hong kong lantau island day tour

Lantau Island Itinerary: The Perfect Day Trip From Hong Kong

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: January 25, 2024

Lantau Island completely contrasts the bustling and over-populated Hong Kong and Kowloon. Golden sands merge with the azure South China Sea, and forested mountains offer hiking trails and enchanting peak views.

Lantau’s centrepiece is the bronze Buddha, which sits atop the hillside and casts an ethereal gaze over the Po Lin monastery. Indeed, no Hong Kong itinerary can be complete without a visit to this fascinating island.

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Table of Contents

How to Get to Lantau Island

Public transport or an organised tour can whisk you to Lantau in 40 minutes. I usually like to travel independently, but with only a few days in Hong Kong, I let someone else act as my guide and booked a day trip to Lantau Island , complete with sightseeing and lunch.

Best Things to See on Lantau Island

Tsing ma bridge.

Maybe not the most exciting part of the day, but the Tsing Ma Bridge is the longest road/rail suspension bridge in the world.

We stopped at the viewing platform of this iconic structure before crossing to Lantau Island.

It only opened in 1997; until then, the only way to get to Lantau was by boat.

The local people welcomed the bridge’s construction, and now rail and road vehicles can travel back and forth easily, greatly reducing journey times.

After crossing the bridge, our next stop was at Hong Kong’s longest beach, Cheung Sha. It was more a convenience break than a chance to strip down to our swimming costumes and dip a toe in the South China Sea, but feeling sand between my toes in such a beautiful location was still lovely.

If you are coming to Lantau Island without a tour, allow yourself some time to spend on this 3km stretch of beach. It has two areas: the lower part, where restaurants, cafes, and watersport rentals are located, and the upper part, where we stopped, offering more of a remote vibe.

It was also scorching, so ensure you have all the protection you need for a beach day in the Hong Kong sunshine, or you may return looking like an overcooked noodle!

Tai O Fishing Village

Walking through Tai O Fishing Village was a real experience and one of Hong Kong’s hidden gems .

Traditional shops, mainly selling dried fish of every shape and size, lined the maze of small streets, and at every street corner, we noticed a tiny religious shrine.

Some of the “delicacies” on offer were quite curious, such as the fermented egg yolks that the children gobbled up like sweets, but it was a fascinating insight into the local Chinese culture.

We joined a tour boat and were shown around the small waterway for a closer look at daily life in Tai O Village.  

It was fascinating to see fishing junks tied up alongside stilted wooden houses and local people going about their everyday routines. This culture and lifestyle are a million miles away from my own, but to be part of it for a while was a privilege and an experience we thoroughly enjoyed.

Po Lin Monastery

Back on the coach, we meandered through the scenic countryside and made our way to Po Lin Monastery, home of the world’s largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha.

The Buddha was to be the highlight of the trip, and as we rounded the corner and saw the Buddha serenely gracing the skyline and looking down over the monastery, it was everything we hoped it would be.

There were 268 steps to reach Tian Tan, the official name for the Big Buddha, but we got lucky; our coach took us straight to the top, so there were no stairs to climb!

When you stand beneath the Buddha, you realise just how enormous the statue is and the remarkable feat of engineering involved in creating it.

The swastika on the Buddha’s chest is a 5000-year-old Buddhist symbol of peace and spirituality, much like the cross represents the Christian religion.

The Buddha’s right hand is raised, representing the removal of affliction, while the left rests open on his lap in a gesture of generosity. The lotus flower the Buddha sits upon represents purity.

Surrounding the Buddha stand six other statues called the Bodhisattvas, representing deities on their way to enlightenment.

Twelve Divine Generals

At the bottom of the stairs, we continued to make our way towards the monastery, where we were to be given a vegetarian lunch both prepared and served by monks.

We walked through the enormous white entrance gate and along the pathway flanked by the Twelve Divine Generals, who guard the Buddha. Each symbolised an animal from the Chinese Zodiac armed with a particular weapon. They also represent different times of the day.

General Sandira represents the horse in the Chinese zodiac and holds a conch shell.  He represents the hours of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

General Kimnara represents the tiger of the Chinese Zodiac and holds a rope, though it looks very much like a bat and ball to me! He represents the hours of 3:00 am – 5:00 am.

We came face-to-face with several sacred cows wandering along the paths, which were fun to see.

Tourists from certain countries seemed fascinated with capturing a selfie with a holy being and posed and pouted with them for ages!

Giant Incense Sticks

Several other religious buildings are located in the monastery complex, and as it is a large area, you need to give yourself a few hours to see everything at your own pace.

Incense sticks are sold in all the stalls that line the pathways, and these ceremonial sticks were probably the biggest I had ever seen. They are so big that ladders are required to get up to the top and light them, so I’m not sure they would fit in my suitcase!

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

The final part of our trip was to descend the mountain on the  Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car , the world’s longest cable car at 5.7km.

The journey takes 25 minutes from the start at Ngong Ping to finish at Tung Chung, and the 360-degree scenery en route is spectacular.

Being wary of heights, I wasn’t sure about upgrading to a crystal cabin with a transparent floor, but let’s face it, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to push me out of my comfort zone, so we just went for it.

I managed to last the journey and can report that it wasn’t as scary as I thought.

We jumped back on our tour coach at the bottom of the cable car ride and returned to our hotel, The Royal Garden in Kowloon .

We had seen all the highlights of Lantau Island and were ready to kick off our shoes and relax. Visiting Po Lin monastery and Big Buddha was very inspirational, and our organised trip gave us marvellous insight into the more serene side of Hong Kong.

Follow me on the next stop on my Round the World Trip:   Hanoi in Vietnam .

Do you need to arrange travel insurance, car hire or accommodation please check out my  travel resources page  to help you plan your trip..

Angela Price is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel. With over 35 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations. Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”

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Thursday 25th of January 2024

Who did you book this excursion with? We will be in Hong Kong at end of February for 3 days on a cruise and would like to go to Lantau. Yours sounds like a great way to do it.

WhereAngieWanders

Hi Mari, Yes a guided tour of Lantau is the best way to go. I booked my tour before I arrived (I can't remember the name of the company), but if you go back into my blog post I have included a link to a Lantau Island Tour which includes all the attractions I visited.

Saturday 28th of March 2020

What a great looking place. I’d definitely get some of the incense

Tuesday 26th of May 2020

I brought some home with me. A wonderful memory of a great trip.

Looks like such a fun day trip, the statues are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing this spot on guide, pinning for my next trip to HK!

Glad you enjoyed it. It is definitely something you must do if visiting HK, a very different experience to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Brooke of Passport Couture

Monday 3rd of February 2020

What a fascinating location! The statues are beautiful and you can see the craftsmanship it took to bring them to life. I'm glad I found your post to get some inspiration of other places to see near Hong Kong!

I'm glad you found the blog interesting. I loved Lantau Island, very different from Hong Kong.

Erin Foster

Friday 31st of January 2020

That cable car is beautiful and terrifying at the same time! I've never been anywhere in Asia but I'll add this to my list! :)

I can’t believe I did it with the glass floor cabin ! If you have never been to Asia then I would say put Vietnam at the top of your list. I’ve travelled extensively but that is my favourite country 😍

Lantau Island Full Day Tour

Lantau private walking tour, big buddha, cable-car & tai o.

Hong Kong's nature at its finest on a private Lantau Island tour

Lantau Island is known as Hong Kong’s green lung, and you can imagine stepping back in time 50 years when you visit. Most of this stunning island is untouched and can only be accessed by public transport. I will navigate you seamlessly through the highlights in this 8 hour private tour. Highlights include, a private car transfer from your accommodation to the cable-car, skip the line access at the cable-car (I am a licensed guide and so you will avoid the long lines), the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery and Tai O fishing village.

I will help you to understand the meanings of the stories that make this place so special, and how the teachings weave their way into Chinese culture and society on this experience. We will arrive by cable-car via skip-the-line access and enjoy the stunning and dramatic landscapes of Lantau on the 24-minute panoramic ride. Once we arrive to the top of the mountain, we will continue by foot to explore all corners of this uniquely different part of Hong Kong. Many times travellers visit this area as a first introduction to Buddhism, let me open it up for you! There are many things to see, but not that easy understand, such as Buddha’s story, a visit to the memory palace connected to the Big Buddha statue, and the word “emptiness” in relation to the faith – perhaps the most misunderstood word in Buddhism. I can also show you a hidden place where you will be able to “speak” directly to the Buddha. These are the things that you will not learn from a guide book.

This is an in-depth look at Tai O village. This is a must-see for anyone interested in visiting the real Hong Kong. This relaxing village is one of the best preserved places on Lantau Island, indeed the whole of Hong Kong, largely owing to the efforts of the local community… and a place to just really slow down. Situated at the end of the Pearl River Delta, where it meets the South China Sea, its history and culture are intrinsically linked to its geographical location. We will take a small boat ride to view the stilted houses for a close up look at how people live in this small enclave. There is a chance to view the Hong Kong- Macau – Zhuhai bridge from the open estuary and maybe a pink dolphin or two. Then we will visit the Tai O Heritage hotel, a former colonial police station which was converted in 2013. This has a story all on its own. Finally, we will wander through the market streets, say hello to the villagers who live there, and see all the home-made produce (much of which is linked to the preservation of fish).

Read more on this unique corner of Hong Kong on our blog – Tian Tan Buddha

Transportation Private car transfers, cable-car, boat, taxi

Meeting point options Hotel, airport, cruise port

Inclusions Private guiding service, cable-car tickets*, boat rides

Exclusions Food and drink

Hosted in (languages) English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese

Best for / tour type Best for small groups, best for families, best for nature and wildlife, best for out of town, best for shore excursion

Please enable javascript in your browser to book

Join us for one of the must-see places on your Hong Kong adventure, a day-trip to Lantau island.

Lantau is known as Hong Kong’s green lung, and you can imagine stepping back in time 50 years when you visit. Most of this stunning island is untouched and can only be accessed by public transport. We will navigate you and your guests seamlessly through the highlights in this 8 hour private tour.

Highlights include:

• private car transfer from hotel, ship or airport to cable-car station at Tung Chung
• skip the line access and the 24-minute ride of the Ngong Ping cable-car
• a introduction to the Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha
• a detailed exploration of Tai O fishing village by foot and by boat*
• a ferry ride for a close-up look at the building Hong Kong-Macau- Zhuhai tunnel
• a chance to try traditional and hard to find homemade snacks and treats

Tour price includes private car transfer to and from Tung Chung on Lantau Island. The rest of Lantau Island will be explored by by foot and by boat.

We share our passion of Hong Kong on our private tours with qualified guides otherwise known as “Greeters”. Book and explore the rural charm of Lantau Island with us on this private 8 hour Lantau walking tour.

Transport is included, food and drink are at visitors’ own expense.

Starting in Tung Chung, we will enjoy the panoramic scenery of the airport island and Lantau’s many mountains on the glorious 24-minute cable-car ride to Ngong Ping Village.

Whilst at the Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha statue, we will help explain the importance of Buddhism and how it is represented in the hearts, minds and belief system of the people of Hong Kong. We will also be walking the 268 steps up to the Big Buddha.

We will then transfer to Tai O village, a must-see for anyone living or visiting Hong Kong. This relaxing village is one of the best preserved places on Lantau, indeed the whole of Hong Kong, largely owing to the efforts of the local community… and a place to just really slow down. Situated at the end of the Pearl River Delta, where it meets the South China Sea, its history and culture are intrinsically linked to its geographical location. We will take a small boat ride to view the stilted houses and visit the Tai O Heritage hotel.

We will return by ferry to Tung Chung, the journey being overlooked by the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge, which is still under construction.

Understand this friendly island with us on this Hong Kong group tour, exploring the monasteries, temples, stilted houses, walkways, traditional fish and fish product production, plus the opportunity to buy unique homemade sweet treats and seafood.

Your Greeters

Our team of local expert guides are ready to guide you through Kong Kong

Book this tour today using our booking form

Private Walking Tour of Lantau Island

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Lantau Island Full Day Tour

Full-day excursion from Hong Kong city

Relaxing day in the island's nature

Exclusive access to restricted roads

Lantau Island, the largest of Hong Kong’s islands, lies majestically at the mouth of the Pearl River. Our tour offers an exclusive full-day immersion into the island’s natural splendor, using restricted road access vehicles to ensure you experience areas seldom seen by the typical visitor. This journey will deepen your understanding of Lantau and its vibrant life.

Feel the island’s spiritual magnetism as you explore ancient temples and serene monasteries. Walk along golden beach coastlines that stretch as far as the eye can see, and lose yourself in the lush, verdant forests teeming with diverse wildlife. Enjoy stunning panoramic views from the famous cable car, providing breathtaking perspectives of the island’s natural beauty and tranquil landscapes.

This tour is a true escape from Hong Kong’s bustling streets, offering a serene and enriching adventure into nature. Whether you’re wandering through the dense forests, relaxing on pristine beaches, or marveling at the expansive vistas from the cable car, you’ll discover a side of Hong Kong that is both peaceful and profoundly beautiful. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of Lantau Island, where nature and culture intertwine to create a unique and captivating experience.

Visit Tai O, the famous fishing village also called "the Venice of Hong Kong"

Get up close to the Giant Buddha

Explore the Po Lin Monastery

Walk the Path of Wisdom

Enjoy a relaxing full day in nature, an out of town tour visiting the nature of Hong Kong

Experience different local living styles and cultures from expatriates to fishermen to local government housing communities

Trip Details

USD $970 per group (up to 5 people) Larger groups please contact us Extra person charge USD$50 per person

Larger groups are welcome for an additional fee, as a larger vehicle will need to be rented for the day.

Availability

Daily, upon request

Approx. 9 hours

Meeting point

We can pick you up from your hotel lobby in Hong Kong or the dock of your cruise ship.

Maximum group size

If you are travelling in a group of more than 6 people and would like to book this tour, please contact us . We will need to arrange a larger vehicle for the day at a higher cost.

Transport type

Van (Toyota Alphard), driver and gasoline included

Visa requirements

Lantau Island is within Hong Kong, so only HK visa requirements apply.

• Boat ride to see stilt houses
• Refreshments

Not included

• Alcoholic drinks
• Entrance fees to monuments and museums

What to bring

• Money for souvenirs
• Entrance fees to monuments
• Please wear casual clothing, sunglasses and comfortable shoes

Your Lantau Itinerary

Escape the city: discover hong kong’s lantau island.

With This is Asia Tours, we have exclusive access to the restricted roads on Lantau Island. This means that we can go further, see more, and go where the crowds cannot! There is a lot more to see on Lantau Island than just the impressive Big Buddha monument and, would be difficult to do it on your own. Trust us to show you the best of the island and you’ll leave with a better understanding of how the island works and to truly experience local country life. We’re eager to help you experience everything Lantau has to offer and make it as enjoyable and interesting as possible.

We’ll pick your group up at your hotel lobby in Hong Kong and drive to Lantau. Before moving on to explore Big Buddha, we’ll explore the 500-year-old Tai O , a small fishing village often referred to as “ the Venice of Hong Kong .”

 Itinerary Activities Include:

• 3 choices for lunch: vegetarian (monastery style by the buddha), village fishermen style Cantonese seafood (local fisheries), burger cafe on the longest beach
• Visit the famous Cheung Sha Beach – the longest beach in Hong Kong
• Mui Wo town – a small, beautiful rural town on the island and a great opportunity to experience local country life with a possible beer
• Explore some local government housing communities, an opportunity to see where and how locals live and their lifestyles
• Spend some relaxing time getting to know the Tai O fishing village
• The possibility to visit one of the Disneyland hotels or a drive by.

Truly Experience What This Beautiful Island Has to Offer

Contrasting starkly from the concrete jungle of Hong Kong, Tai O is a humble, historic fishing village characterized by its stilt houses. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to take a boat ride down the river to get a closer look at the houses and storefronts, and you’ll gain a greater understanding of the activities on the Pearl River, which connects to the main port of Southern China. We’ll then head out into the open ocean to see if we can find one of the special pink dolphins unique to Hong Kong , as well as up close from the water seeing the longest over sea bridge in the world (Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge)

After making a few more stops around other seaside villages, temples, and monasteries , we’ll finally head to the Big Buddha to witness the stunning beauty of this monument surrounded by lush greenery. On the way back, you’ll have the option to take the Ngong Ping cable car (at your own expense) and then we’ll head to visit the local government housing communities seeing the living cultures there before going back to Hong Kong downtown. You’ll come away from this tour knowing the real Hong Kong-the lively and evolving city that everyone knows and the beautiful tranquility that lies beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

• The Big Buddha
• Tai O Fishing Village
• Cheung Sha Beach
• Stilt Houses
• Zhuhai Macau Bridge
• Seaside Villages, Temples, & Monasteries

Free cancellations up to 48 hours before your tour.

Almost all of our tours are bookable through Peek. Please see each individual tour page for specific booking links (see the Book Now button in the sidebar) or contact us  to enquire.

Public transportation, taxis, and food are quite cheap in Hong Kong, and most places we will visit accept credit card. That said, we recommend you carry around HK$500 (Hong Kong dollars) cash per person for all your small payments (i.e. travelling, snacks, small shopping).

TripAdvisor

Jacky is an outstanding tour guide. When we revisit Hong Kong, we will definitely hire him again. From start to finish he was: on time, well prepared, interesting, funny, and knew the history and relevant facts about the places we visited. Read More

Excellent tour, Jacky was great, collected us from our hotel and after the tour dropped us at the airport for our flight onto Perth. He was very accommodating, his knowledge was great of the areas we visited. Comfortable car, everything ran smoothly, I would love to go back to Hong Kong and if/when I do I would use Jacky again. Thanks Jacky for an excellent tour !!! Read More

Riverrunpast

Our private guide, Jacky Wong, couldn’t have been more professional or flexible. Thanks to his attention and expertise, our appreciation of Hong Hong and Lantau Island grew by the hour, to the point that we immediately decided to return to this magnificent place as soon as possible. Ten stars is faint praise indeed. Read More

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Hong kong tourism board, the best things to do on lantau island.

• Written by Time Out Hong Kong

Ngong Ping 360 and the Big Buddha

Wisdom Path

Tung Chung Fort

This well-preserved fort dates back to 1832, and it has quite a history. When the British took control of Hong Kong in 1898, the fort was abandoned. During World War II, Japanese forces occupied it, after which it served as a police station and then a college. The fort today stands as a relic of a bygone era, complete with six old muzzle-loading cannons and Chinese archways. If you’re really into history, don’t miss the nearby Tung Chung Battery, too. 

Cheung Sha Beach and Pui O Beach

Discovery Bay

Lantau Trail

Seventy-kilometre Lantau Trail cuts a path across the island, incorporating some of its most memorable viewpoints and wildest nature. The trail is divided into 12 sections of varying difficulty. Some of them can be pretty gruelling, so it’s no surprise that this trail makes up much of the course for the annual TransLantau ultra-marathon and remains a popular weekend destination for hikers and trail runners. Don’t miss the hike to Sunset Peak; at 869 metres, it’s the third-highest point in Hong Kong. As its name suggests, it offers the best sunset views on the island, if not the whole SAR. Visit in autumn or winter, when the surrounding silvergrass shimmers brightest.

Tai O Fishing Village

Tai O Heritage Hotel

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• Outlying Islands
• Water Sports
• Lantau Island
• Recommendations

Information in this article is subject to change without advance notice. Please contact the relevant product or service providers for enquiries.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board disclaims any liability as to the quality or fitness for purpose of third party products and services; and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy or reliability of any information contained herein.

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Lantau Island Hong Kong - Introduction, Tips, and Tour Plan

Though threatened with continual development and urbanization, Lantau Island still stands out as Hong Kong's giant nature preserve with something like 50 percent of the area still public country parkland of wooded hills and often empty beaches and shoreline.

It is Hong Kong's biggest island , and there are great places for tourists such as Hong Kong International Airport, Disneyland Hong Kion, good sized hiking peaks and nature parks, villages and small towns for cultural experiences, resorts, hotels, and other places.

With now about 130,000 people living on it, it is still sparsely populated compared to the 1.4 million people who inhabit Hong Kong Island. It is still a wonderful place to go to escape from the concrete and urban crowds of Hong Kong.

What is Lantau Island?

• Area: 147 square kilometers (57 square miles)
• Recommended stay: 2 days

It is the largest of the islands of Hong Kong. It is about twice the size of Hong Kong Island, but it has about 1/10th of the population. The area near the airport is a rapidly expanding small city that is encroaching on the natural areas, farms, and countryside.

Transportation between the populated northern side of Lantau and the rest of Hong Kong and Macau is convenient, but a ban on private vehicles and circuitous roads makes travel to the rural southern and western sides and the parklands in the east more difficult. But as it is, most of it is still a quiet and more natural setting and is a wonderful place for bicycle riders, pedestrians and hikers.

Who Enjoys Lantau?

Children, adults, nature lovers, hikers, mountain bikers, campers, surfers, people who like seafood, people who like little Cantonese villages, and people who like thrill rides can all find something to do and enjoy in Lantau.

It is mainly a relaxing place to get away from the urban crowds, enjoy some countryside and sea, and a simpler, slower way of life.

What are Lantau Island's Main Highlights?

On the large island, there are many good places to go and visit. But these are the main highlights:

Natural and scenic

• Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
• Lantau Peak
• Sunset Peak
• Pui O Beach

Theme parks

Hong Kong Disneyland

Our suggested hong kong island 2-day tour plan.

For an optimal two day visit during your stay in Hong Kong, we recommend seeing these highlights and doing these things as priorities in this order in a tour over two days. You'll experience the island's best scenery, nature, culture and experiences for a varied and enjoyable visit.

Day 1 for Scenic Countryside Excursions and Outdoors

• Morning: MTR over Tsing Ma Bridge to Tung Chung Station
• Lantau Peak and/or Sunset Peak
• Lunch: Pui Wo or Mui O. Pui O is quaint, far less and has beachside restaurants and little restaurants in the village.
• Pui O Beach if the weather is good.
• Overnight accommodations in a local hotel

Day 1 - Morning Arrival

Go to Tung Chung's Ngong Ping cable car: To start the day optimally, avoid the morning rush hour crowds and traffic. So go after 8:30, and try to be there when it opens around 10 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends and holidays.

Chinese crowds arrive around 11, and the line can get very long. So to avoid the lines and the pushy crowds, try to be there before the gate opens and definitely avoid the busy holidays and weekends. Try to purchase your tickets directly online or through agents before you go.

Transport: For public transport, we recommend taking the MTR to Tung Chung Station. It will take you about 5 minutes to walk over to the cable car from Exit B. If you take the train, you get the added bonus of going over Tsing Ma Bridge. See the Transport information below.

China Highlights' agents can help with purchases and private transport. We can facilitate a whole tour of Lantau and the region or accommodate you in assisting your Hong Kong visit in other ways according to your plans. We take care of the tickets and transportation.

Get an Octopus card: Hong Kong is fairly unique in the world because you can purchase a card that you can swipe to pay for MTR and bus fares, and it might also be used to pay for many other things such as purchases at supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants.

The card allows people to travel without standing in line to buy tickets. Cardholders simply swipe their cards and their fares are deducted electronically. You can buy these at the MTR station ticket windows and then use them for more convenience to pay for things in the park.

No ID is required to buy one, and you can add money as you wish and return the card to a station window for some money back.

Morning - Enjoy the Peaks

Ride the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car : The ride takes about 25 minutes. Hopefully, by getting your tickets beforehand, you're waiting time will only be a few minutes. It is the longest bi-cable system in Asia.

Ngong Ping Village: The cable car station is at Ngong Ping Village. Entertainment, tea houses, and food outlets are available.

Hike up Lantau Peak: If you are fit, a hike up Lantau Peak is a memorable adventure. But be careful if it is a rainy day since the rocky steps are slick. The rocks are also sort of unstable. It is a fairly hard stair climb for an hour. For more information, see the Lantau Peak section of Lantau Island Hiking Guide .

However, you don't need to go all the way to the top to enjoy the mountain. You can stop along the way, enjoy the views and turn back. Alternatively, you can walk the Lantau Trail to Pak Kung Au in about 2 and a half to 3 hours. Pak Kung Au has a little bus station where you can catch the 3M to Pui O and Mui Wo or catch a taxi. Since you are going downhill, the walk down might not prove so strenuous. Pak Kung Au is in between Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak.

If you have the energy, you might want to continue on and walk the Lantau Trail up towards Sunset Peak and see some views, but walking a full round trip from Pak Kung Au to the top of Sunset Peak and back to the bus station takes about 3 to 5 hours depending on your condition and how long you stop along the way. Try to save your time and energy for the afternoon.

If you decide to just stay in the Po Lin Monastery area, you can catch Bus 2 from the bus station down to Pui O and Mui Wo.

Have lunch: You can have lunch at Pui O or Mui Wo. If you want to go to the beach, go to Pui O. Its beach is much better than Mui Wo's beach and has beachfront cafes and restaurants.

Mui Wo is a bigger and more developed tourist town.

Afternoon - Enjoy the Restaurants/Beach/Sightseeing

Both Mui Wo and Pui O are good places to relax, stroll around, and sightsee. At Pui O, you can rent surfboards if the waves are up. You can also go on the water in canoes and small boats. It is a nice sandy beach and cleaner than Mui Wo's beach.

Both towns have water buffalos walking around in them. Don't be afraid of them, but don't purposefully spook them either.

Dinner: There are many more restaurants to choose from in Mui Wo than Pui O. You can find accommodations for the night in either town.

Day 2 Option 1 - Disneyland Hong Kong

If you really want to go to Disneyland, then we recommend you make it a full day trip.

• Hong Kong Disneyland (full day) See Disneyland below for the full day tour plan.

China Highlights' agents can help with purchases and private transport. We can facilitate a whole One-Day Hong Kong Disneyland Visit as per the described Tour Plan or accommodate you in other ways according to your plans. We can take care of the tickets and transportation.

Public transport: At the end of the day at Disneyland, you can use the MTR to go back.

Day 2 Option 2 - Noah's Ark/Olympic Trail/Mui Wo

For a more varied experiences, especially suited for someone who wants more outdoor and local culture experiences, for older adults, or for families with small children, we suggest:

• Noah's Ark Theme Park (half day)
• Lunch or dinner on Ma Wan Island
• If there is time and you want to hike more: Olympic Trail to Mui Wo. A late afternoon/evening walk catching the sunset is especially beautiful if the weather is good.
• Take the Star Ferry back to Central

Ma Wan Island and Noah's Ark Theme Park are gentler, smaller, and quieter attractions better suited for small children and older adults than Disneyland. This small island is adjacent to Lantau and is connected by another big bridge.

The huge Ark replica is interesting as is the view of Tsing Ma Bridge (from below). There is a small hill to hike that has excellent scenery including another huge bridge, free gardens, museums, small parks and public beach.

The beach is clean, has lifeguards and public facilities, and it is better suited for small children than Pui O's beach or Mui Wo's beach. The waves are gentler, and it is quieter.

Dining: Noah's Ark Harvest House is known for their excellent seafood buffets and children friendly atmosphere. There is also a selection of assorted cafes and restaurants along the beachfront.

Olympic Trail: This is a well paved walking and biking path down to Mui Wo. If you do the walk in the late afternoon or evening, you can be rewarded with beautiful sunset views over Mui Wo. You could have dinner in Mui Wo.

Transport: Board a ferry back to Central. We recommend the slow ferry. It takes about an hour, but the excellent scenery and relaxed ride is a good way to rest, unwind, and be refreshed. The fast ferry will get you back in about 40 minutes. See Transport information below.

Disneyland Hong Kong is a fairly small but popular theme park attracting about 8 million visitors a year as of 2019, and they are adding new facilities.

This theme park is part of the Disneyland chain of amusement parks and is mainly designed for children and adults who like thrill rides. Its small area makes it mainly suited for a day visit.

• It has seven theme lands: Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
• Three big, plush hotels/resorts provide luxury overnight accommodations and entertainments.
• For fast transport, a special MTR Line connects it to the MTR metro system.

Po Lin Monastery

Po Lin Monastery: It is a Buddhist worship area and tourist area with one of the world's biggest metal Buddhas.

• Tian Tan Buddha is one of the world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statues.
• It has a popular vegetarian restaurant.

The Lantau Island and Po Lin Monastery 1-Day Seat-in-Coach Tour is an option.

The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

• The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is a visually spectacular 5.7 kilometers bi-cable elevated car.
• It provides quick access in 25 minutes from the MTR Tung Chung Station to Lantau Peak, the Lantau Trail hiking path, the parkland areas, and Po Lin Monastery.
• The ride provides breathtaking vistas of the contrasting often deep blue sea and lush green mountainsides.

Tai O (a Tiny Village on Stilts)

• Tai O is a real, ancient Chinese Hong Kong village on the western extreme of Lantau Island.
• A community of fishermen with seafood restaurants
• Known as a village of houses built on wooden stilts in the water

Tsing Ma Bridge

• Tsing Ma Bridge is the world's 11th-longest span suspension bridge.
• It looks like the Golden Gate Bridge, but it is stouter and heavier looking. Its 1,377 meter (4,518 feet) main span is the heaviest and longest of all the bridges in the world that carry rail traffic.
• The bridge allows quick access between the nearby Hong Kong urban area and the airport on Lantau Island.

Peaks and Parklands

Lantau Peak is the second highest summit in Hong Kong with an elevation of 934 meters (3,064 feet). The climb, starting from Po Lin, takes about one hour. It is one of the best spots to catch the sunrise .

Sunset Mountain is the third highest peak in Hong Kong at a height of 869 meters (2,851 feet). You can start from Mui Wo and hike up the Lantau Trail. This climb takes about 2½ to 4 hours depending on your fitness and conditions. The beautiful sunset is the best reward for your effort.

The Lantau Trail

The Lantau Trail traverses through large country parks, over low mountains that you can hike to the top of, and by good beaches, and it connects with other hiking paths. The hiking paths on Lantau are among Hong Kong's best.

• Three country parks: Lantau North Extension, Lantau North, Lantau South
• Mountains: Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak are Hong Kong's second and third highest mountains in Hong Kong.
• Other highlights: Cheungsha Beach, Tai O, Pui O and Pui O Beach
• Time needed: Hiking the whole trail takes days.
• Rigor: Moderate

Hiking is an excellent way to see the sights. The trail was opened in 1984. The 70-kilometer trail is a loop, starting and finishing in Mui Wo. It takes two or three days to finish the whole route.

It has distance posts marking every 500 meters. There are sign boards and maps at trail junctions and good facilities for hikers. There is a variety of scenery from mountain grasslands to jungles to seashores to villages.

Beaches and Shorelines

Cheungsha Beach is about 2 kilometers long, and it is relatively empty. It is divided into two parts by a headland. The eastern side has a village, beachside restaurants, and a sandy shore for playing in the water. The longer western side has rocky boulders.

Silvermine Bay Beach is a beach that is about a 13 minute walk away from the Mui Wo Ferry Pier. There are lifeguards on duty at the swimming area.

Pui O Beach is a camping spot with wild camping facilities. It is part of Lantau South Country Park that is the largest natural park in Hong Kong with an area of 56 square kilometers (22 square miles).

The Best Time for a Visit

The best time to visit Lantau Island is from October to December when it is cool and dry. Rainy, cloudy weather usually commences in January.

The summers are beautiful, warm, and sunny, but there are occasional tropical storms.

Travel Essentials for Planning a Trip

The island is about 11 kilometers (7 miles) due west of Hong Kong Island.

How to Get There

Flights: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located off the north coast of Lantau Island. It is very convenient for international travelers wanting to visit Lantau Island.

Rail: MTR's Airport Express links the airport and Central, Hong Kong's business district. It only takes 23 minutes to travel between the two.

The Tung Chung MTR goes from Central to Tung Chung near Ngong Ping. It has a branch line at Sunny Bay Station to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

Ferries: A slow ferry service is available between Mui Wo and Central's Pier 6 with a transportation time of about 55 minutes. The cost is 14.5 HKD for regular class. The fast ferry takes about 40 minutes and costs about 29 HKD. Prices are higher on both types of ships on Sundays and public holidays.

A 24-hour ferry service connects Pier 3 in Central and Discovery Bay. The transportation time is 25 minutes plus about 10 minutes to walk across the pier.

Nearby Attractions

• Victoria Peak: As the highest peak on Hong Kong Island, it is the best spot to have a bird's-eye view of Victoria Harbour. Half of it is parkland, and the other half is mall.
• Lamma Island: A much smaller but interesting to experience island east of Lantau.
• Noah's Ark Resort: It is a family friendly theme park designed after Noah's Ark especially for children. The hotel provides good accommodations, and the restaurant, beach, and park facilities make it a good family resort.

Touring Lantau Island with China Highlights

If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of central Hong Kong, Lantau Island is the perfect place to go. Enjoy a delightful and worry-free tour with us.

Our knowledgeable guide will share the interesting stories of the island with you and will lead you to the best spots for taking pictures. Your driver will ferry you conveniently with care.

Here are Hong Kong tours that visit Lantau Island. You can modify these tours for going to the places you want around the region.

• One-Day Hong Kong Disneyland Tour Package : We will take care of tickets and transfers to save your time and energy.
• 4-Day Hong Kong Family Tour : Disneyland Park and highlights of Hong Kong. Tell us if you want to modify the tour plan for various excursions on Lantau or other places in Hong Kong or China.

Tell us what modes of travel and sightseeing options you prefer, and we'll tailor-make a tour for you.

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