Top-rated Destinations on Lantau Island

Hong Kong is well known for its attractive urban landscape but rarely for its natural wonders. As Hong Kong is always portrayed by the media as a concrete city and what you can find the most here are either highly-dense skyscrapers or thick crowds of people. Little do you know that part of Hong Kong is an island that is designated as 'the backyard of Hong Kong', the Lantau Island. Tucked in the outskirts of the city, the island is least developed with plentiful nature reserves. So what is it all about? Read on and see what are the exciting bits others have come to love.

The lush greenery of Lantau Island

Ngong Ping 360

The Ngong Ping Cable Car is a 5.7 km long bi-cable gondola lift system that connects Tung Chung and Ngong Ping. If you are planning to visit the two attractions listed below, you can start off your day by taking the Ngong Ping Cable Car from Tung Chung. The duration for both ways is about 25 minutes, throughout the journey, get ready to be stunned by the breath-taking panoramic view of mountains and the sea. Adjacent to the cable car terminal is the Ngong Ping Village, a culturally themed village that offers shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. This can also be your starting point to other attractions listed below.

Tian Tan Buddha of popularly know as the Big Buddha

The Big Buddha

You must’ve seen on Instagram of people with different quirky poses in front of a majestic Buddha statue as if somewhere you must check-in when you visit Hong Kong. This is the Big Buddha that is located on Lantau Island. Also named as Tian Tan Buddha, it is a 34-meters high bronze statue, the 2nd largest bronze sitting Buddha in the World. On both sides of the hefty Buddha, there are 12 other statues guarding it, also known as the Twelve Divine Generals, each symbolising an animal from the Chinese Zodiac. For more meanings behind these statues, please visit the Po Lin Monastery’s official website

Still haven’t taken your cool pictures in front of the Buddha? What are you waiting for?

Address: Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping, Lantau

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Tai O is one of the last fishing villages of Hong Kong

Tai O fishing village

Hong Kong has taken a great leap, transforming from an insignificant fishing village into an international cosmopolitan that plays a critical role in the world’s economy. Nevertheless, the modern city itself still preserves its old faces in certain places.

Located on the western side of Lantau Island is the quaint, scenic Tai O fishing town. It is the perfect destination for everyone who wishes to demystify the fishing lifestyle behind such a well-developed city. With dilapidated stilt houses, boats and seafood markets, it is one of the few remaining fishing villages where you can still see them in Hong Kong. If you are a photographer or simply looking for some good spots that allow you to take ‘instagrammable’ photos, go to the Tai O fishing village.

Char Guo is a traditional Teochew dish

Don’t forget to try the local treats. You never want to miss the local food whenever you visit a place. Below are a few of the delectable treats that you need to try when you visit the fishing village:

Cha Guo – a traditional Hong Kong snack made up of glutinous rice powder, herbs and bean fillings. From savoury to sweet offerings, do give them a go!
Shrimp paste – a fermented condiment, made from crushed shrimp with salt.
Egg waffle – unlike most egg waffles you can find in Hong Kong, the ones in Tai O are cooked on top of the charcoal. Once you have tasted their egg waffles, you can never go back!

Address: Tai O, Lantau

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Mui Wo has plenty of interesting hiking trails to offer

For nature lovers, there are also easy hiking trails such as the Lion Hill, Elephant Hill and Tiger Hills If you have kids with you, you may also consider taking a boat excursion from the Tai O Fishing Village for a chance to spot the friendly Chinese Pink Dolphin!