Introduction
One of the many highlights of Hong Kong is the Tian Tan Buddha also known by the locals as the Big Buddha. The Big Buddha is part of the entire Ngong Ping 360 (NP360) experience.
If you like to try the NP360, check out more information in this website.
http://www.np360.com.hk/en/
In this entry, I will be focussing only on the following places which I visited.
- Tian Tan Buddha
- Po Lin Monastery
- Path of Wisdom and Lantau Peak
- Tai-O Fishing Village
Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)
Located on Lantau Island, HK’s favourite hiking spot, I first headed over to Tung Chung MTR. Tung Chung MTR houses a very modern and beautiful mall. So if you are on a rush, you can have your breakfast here.
From Tung Chung MTR, there are several ways to get up to Big Buddha. The most scenic route is to hike. The route is not short and pretty difficult even for the seasoned hiker. Expect anything between 6 to 8 hours of hike, so I been told.
The second scenic route is to take the cable car. The ticket prices vary and are on sale on site. There is always a crowd here, so you may want to get the ticket from your hotel before coming over. It saves a lot of time. Most hotels do sell return tickets for the cable car ride. Ask your friendly hotelier.
The final two options includes taking a bus, which ferries people daily up to the peak or a cab.
I took the cable car option, which gave a beautiful, scenic view of Lantau Island, trekking path up to Big Buddha, the airport and Big Buddha, himself.
Cable car ride takes about 20 minutes or so to reach the peak cable car station. If you hadn’t notice, there was someone who took a photo of you in the cable car. If you want it as a souvenir, you can purchase it at the peak station.
The Big Buddha is both a temple where people come to pray and also a famous tourist attraction. So be cautious and be respectful. There is only path to the Big Buddha and it is difficult to miss.
Between the peak cable car station and the Big Buddha, there are many side attractions including souvenir shops, “Boddhi Tree”, Stage 360 and Motion 360. The bus stop is also located somewhere in between.
The entry to Big Buddha is free but there is a small fee to pay if you like to enter the inner sanctum of the temple. The Big Buddha statue itself is hollow and houses a temple on the inside. There are many steps up to the Big Buddha. If you are in moderate physical condition, you can do this easily without much trouble.
After the steps, be rewarded with a beautiful view of the surrounding hills. Next stop, Po Lin Monastery.
Po Lin Monastery
Po Lin Monastery is just a stone throw away from the Big Buddha statue.
The monastery houses a prayer place and the very sumptuous vegetarian diet meal.
So, it is also a great place to grab lunch.
Path of Wisdom and Lantau Peak
Many people miss the Path of Wisdom, in a literal sense. The Path of Wisdom can be reached in 15 to 20 minutes walk.
At times you may lose your way but fret not as there are signs everywhere to keep you on the right path. It is a quiet and serene walk. Something to enjoy if you can get here on during mornings or late evenings.
I don’t quite get what the Path of Wisdom is all about but it is a wonderful place that you should not miss. It is not mentioned on a lot of travel sites and it didn’t even pop up on Trip Advisor. I guess this is one of those off the beaten path things.
From here you get a view of the famous Lantau Peak. It looks like a short hike but it easily takes 60 minutes to get up there. The hike is steep and it is not easy. I don’t recommend doing the hike unless you came prepared. Most don’t make it to the top just due to pure exhaustion.
Tai-O Fishing Village
If you decided after Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Path of Wisdom and Lantau Peak is enough, then head on back to the cable car station to return back Tung Chung MTR.
However, if you are like me (adventurous) then Tai-O Fishing Village (TOFV) should be your next stop.
There are only two ways to get to TOFV. One by bus and the other by taxi.
Both ways require going back to the Big Buddha site. From the Big Buddha, keep walking to the direction of the cable car station, midway there should be a bus stop.
I can’t recall the bus number that goes to Tai-O Fishing Village, but there are signage written clearly. Do note the buses can be old and sometimes the AC may not be working. In 10 minutes or so, the bus will drop you off at TOFV.
So what can you expect at TOFV?
I missed this signboard when I arrived but these are the places you can visit. The last 4 are not on the local tour signboard.
- Lookout Pavillion
- Yeung Hau Temple
- Kwan Tai Temple
- Waterfront Promenade
- Tin Hau Temple
- Historic and Cultural Showroom
- Culture Workshop
- Salt Workers Quarters
- Tai-O Gallery
TOFV is this old fishing village which now survives on tourist dollar. It has this old town rustic charm to it as you walk through the narrow paths. Stilt houses and suspended bridges are the norm.
Besides, visiting the local sights, do check out the restaurants, take a boat ride, eat street food and buy local souvenirs.
From what I understood the village does not get any government support for tourism. So that sucks.
Get ready for a lot of walking with water, pair of comfortable walking shoes and a good hat.
On my final leg here on TOFV, I decided not to go back to the cable car as the last cable car ride closes at 6pm. On top of that I could not find the bus that goes back to Big Buddha site. It was a very uncomfortable and hot bus ride down to Tung Chung MTR which took about 20 to 30 minutes.
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