The Wonders of Lantau

Lantau Island is where you will touch down in Hong Kong. Home to the international airport, the region’s largest island is also the address for Disneyland. But, there’s much more to Lantau that make it worthy of return. Well known as the ‘Big Buddha’, the Tian Tan Buddha rises to the towering height of 34 metres and is one of the world’s tallest seated bronze Buddha statues. There are 268 steps leading up to the statue—a worthwhile trek to see the tranquil figure up-close. Opposite it is the Po Lin monastery, a key centre for Buddhism with splendid architectural design, colourful iconography and time-honoured traditions. The best way to get there is via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, which connects Tung Chung below with Ngong Ping Village on the upper end. Only a ten-minute walk away from the statue and monastery, the culture-themed destination is popular for shopping, dining and some mind-bending virtual reality attractions. Beyond these iconic venues, Lantau is also home to ancient forts, indigenous wildlife, fishing villages, hiking trails and spectacular beaches.