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| View of Big Buddha from the Cable car |
The biggest attraction (for me definitely it is) in Hong Kong, is the giant Tian Tan -Big- Buddha on Lantau Island.
This awesome bronze Buddha statue sits on the Mount Muk Yue, one of the biggest outdoor Buddha statues in the world!
The name, Tian Tan (which means altar/temple of heaven) derives from its base, the Tian Tan Temple in Beijing.
Attractions:
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
- Ngong Ping Village
- Tian Tan Big Buddha
- Po Lin Monastery
- By Cable Car from Tung Chung MTR Station, Exit B, behind the Citygate Outlet (25 mins. to the top)
- From the same station by the New Lantao Bus 23 (Exit B) which takes abt. 45 minutes
- From Central Pier 6 Ferry -->Mui Wo take the New Lantao Bus 2 which takes abt. 40 mins. to get to the Ngong Ping Village
Before I visited to Big Buddha, my idea of this place was rather spiritual than touristy. I was wrong. Unfortunately it brought some not too pleasant experiences too, so it might be important to plan in advance how do we want to get there and when.
Try to avoid the weekend crowd, especially if you are planning your visit by Cable car.
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| Way to the Cable car and the Bus 23 |
The 5.7 km cable car journey is a must and worth the money. Awesome view for the Island no doubt, I loved it once we had finally reached the end of the queue for our tickets.
The negative part, at that very moment you sit into the cable car, photographers will take pictures of you and by the time you arrive to the Village, one person will show up immediately with about 5 different type of souvenirs made with your pictures to sell you them!! Key chain, album...etc, I was literally shocked by that, how do they produce that much products within 25 mins?!?
I'm sure most of us would have felt embarrassed to refuse those items to buy, so did we.., but in case you take only one item they still give you a "gift coupon" which entitles you for a FREE photo! Hmm...., sounds suspicious, right? Yes, it was!
Just another attempt to drag you into some purchase lol! Coz' you have to pose inside the souvenir shop then outside and you can choose one photo for free and get an offer for the rest of the manipulated pictures with the Big Buddha, HK Skyline, dragon dancers etc...
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| HK International Airport can be seen from the Cable Car |
Ngong Ping Village: place for shopping and dinning : Starbucks, Honeymoon Desssert etc..
Here is a short video I took in the village:
The magic awaits you once you reach the Mountain Gate towards the Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha's sight is finally getting closer! Only 268 steps up to go!
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| The Mountain Gate |
Behind the Gate you can see the Twelve Divine Generals' statues:
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| The General Makura |
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| Only 268 steps! |
The small bronze statues around the Big Buddha called : The Offering of the Six Devas".
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| The Six Divas are offering flowers, incenses to Tian Tan Buddha |
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| Tian Tan Buddha close up |
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| View from the top |
Po Lin Monastery:
The park which leads to the Monastery is the Bauhinia Park:
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| People are lighting huge incenses and burning joss papers |
Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda:
Main Shrine Hall of Buddha:
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| Buddhas of Three Worlds |
Tips for a wonderful and memorable time with the Tian Tan Big Buddha:
- Book your cable car tickets online to avoid the weekend crowd
- Take your camera, tripod or selfie stick to make your own precious and authentic moments instead of falling into the so called tourist traps await you there.
- I suggest you to buy souvenirs from the Ladies Market at Mongkok, instead of the Ngong Ping Village, there you may find them cheaper.
- There is an exhibition hall inside the Big Buddha, which is not free of charge.
- There are two vegetarian restaurants near the Main Shrine Hall, the Deli Vegetarian Cafe and the Po Lin Vegetarian Restaurant. We have tried the Cafe and although 'am not picky, I didn't like the food there at all! I guess for the main restaurant a meal ticket must be bought in advance, If I remember well, I have seen a stall at the bottom of Big Buddha, where you can get it..
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