is another long-distance trail in Hong Kong. 20 kilometers longer, the Lantau Trail is divided into 12 sections. The start of Section 4 is near the Wisdom Path so you can even start from here!
And if the idea of Lantau Trail doesn't attract you, yet you still want to do some hiking, you may check Nei Lak Shan Country Trail in Lantau Island as well.
Look at the waterfalls and the nicely done trail! It's not ragged and extreme but more like a nice walk in the park, isn't it? Based on Google Maps, this trail is part of the Nei Lak Shan Country Trail (feel free to correct me). Unfortunately, I was not able to hike these two trails yet - Lantau Trail and Nei Lak Shan Country Trail. However, I'll definitely come back for this and I will also continue the Hong Kong Trail since I only managed up to Section 6.
I know that Ngong Ping is a little overrated, but I hope I get to show you a different point of view about the attractions listed above. With a mixture of Hong Kong's culture and outdoor scene, Ngong Ping is worth even a half-day of your time. Give it a shot!
