When we planned for Hong Kong vacation. I wanted to visit Tian Tan Buddha the most. But Mr. Fabulous was there for business and this place needs a major part of the day. So, we waited for the weekends to explore the place. It was surely an adventure we enjoyed thoroughly. I can add, Penguin enjoyed the most. Weather was great that morning, clear skies. So, we hopped MTR, took a cable car and walked a while to have a glimpse of Hong Kong’s must-visit-place.
Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) are situated on the remote island of Lantau. The statue was erected in 1993. The majestic bronze Buddha is sitting 34 meters high, which took 12 years to complete. The Tian Tan Buddha is a statue of Amoghasiddhi Buddha who represents the wisdom of perfect practice and overcoming the poison of envy. In one-stop, one can experience Ngong Ping 360º cable car, a tourism village, a monastery, the huge Buddha statue, and Tai O- Village, a fishing village. We skipped the last one as Penguin was exhausted.
How to reach there
We took MTR and reached Tung Chung station. Taking exit B, we walked for around 20 mins and boarded Ngong Ping cable car.
You can alternatively choose to get on New Lantau bus 23 from Tung Chung town center. Or hop on a ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, then get on New Lantau Bus 2 to Ngong Ping village.
Things you need for the trip
There are shops and eatery places with a variety of options at Citygate Outlets at the end of the Tung Chung MTR line. Further, you can enjoy entertainment, shopping, and food in Ngong Ping village. There are 2 vegetarian restaurants in the village too. So, vegetarians can travel without loading snacks. However, you must have your 5 essentials with you all the time.
Our experience at Tian Tan Buddha
Ngong Ping Cable Car
Tung Chung has good options to reach Lantau island, one can take a public bus or cable car from Tung Chung square. We opted for Ngong Ping cable car, the sky-land-sea Lantau adventure. The 5.7 km cable car journey in naturally ventilated cabins is a panoramic treat. It gives a great view of Tung Chung Bay, the Hong Kong International Airport, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, the Ngong Ping plateau, Big Buddha, as well as flora and fauna of Lantau North. It takes about 25 minutes to complete the journey. One can choose a standard cabin or even a private one, we picked crystal one with a glass bottom.
We were lucky to visit on a clear day, the moment of watching Big Buddha from the cabin is spectacular.
Ngong Ping village
We entered the traditional Chinese cultural themed Ngong Ping village as soon as we alight. It is a 1.5 hectares village located next to the Ngong Ping cable car terminal and the Big Buddha. One can visit four themed attractions, taste a wide range of cuisines and shop exquisite gifts. I liked the spiritual chants vibrating in the village. The antiquity, architecture and landscaped designs of the village make a great backdrop of instagrammable pictures.
One can also enjoy virtual reality VR 360, motion 360 experience.
The Big Buddha
Walking from the village towards the mountain on right, the world’s second-largest outdoor bronze seated Buddha statue sitting atop Muk Yue Shan. If you are traveling like us, with a toddler like Penguin, pack your baby carrier. As they climb to Tian Tan Buddha has 268 steps. Mr. Fabulous wore Penguin in our Soul Sling baby carrier, both reached top before me.
Once you reach the top, the observing platform gives an awesome view of Lantau island around the statue. Surrounding Big Buddha are six smaller bronze statues known as “The Offering of the Six Devas” that are posed by offering flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit, and music to the Buddha. There is a small display museum at the base where details about the statue and about its construction with few scriptures. We spent more time enjoying the view. Our 2 years old ran around the platform. He was exhausted and I breastfed him in the carrier while climbing down.
At the base of Big Buddha, just before the stairs, counters are available which sell tickets for vegetarian meals and snacks tickets at Po Lin Monastery.
If you can, go for the Wisdom Path walk. You can witness greenery under a canopy of trees. The Wisdom Path is a series of 38 steles, upright monuments, engraved with the Chinese version of the centuries-old Heart Sutra prayer, one of the world’s best-known prayers revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists alike. These steles display the Chinese version of the prayer, based on the calligraphy of famous contemporary scholar Professor Jao Tsung-I, and are arranged in a ∞ pattern, which represents infinity. It’s said to be very peaceful to walk through. With an exhausted toddler, we had given it a miss too. Things that happen with parents and kids during vacation, sigh!
Po Lin Monastery
You can book the meal tickets from the hotel too, ask for lunch in the VIP room if want. The meals are said to be delicious, but we had to skip it this time. Unfortunate us! ☹
Tips:
If you are traveling from airport to Tian Tan Buddha or another way-round, you can, of course, carry your luggage to 268 steps. Oops, but you can’t take the cable car with luggage above 4kilos, so take the bus. Or, be smart. Wink! There is a “Left luggage” service at Tung Chung cable car terminal and Holidays 360 information center at Ngong Ping village. Check storage fees before planning the trip.
You can even try the “Left luggage” desk in Hong Kong or Kowloon stations. Leave your luggage in these stations and collect it directly at Hong Kong International airport.
Remember to have fun.
Happy vacation! By the way, if Buddhist monasteries interest you, do visit Bhutan.
HongKong is n my bucket list for ages now, I was mesmerized by the city’s grandeur and architectural history ever since saw it on TV all those years ago. These tips are amazing to help parents travel with a kid.
Hong Kong is a small yet beautiful land full of cultural history and modern grandeur.
I missed seeing the Big Buddha, loved this photo diary and teh handy tip for ticket purchase and vegetarians
It is a must visit spot. I am glad we could make it. Thanks for visiting, Mandavi 🙂
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This looks amazing, I’d love to visit hong kong some day
I have heard about this statue of Budha, Hongkong.. It is looking really beautiful.. Your pics are so tempting.. Will plan a trip to Hongkong soon.
It was a serene experience
Seems like fun vacation.. co-incidently we visited Budhha temple too recently and took cable car ride as well both with toddler..
Yes it was real fun experience with toddler
This is a real help. travelling with toddlers is difficulat and we always look for kids friendly places. Thank you for shring it across. I am bookmarking this post for future.
Thanks Gunjan
Thanks for sharing the details, it would be really helpful for my next trip with my toddler… saving it
Tian Tan Buddha is a long time dream.Your Hong Kong post will help me plan perfectly.
It ust have been an amazing experience for the toddler. He looks mesmerised with Buddha.
wonderful and informational post. this will really help people planning a visit to Hong Kong.
I have seen similar Buddha statue in Thailand also and it’s so good to see
Watching Buddha statue is serene.
wow this is amazing! your clicks make my soul happy. I also have a plan for Hong-Kong. Will explore this place for sure.
This is great experience to travel with kids ..looks like you enjoyed a lot …very nicely written
Thanks Ruchie
The bronze buddha statue looks so amazing and serene. Bookmarking this page for future reference , in case we ever plan a trip to Hong kong.
How sweet he looks? and must be amazing to see a big Bronze Buddha Statue too… I am bookmarking this
Thanks Deepa
We are planning for a HK trip in March buddy and this post is really useful. Book marked it!
Thanks Roma