When people think of Hong Kong, shopping, dim sum, milk tea, and the iconic skyline usually come to mind. But beyond the city’s glitz and glamour, there’s a quieter and more scenic side waiting to be explored, Ngong Ping in Lantau Island.
Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a break from the crowds, Ngong Ping offers a refreshing escape with cultural landmarks, mountain views, and a slower pace of travel.
What's in Ngong Ping?
Ngong Ping is a scenic highland in the western part of Lantau Island, known for its peaceful atmosphere, cultural landmarks, and mountain views. Getting there is already part of the experience, especially if you take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car with its sweeping views of the island.
Once you arrive, you’ll find several key attractions, from the iconic Tian Tan Buddha to traditional monasteries and scenic walking paths. It’s a place where sightseeing, culture, and nature come together. Thus, making it a popular stop for visitors exploring beyond Hong Kong’s city center.
How to Get to Ngong Ping (Lantau Island)
The most popular way to reach Ngong Ping is via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung. The ride takes around 25 minutes and offers panoramic views of Lantau Island, the airport, and the surrounding sea—making it a must-do for many visitors.
To get to Tung Chung, simply take the MTR Tung Chung Line and get off at Tung Chung Station. From there, the cable car terminal is just a short walk away.
If you’re traveling on a budget, you can also take a bus from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping. While it’s more affordable, the journey is longer and less scenic compared to the cable car.
👉 For a detailed step-by-step guide, ticket options, and tips, check out my full guide on riding the Ngong Ping 360 cable car here: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Guide: How to Go, Prices & What to Expect
Things to Do in 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 why you should visit Ngong Ping.
1. Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
Of course, the very first highlight on the list would be the cable car - Ngong Ping 360. You can see the magnificent view of Tung Chung, the Airport Area, the 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!
2. Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)
Before you even reach the end of the cable car ride, Tian Tan Buddha called The Big Buddha will be waving at you. You can't miss this big bronze statue and almost everyone goes straight to the statue right away upon reaching Ngong Ping.
To reach the base of the Buddha, you will climb 268 steps. No, I didn't count the steps as I was too busy panting and catching my breath. Apart from that, I was so absorbed in taking photos and looking for someone to take my photo. Thank God I found someone and he took a photo of me but boy I look awkward, as usual. Nothing new!
Upon reaching the base of the Buddha, enjoy the 360-degree view of the village. You can see the whole village as if it's a miniature. If the weather is nice, you will be able to see the nearby hills and the scenery within Lantau Island as well.
3. Po Lin Monastery
Just like how you can't miss the Tian Tan Buddha, you can't miss the Po Lin Monastery either.
Whether monasteries are your thing or not, Po Lin Monastery is a sight to behold. Po Lin Monastery is a Buddhist temple and it is huge with intricate details everywhere I look. The details on the pillars and the ceiling look similar to the details of the pillars of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
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.
To show respect (to the temple), I didn't take any photos of the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas (most temples do not allow it). We were not allowed to enter as well but there were just no words to explain my awe when I saw all the gold buddhas inside.
There were five huge golden buddhas in the middle and they were surrounded by thousands of small buddhas all around.
4. Wisdom Path
Afterward, walk a little further to see the not-so-famous Wisdom Path. Signposts are scattered around the village to guide you on how to reach Wisdom Path. It will be a short walk in nature with lots of plants and trees around.
Before you know it, the Wisdom Path will be in front of you. It is considered as 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 understand the inscription on the wooden columns, the Wisdom Path is a nice and quiet area away from all the crowd. Very few take the additional walk but expect to come across some tourists as well.
From the Wisdom Path, you can walk a few meters further to the left (when you are facing the Wisdom Path) for a nice view of all the wooden columns.
5. Lantau Trail (Multiple Hiking Options!)
For a hiker like me, this one's a highlight! Similar to the 50-kilometer Hong Kong Trail, the Lantau Trail is another long-distance trail in Hong Kong. 20 kilometers longer, the Lantau Trail is divided into 12 sections. The start of Section 4 is near the Wisdom Path so you can even start from here!
And if the idea of Lantau Trail doesn't attract you, yet you still want to do some hiking, you may check Nei Lak Shan Country Trail in Lantau Island as well.
Look at the waterfalls and the nicely done trail! It's not ragged and extreme but more like a nice walk in the park, isn't it? Based on Google Maps, this trail is part of the Nei Lak Shan Country Trail (feel free to correct me). Unfortunately, I was not able to hike these two trails yet - Lantau Trail and Nei Lak Shan Country Trail. However, I'll definitely come back for this and I will also continue the Hong Kong Trail since I only managed up to Section 6.
I know that 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!
