Shopping, dim sums, dumplings and milk teas, plus the beautiful skyline of Hong Kong... I get you these are nice. However, there's much more to Hong Kong than these. Ngong Ping is a famous tourist attraction in Lantau Island next to Hong Kong Disneyland (or vice versa). And whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, history buff, religious, or visiting for sightseeing, make sure to visit this place as it's a good break from the city. Without further adieu, let's proceed what you can expect in Ngong Ping in Lantau Island!
How to go to Ngong Ping via Public Transportation:
If you want to read an in-depth guide on how to go by public transportation from the city center and by cable car, you can follow my directions: How to Go to Ngong Ping by Cable Car - Ngong Ping 360!
Attractions and 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 on why you should visit Ngong Ping.
Lantau Island's cable car - Ngong Ping 360
Of course the very first highlight among the list would be the cable car - Ngong Ping 360. You can see the magnificent view of the Tung Chung, Airport Area, 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 in Lantau Island - Tian Tan Buddha
Before you even reach the end of the cable car ride, Tian Tan Buddha or called as The Big Buddha is definitely waving at you already. You can't miss this big bronze statue and almost everyone goes straight to the statue right away upon reaching Ngong Ping. Which is understandable, I also went straight to the statue because, why not? We all are sucker for views isn't it?
If you want to reach the base of the Buddha, you will climb 268 steps to get a closer look. And no, I didn't count the steps as I was too busy panting and catching my breath. Add the task of taking photos and looking for someone to take my photo - and thank God I found someone but I look awkward lol.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you what time you should come to avoid the crowd. I went to Lantau Island during the time of the protesters though it is far from where the action is. And it happened to be on a weekday, but there are still flock of tourists. So, on a normal (and peaceful) day in Hong Kong, there could be more tourists than what you can see in my photo.
Anyhow, when you reach the base of the Buddha, enjoy the 360-degree view of the village. You can see almost the whole village as if it's a miniature. Enjoy the view of the nearby hills and scenery within Lantau Island as well. And once you're done, let's move on to the attraction visible from Tian Tan Buddha, the Po Lin Monastery.
Po Lin Monastery
Like how you can't miss Tian Tan Buddha in Ngong Ping, it is the same with Po Lin Monastery. Whatever the purpose of your trip is, don't miss this out just because monastery is not your thing.
Po Lin Monastery, is a Buddhist temple which is not a new thing for me after my visit of a Buddhist temple in Seoul. Compared to the one I saw in Seoul, Po Lin Monastery is huge with intricate details everywhere I look. The details on the pillars of the temple looks similar to the details on the pillars of Gyeongbokgung Palace. I don't know much on how the two cultures are intertwined (I have lots to learn, I know), but I find the similarity beautiful.
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. I can't put into words how golden everything is and how fine the details are. I didn't take a picture out of respect as most religious establishments don't allow taking photos inside and I don't want to be rude just for photo's sake.
At the left side of the monastery, there is a famous Vegetarian Restaurant which has good reviews about their food, delicacies and tea. While I can't share anything on that since I don't eat vegetables at all (no offense to the vegetarians!), I didn't try my luck anymore and opted to just enjoy sightseeing.
Wisdom Path
Once you are done enjoying (and absorbing) the beauty of both Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, have a break and head to the not-so-famous Wisdom Path. Sign posts are scattered around the village to guide you on how to reach Wisdom Path. You will have the chance (or a challenge depending on how you see it) for a short walk around before reaching the destination. Passing by the exhibition area and a few houses, you will also walk with tress on both side of a small road.
And before you know it, the Wisdom Path is in front of you already. It is absolutely 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 really understand the inscription on the wooden columns, the Wisdom Path is a nice attraction with short walk around Ngong Ping with less tourist. You suddenly felt having the place all for you. While there are tourists from time to time, it is not as crowded as the Tian Tan Buddha or Po Lin Monastery.
From the Wisdom Path, you can walk a few meters further to the left (when you are facing the Wisdom Path) and you will reach a nice viewpoint. This is where I took the photo above to capture all the wooden columns in one frame.
Ngong Ping's famous hiking trail - Lantau Trail
If hiking is your thing (like me!), this will definitely excite you. Lantau Trail is one of the long-distance trails in Hong Kong which is similar to the 50-kilometer Hong Kong Trail that I did. Lantau Trail's total distance is 20-kilometer longer than Hong Kong Trail which you can do section by section too. And what's nice about this trail is that the start of Section 4 is near the Wisdom Path.
And if the idea of Lantau Trail doesn't attract you yet you want to experience hiking as well, you may check Nei Lak Shan Country Trail in Lantau Island as well.
Looking for some inspirations? Check out these trails visible during the cable car ride! Based on google maps, this trail is part of Nei Lak Shan Country Trail (feel free to correct me). Unfortunately, I was not able to hike these two - Lantau Trail and Nei Lak Shan Country Trail. However I'll definitely come back for this and even continue the Hong Kong Trail after I left Section 6.
I mean, look at the waterfalls and the nicely done trail! It's not ragged and extreme but more on a nice walk in the park, isn't it?
And that's it! I know that sometimes 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!
And If you've been there already, share with me your experience in the comment section below! Cheers!
