When you are on a trip with high-spirited travel buddies, you feel like time runs so fast. What you have to do is to soak up the remaining vacation vibes and savor every morsel of time. For our last day in Hong Kong, me and my office mates (Team Finance) will visit a traditional village in the Ngong Ping area in Lantau Island.  We will immerse ourselves in a relaxing tour where the natural environment, customs, and culture of the island are still richly preserved. We will start our exciting trip by riding the crystal cable car. And so here we go!

Places of Interest:

• Ngong Ping Village
• Tian Tian Buddha (The Giant Buddha)
• Po Lin Monastery
• Ngong Ping Piazza
• Wisdom of Path

NGONG PING 360 CABLE CAR 

Ngong Ping 360, a subsidiary of the MTR Corporation is a gondola lift that runs from Tung Chung to Lantau Island. Behind the amazing feat in the development of the project is the preservation of the North Lantau Country Park. With its minimal environmental impact, the visitors can purely enjoy the scenic view in getting to the Ngong Ping area.

My friend Amie accompanied me on my first visit to Ngong Ping Village. Cable car service was closed for scheduled maintenance at that time so we boarded the bus in getting to the village. But still, the forty-five minute-trip in a sinuous road that resembled the Kennon Road of Baguio was a memorable experience for me.

My second visit was a blast because the majority of us favored riding the cable car and voted for the Crystal Cabin tour. I was so happy because we will be seeing the nature side of Hong Kong. I booked our round trip tickets through Klook for Php1,228.00 only (HK$186.00)

~The ride~

It was a downcast morning but thank God there was a light rain only and we were able to feast our eyes on the wondrous sight from a bird’s eye view. There we saw a picturesque view of the Hong Kong International Airport, the rugged terrain of North Lantau Island Park, Tun Chung Bay, and the South China Sea.

I had fear of heights but honestly, it wasn’t scary looking down because right underneath our feet were a picturesque view of an open sea and verdant terrain. The journey took us around twenty-five minutes from Tung Chung Town Centre to Ngong Ping on Lantau Island.

We were busy taking photos, having a good conversation with fellow passengers from Mexico, laughing, and immersing in the rugged scenery that before we knew it, we were already approaching the Ngong Ping Cable Car Station.

Fun facts:

• Ngong Ping Cable Car is the longest bi-cable ropeway in Asia where you will visually enjoy a 5.7 km journey.
• Ngong Ping 360 was officially opened on September 18, 2006

The Cable Cars:

• Standard Cabin – the cheapest and the smallest among the cable cars
• Crystal Cabin – from the glass bottom visitors may feast their eyes of the rugged terrain and boundless sea
• Private Cabin – may enjoy a queue-free ticketing service and priority boarding

Opening Hours:

• 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mondays-Fridays
• 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays
• The opening hours of Ngong Ping 360 is subject to change due to inclement weather.

Tips:

Before you book online through Klook please visit Ngong Ping 360 website to be sure your desired date of visit is not scheduled for maintenance.

Address: 11 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong

NGONG PING VILLAGE

The starting point to explore Lantau Island coming from the bus terminal and Ngong Ping Cable Car Station is in Ngong Ping Village. This 1.5-hectare island boasts of several “must-see” attractions like the Tian Tan Buddha (The Big Buddha), Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping Piazza, and Wisdom Path.

Ngong Ping Village is a small village created and landscaped with a typical Chinese cultural theme. The village houses restaurants, shops, cafes and provides entertainment to visitors. When we got there, the area was already crowded but we enjoyed taking photos. In fact, there are many Instagram-worthy spots in the village.

Opening Hours:

• 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mondays-Fridays
• 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays

TIAN TIAN BUDDHA

For me, the most imposing sight to visit in Ngong Ping is none other than the Tian Tia Buddha which is also known as the Big Buddha. It is the bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, the second-largest sitting Buddha in the world. It symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people, and faith.

Everyone was excited to take the 268 steps in getting to the statue. On top, there were six small bronze statues known as the “Offering of the Devas”. They were facing the Buddha offering flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit, and music which represents generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom.

We savored looking at the picturesque view of Lantau Island. It was mesmerizing to see this relaxing wonder while embracing the cool atmosphere. Below the Big Buddha are three floors where you can go inside if you purchase an offering. We just went to the entry-free hall where we looked for the Buddhist items on the display stand.

It may be tiring to go up to the statue but just take it easy. There are several landings so you can rest a bit and take photos.

Facts about Tian Tian Buddha:

1. The Big Buddha is seated on an enormous lotus flower which is considered a pure flower for Buddhism.
2. Buddha’s right hand is raised representing the removal of affliction whereas the left hand rests on the lap, a gesture of generosity.
3. The statue is about 112 feet tall (34 meters) and weighs over 250 metric tons.
4. Construction started in 1990 and finished on December 29, 1993.

Opening Hours:

• 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mondays-Fridays
• 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays

PO LIN MONASTERY

Right after our visit to Tian Tian Buddha, we head off to Po Lin Monastery which is few distances away only. This another must-visit attraction in Lantau Island is a major Buddhist establishment in Hong Kong. The monastery was founded in 1906 by three monks coming from Jiangsu Province on the Chinese mainland. This was known as “The Big Hut” and in 1924 was replaced to its present name.

This is my second visit to the monastery, but just like the first time, I was still awed by the architecture of Po Lin Monastery. It was striking and colorful. We toured inside and saw several Buddhist scriptures and the three bronze Buddha statues on the main temple. Later we stayed on the huge ground for photo ops. We observed a lot of worshipers praying after they lighted the giant joss sticks.

Opening Hours:

• 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mondays-Fridays
• 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays

NGONG PING PIAZZA

After a ride from the Crystal Cabin or from a bus and a walk at Ngong Ping Village, the next attraction to visit in the Ngong Ping area is the Ngong Ping Piazza. This is where the visitors will start their tour and be amazed at what this area has to offer.

Before we head on to Ngong Ping Piazza, we entered the Pai Lau, a gateway made entirely from a traditional style of Chinese architecture. From there we walked on the paved gray tiles of Bodi Path, a 120-meter long pathway. It has the stone statues “Twelve Divine Generals”, which represents the twelve generals, the protectors of Healing Buddha. Aside from the stone warriors, there are also the 40 lotus-shaped stone lanterns on each side of the pathway.

At the end of the path is Di Tan, the four lotus ponds, the venue where the religious rituals are held. Beside it is another Pai Lau, a gateway in getting to Po Lin Monastery.

Opening Hours:

• 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mondays-Fridays
• 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays

~Good-bye Ngong Ping~

We spent around four hours exploring the village. It’s good that it was a chilly morning so we had a wonderful time strolling around. Before we go back to the cable car station, we stopped in a small eatery near the Pai Lau and feasted on street food. Later, there we saw a cow roaming around. It was so tame that tourists got busy taking pictures of it. In the Philippines, dogs are our usual visitors, but in Lantau, it’s a cow! Hahaha!

We did not visit Wisdom of Path anymore because rain may fall anytime. If you visit Hong Kong, allot a day exploring Lantau Island. Aside from the photo opportunities, the nature side of the city will make you want to visit again with another set of travel buddies.

Like I did!

Special thanks to Day Leen our friend in Hong Kong for bringing us to the Tung Chung Station so we will not get lost! Haha! She waited for us in the afternoon for we will head on to Central station to buy pasalubong for our loved ones.

How To Get There:

• By MTR to Tung Chung Station, Exit B. The cable car terminal is located adjacent to the station
• By bus to Tung Chung: E11, E21, E23, E31, E32, E33, E34, E41, E42, 1R, S1, 2, 21, 23
• By private van transfer, you may book at Klook: Hong Kong Attraction Transfers.

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