After my morning run in Avenue of Stars I went back to my hotel and prepared for the next sight to see, Ngong Ping Village, Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery in Lantau Island. I left Tsim Sha Tsui around 8:15am and around 8:45am I was already in Tung Chung Station. Thanks to the ever reliable MTR, I wonder when can Manila have that same kind of service for trains. From Tung Chung station I walked towards the back of City Gate Outlets to catch the 9am bus (Bus 23) ride to Ngong Ping. You dont need to worry about getting lost or anything because the signages are in english.
Transferred from Lai King station to Tung Chung
City Gat Mall
Bus 23 to Big Buddha, Ngong Ping Village and Po Lin Monastery
The cable car doesn't open until 10am so the bus would be your only choice if you get their early. Unless if you have the funds to hire a cab but it will be way too expensive. The bus ride may not be as awesome as that of the cable car but the view and the price is just as good as it gets. For the whole 45min ride you get to see up close the ocean side and the mountains for 35HKD only.
Ocean view from the bus ride When we got to Ngong Ping, the village was like ghost town, shops were still close and there were just less than 5 people walking around. The old ladies cleaning the streets were nice enough to greet us a good morning. It was cold and foggy and quiet. The head of big buddha would appear and disappear from time to time because of the fog.
Ghost town!!!!
Walking with Buddha Theatre
I started my ascend to the Big Biddha and oh boy it was steep. I didnt count the number of steps but it was enough to tire me so I took selfies and videos to pace myself. I didn't wanna go all out with my energy.
This wall greets you upon entering the wide walkway to the monastery and buddha.
Almost their buddha.
Stairway to heaven?
When I got to the top, I reached for my phone to take another photo. Not of myself but of the view. It was so beautiful. The mountains getting covered with clouds. The trees so green. The temple disappearing. The cable car moving from one end to the other. It was gram worthy! And the big buddga was so huge it was the biggest I've ever seen. I wanted to shout "may forever" to the mountains but i was afraid that the guards will take me. That was so Pinoy. LOLing. It was a 360 viewing deck up there so you get to see the entire Lantau Island. There was a temple of some sort under the big buddha and a store if in case you wanted to eat or if you got thirsty but the price was way over the budget. It was wise that I brought a botted water.
Buddha bless us.
Tourist 101
The Offerings of the 6 Devas
After seeing the big buddha I went back down to check out the Po Lin Monastary in front. The descend was a whole lot easier. I saw a monk walking outside the temple and I wanted to take a photo with him but stopped myself. Thought it may be inappropriate. This is the third temple I've seen and like the two others, photos were not allowed inside.
Right side of Mahavira Hall
Po Lin Monastary
When there's a temple, there's a pond.
For the hungry souls 👌
Many people started to arrive by noon. The reataurants and the shops were open and the village was getting crowded with tourist. That was my queue that I had to leave and head to Disneyland. My last stop for the day.
You may also want to check out the Wisdom path at the far right side of the village. I wanted to walk all the way there if i hade more time. I saw photos from the internet and it was beautiful.
Ngong Ping Bus Stop back to Tung Chung
There are two options to get to and from Lantau Island.
1. From Tsim Sha Tsui MTR ➡️ alight at Lai King Station ➡️ transfer to Yellow Lane to Tung Chung Station ➡️ take Bus 23 to Ngong Ping or ride the cable car.
Expenses in Lantau Island
Bus Fare RT 70 HKD
Dimsum 12 HKD
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