Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong. It used to be full of fishing villages, but with recent developments like the international airport, Disneyland Hong Kong, and an extended subway line, the place is changing. But there is still a strong fishing presence that’s pretty fascinating to explore.

Lantau Island is referred to as “the lungs of Hong Kong” because of the jungle environment and relative scarcity of the high rise buildings that the Mainland and Hong Kong Island is known for. In fact, more than 50% of the island is national parks. It reminds you that Hong Kong is actually in a latitude that  is conducive to jungle lands. It’s a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Lantau Island makes you forget that one of the largest urban cores in the world is less than 10 miles away.

Ngong Ping Cable Car

Imagine floating trough the air at heights reaching 585 meters above sea level, with windows all around you, even below your feet, for 25 minutes, passing over mountains, jungle and villages with an unimpeded view of the South China Sea. This is the experience you’ll get on the Ngong Ping Cable Car.

As you’re riding it, you’ll see a road jutting out into the sea, seemingly going nowhere. It’s not a secret Chinese military port, as I assumed it was. No, it’s the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, a 55 km (34 miles) bridge-tunnel combo route to get to Macau. It consists of three bridges, an undersea tunnel and four man-made islands. It’s the longest sea crossing on earth.

How much does it cost?

You have 2 cabin choices: standard or crystal. The crystal cars have glass bottoms, the standard cars don’t. I’ve done both, and think it’s worth the extra few bucks to see what’s going on under you. It’s a cool perspective. Prices for adult tickets below:

Standard: Round trip: 235HKD ($30USD) Single: 160HKD ($20USD)

Crystal: Round trip: 315HKD ($40USD) Single: 215HKD ($27USD)

How to get there

Hop on the Tung Chung line (orange) to Tung Chung, take exit B and follow the signs to the Cable Car Terminal. You’ll walk through the plaza, past a 7eleven, and see the terminal ahead.

The 5.7 km cable car is an experience unto itself, but it takes you to even more impressive sights: Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.

Tian Tan Buddha

Also known as the Big Buddha, Tian Tan is an 85 foot (26 meter) tall bonze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni located at the Ngong Ping Plateau. You can climb the 250 stairs to the Buddha and really get a sense of the size.

While the Big Buddha is the star of the show, I was obsessed with the 6 smaller bronze statues surrounding him. The six devas are posed offering flowers, incense, a lamp, ointment, fruit and music symbolizing the six perfections of generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation and wisdom, all necessary to reach enlightenment. Take a walk around the Big Buddha to appreciate it’s detail and that of the surrounding deva statues.

How to get there

Get to the Tung Chung subway stop. From there you have 3 options:

1. Ngong Ping Cable Car (see above). This is the fastest and most convenient way (about 20-25 minutes, not including the wait time) but also the most expensive ($20-$40, depending on single or round trip and standard or crystal cabin).
2. Take Bus 23 from the Tung Chung subway stop. This takes about 30-40 minutes  and costs $2.50 USD.
3. Hike. It takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hrs and is 6 miles long all on a well-maintained trail.

Po Lin Monastery

Also located on the Ngong Ping Plateau, the Po Lin Monastery, founded in 1906, is cool to explore. Walking from the Big Buddha, you pass through rows on burning incense and people praying. I bought some of the big sticks of incense and still burn it in my house, it’ll last forever I think.

Tai O Fishing Village

Tai O is an island created by a fork in the Tai O river. It was traditionally a fishing village, and interestingly enough, a  hub for smuggling a bunch of stuff out of China (guns, drugs, tobacco and people).

Both activities are dying down, so now Tai O has become a congregation of squatters and those who don’t have the means or desire to move, living in stilt houses over the river, selling what they can at the local fish markets.

Tai O isn’t very big, so spend your time there getting lost in the narrow streets, over the bridges, peeking into the houses when you can do so slyly, and grabbing some food if it looks good.

How to get there

From the Ngong Ping village, grab bus 21 to Tai O, or grab a taxi.

From Tung Chung subway station, take bus 11 to Tai O, then walk for around five minutes to the Rope-drawn Ferry Bridge and take a stroll along the waterfront. Takes about an hour.

Beaches

Lantau Island is said to have the best beaches in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to any of the beaches on Lantau Island, but I asked some Hong Kong locals and experts, and they recommend the following beaches.

Cheung Sha Beach

The longest beach in Hong Kong, Cheung Sha Beach is actually made up of two beaches: Lower  and Upper. Lower Cheung Sha Beach is where you’ll find all the restaurants and cafes. Upper Cheung Sha Beach is more secluded.

How to get there:

From Hong Kong Island: Catch the ferry at Central Ferry Pier to Mui Wo from Pier 6. From Mui Wo Ferry Pier, take either bus 1, 2 or 4 to the Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen bus stop.

From Tung Chung Subway stop: Take bus 11 to Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen.

Tong Fuk Beach

Nestled up against some mountains, Tong Fuk Beach is usually not that crowded making it easy to find a solitary spot to relax. And the restaurants in this area are killer.

How to get there:

From Hong Kong Island: Catch the ferry at Central Ferry Pier to Mui Wo from Pier 6. From Mui Wo Ferry Pier, take either bus 1, 2 or 4 to the Tong Fuk Village bus stop.

From Tung Chung Subway stop: Take bus 11 to the Tong Fuk Village bus stop.