Lantau Island houses exquisite scenery and rich ecological resources. Apart from see-sighting tours rich in natural and historical flavour,you can also find scenic trails and hiking trails of various themes and lengths in country parks.
Po Lin Monastery
Po Lin Monastery, established in 1906, is known as "The Sacred Place of the Buddha in the South" and is the first of the four most popular monasteries in Hong Kong. The Monastery was initially named "The Big Hut" when it was first built. Having gone through a century of development, Po Lin Monastery is now well developed with a number of structures including the Mahavira Hall and the Heavenly King Hall.
Ngong Ping sits high on the uplands some 460 metres above sea level at a 102-hectare plateau in the western-central part of Lantau Island. Monks and priests began settling in this pristine part of Hong Kong in the last century. They live a secluded life and practice Buddhism. Today, apart from some original rural settlements, Lantau is mostly known for its religious establishments such as monasteries, retreats and Buddhist halls.
Po Lin Monastery is a renowned attraction and a holy Buddhist ground in Hong Kong. The gardens and pavilions are well-established to blend in with the natural environment in Ngong Ping. Meanwhile, a new "Jeweled Hall of 10,000 Buddhas" is being built, which will feature 10,000 Buddha statues as well as a Buddhist Scripture Library and a Dharma Hall.
If you look up to the southwest from Tei Tan square in the middle of the Po Lin Monastery plaza, you will see a flight of 268 steps leading to the world’s largest outdoor bronze statue – the Giant Buddha. Walking up the steps, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Lantau and the South China Sea from the podium. The huge statue body is a breathtaking sight, and the kind smile on His face instills a sense of peacefulness. The Giant Buddha sits solemnly atop the 482m Muk Yue Shan. The whole complex stands opposite to the monastery and is 6,547 m2 in size.
The planning of the Tian Tan Buddha started in 1976. Constructed by the China Aeronautic Department, the works were completed in 1993. It was selected as one of the "Ten Engineering Wonders in Hong Kong" and was awarded the "Merit of Unique Artistic Features" by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers in 2000.
Featuring the pronounced facial expression of the Buddha and the statue craftsmanship of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Tian Tan Buddha was built with bronze and weighs over 250 tonnes. Gold was used for the face, portraying the beauty and solemnity of the Buddha. The right hand of the Buddha is held up as a "Fear-Not mudra", a manifestation of the great vow to eliminate suffering from all sentient beings. The left hand is placed on the Buddha’s thigh with His palm facing out and fingers slightly pointing downwards. This is known as the "Wish-Granting mudra", signifying the compassionate vow to grant happiness to all men. The Dharma cakra in the palm represents the everlasting turning of the Wheel of Dharma and the dissemination of the Dharma to every corner of the world.
Facing North, the Tian Tan Buddha statue is 34 metres high. It symbolises Sakyamuni, who meditated deeply under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment and awakening to true reality.
The magnificent Tian Tan Buddha is the world’s largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue, which is located next to the Po Lin Monastery.
Inside the pedestal of the Tian Tan Buddha there is a three-storey exhibition hall presenting a number of invaluable Buddhist items, including:
Wisdom Path features an arrangement of 38 giant wood columns measuring 8-10 metres long and 1 metre wide to showcase calligraphy by master of Chinese studies Professor Jao Tsung-I. These wood columns are arranged in a "∞" pattern.
Heart Sutra,full name Sāhasrikā-prajñā-pāramitā Heart Sutra,is a famous Buddhist classic. Heart Sutra was one of them.
Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O is the oldest fishing village in Hong Kong. As soon as you set foot in Tai O,you are captivated by the great charm of a traditional fishing village. The stilt houses unique to Tai O and the down-to-earth way of life never fail to enchant city dwellers. In the narrow streets, tourist crowd into village shops for dried seafood and local delicacies. The small village ferry is now replaced by a large iron bridge. Parked under the bridge are small boats selling seafood.
Ngong Ping Fun Walk
About half way down the path that leads from Wisdom Path,you find the Tea Garden. At the end of the Tea Garden a side path forks out to the left. That is the starting point of Ngong Ping Fun Walk. It takes only 45 minutes to complete. Although merely 1.5 km in length,it offers six attractions: Misty Lantau,Ancient Gateway,Tree Walk Exploration,Sunrise on Lantau,Scenery of Lakes and Tea Walk.
Ancient Gateway
Back in the days when transportation vehicles were scarce,Ancient Gateway was a main access road that linked up Tung Chung with Ngong Ping,Shek Pik and Tai O. This ancient trail begins at the Dong Shan Fa Mun archway and takes you through Tei Tong Tsai,Shek Pik Au and San Keng to arrive at Shek Mun Kap. This scenic circuit,passing by rock streams and woodlands where wild birds dwell,gives a spectacular bird's eye view of the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok. Along the way you can stop by ancient temples and monasteries for an enlightening visit. The trail is 4 km long and takes 1.5 hours to complete.
Tree Walk Exploration
The AFCD has included a Tree Walk in the Ngong Ping Fun Walk,so that visitors can learn more about native wild flora and appreciate the importance of preserving wild plants. The 350m Tree Walk showcases 20 native wild plants.
Sunrise on Lantau
Sunrise at Lantau Peak is one of the most famous sights of Hong Kong. Numerous visitors scale the heights of Lantau Peak for this great scene every year. The best time to climb up Lantau Peak for a spectacular sunrise is between November and February. Any night before a cold front arrives is ideal. The clear vision provides the best condition for a beautiful sunrise.
Scenery of Lakes
At the Lantau Sunrise archway you can see the great expanse of Shek Pik Reservoir. Built half a century ago,this reservoir is still serving the public today. In 1959,the government decided to construct Shek Pik Reservoir in southwestern Lantau. Shek Pik Reservoir was completed in 1963. It was the largest reservoir at the time it was built.
Man Cheung Po - Shui Lo Cho (The Ten Thousand Feet Waterfall and the Roaring Waterway)
The name of "Man Cheung Po - Shui Lo Cho" ravine has a two-folded meaning. Translated literally,"Man Cheung Po" means a 10,000-feet tall waterfall,named after its resemblance of a white piece of cloth extending from the sky. "Shui Lo Cho",the second part of the unique name,was inspired by the loud roaring sound at the downstream of Man Cheung Po,near Yi O,after each heavy rainstorm.
Wong Lung Ravine
Also known as Wong Lung Hang,the main stream of Wong Lung Ravine came from the forest valleys amongst Sunset Peak (Tai Tung Shan),Yi Tung Shan,Lin Fa Shan and the extension of Pok To Yan. Converging the spring water of the mountains,the Wong Lung Ravine boldly rushes north out of the valleys of Tung Chung with tremendous momentum. The famous and spectacular ravine is a must-see for avid hikers.
Nei Shan Ravine
Northwestern Lantau is the home to Nei Shan Ravine,which originates from Nei Lak Shan,the 5th tallest point of Hong Kong,standing at 751 metres. The ravine collects water from the back of the gorge of the northern slope,wriggling down along the mountain contours to the harbour front at Shan Tau Village. The flow of the ravine made it one of the two biggest hydro graphic net of Nei Lak Shan.
Shan Tau Wetland
The vast wetland is the backyard for the residents of the Tung Chung new town. The naturalistic scenery comprises of mud-flats,marshes, mangroves,birds,etc. The wetland is also decorated with lantern-like cable cars hanging in mid-air,with a backdrop filled with scattered steel birds taking off and landing onto the most international and modernized airport.
The Admiral's Rock
The Admiral's Rock can be found at the northwestern sea cliff of Lantau's Fu Shan. Shaped just like an admiral from the ancient time, the huge rock is one of Tai O's natural attractions. At the "leg" area of the Admiral's Rock is a marine abrasion arch,where loose sandstone was eroded from stronger malmstones.
The Fat Pig Rock
The Fat Pig Rock is perhaps the most famous rock formation in southern Lantau Island. The reef shapes just like a big fat pig,standing in the middle of the sea,with its hind leg lifted,as if it is about to fall into the deep blue. Viewing the rock from the opposite side,the pig shows a totally different demeanor: full of pride and arrogance. Nature is undoubtedly full of magnificent wonders.
The Ngong Ping Nature Centre
Ngong Ping Nature Centre is a place where the Agriculture,Fisheries and Conservation Department exhibits information about Lantau to enhance visitors' knowledge about the biodiversity and natural landscape,and to promote public awareness in environmental and ecological conservation.
The first Visitor Centre established for Lantau's country parks,there are display panels with Chinese,English and Japanese descriptions,a souvenir shop and an knowledge corner that provides information about the nature. The Centre also organises guided eco-tours for visitors to explore the culture and natural resources around the Ngong Ping area.
Details of Free Nature Guided
Tours
:
The free nature guided tours are organized by Ngong Ping Nature Centre. Those who have interested in the guided tours would enrol directly at the Center .
Schedule of the free nature guided tour :
Departure time
Monday to Saturday
Sunday and public holidays
10 : 00
11 : 00 *
12 : 00
13 : 00
14 : 00
15 : 00
16 : 00
* Tours will be mainly conducted in Cantonese,with English tours only available at 11am.
Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Information Centre
Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works is the first tertiary sewage treatment plant in Hong Kong. To promote public awareness in environmental and ecological conservation,a Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Information Centre" is setup inside the plant where public can visit the centre and get to know more about tertiary sewage treatment and the effluent reuse pilot scheme via 4 exhibition zones and interactive zone. For details,please refer to the website of Drainage Services Department.
Opening Hours:
Tuesdays to Sundays : 10:00am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Closed on Mondays and on the following public holidays : New Year Day,The First,Second and Third Day of the Chinese New Year,Good Friday,Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Ngong Ping Trail
The Ngong Ping Trail is a must-go route for hiking enthusiasts. Used as the access for maintenance and rescue trail for Ngong Ping 360,the footpath passes across natural attractions such as mountains and valleys,with much of it directly under the path of the cable cars. The 3-hour hike can be rather easily completed by going downhill from Ngong Ping Village towards Tung Chung city centre,providing visitors with some spectacular scenery.
Tung Chung Mangrove
Among the various natural scenic spots in Lantau,the Tung Chung Mangrove is one of the popular sceneries among the travelers. Mangroves are diverse eco-systems that play a crucial role in ecology,such as generating food chains. The Tung Chung Mangrove,which is in close vicinity to Ngong Ping 360,supports different species of mangroves,coastal plants and organisms. While visitors appreciating the natural beauty at the mangrove,one may discover some interesting organisms such as Fiddler Crabs and Mudskippers.
Lantau Trail (Tung Chung to Pui O)
Lantau Country Park has a variety of challenging and entertaining hiking routes within its boundaries. The 70km Lantau Trail is divided into 12 stages with the first stage starts at Mui Wo. It has good visitor facilities along the way,and the route is well marked for visitor’s information. Section 11 of the Lantau Trail starts just across the Tung Chung Road,where this section of this trail will reach South Lantau Road at Pui O,hikers can appreciate the beauty of natural stone steps and the dense woodland along the 3km journey.
Novotel Citygate Hong Kong
Only 5 minutes away from Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung Terminal,Novotel Citygate Hong Kong is connected to Citygate Outlets and MTR station. Close proximity to AsiaWorld-Expo and Hong Kong Disneyland. Facilities include 4 restaurants and bars,7 function rooms,20-metre outdoor swimming pool,gymnasium and free airport shuttle service.
The Hong Kong Bank Foundation SG Davis Hostel was formally the outdoor education centre of the Department of Geography & Geology of The University of Hong Kong. Embraced with the air of tranquility and neighbouring to the Giant Buddha,Po Lin Monastery and the Wisdom Path, the hostel provides the only service for accommodation and camping around Ngong Ping. Among many popular choices,travelers may enjoy their journey by trying out some Chinese vegetarian dishes nearby,or by climbing up the Lantau Peak for the beautiful sunrise to freshen up their spirits.
Citygate Outlets
Adjacent to Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung Terminal,Citygate Outlets is the first and only outlet mall in Hong Kong,with over 70 international brands offering discounts of up to 70% every day! Great entertainment facilities and excellent restaurants add to the shopping pleasure.
Maritime Square,two-station distance from the Tung Chung MTR station,is dedicated to delight our shoppers with numerous shopping and dining choices from its 130 merchandizes and restaurants. To provide local and overseas travelers a carefree shopping experience,Locker hire service is available at the mall.
SkyPlaza,Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport,is a paradise of shopping and delicacies with over 100 shops and 22 dining offers that are mostly located in the non-restricted area,offering trendy brands,kids??concept,Asian souvenirs,packaged foods,etc. All-round amusements keep going with the 4 entertainment zones including 4D Extreme Screen Cinema,Aviation Discovery Centre,Asia Hollywood movie-themed interactive exhibition hall as well as i-Sports interactive sports games.
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Ngong Ping Wishing Tree 
