Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and Ngong Ping Village are all located adjacent to one another at Lantau Island, making it easy to explore these top tourist attractions in Hong Kong.
Before You Go
There are important things to keep in mind before going to Ngong Ping Village, Big Buddha, and Po Lin Monastery to get the most out of your time there:
- Check Lantau Island’s weather using an app or live cams before you go. You may not want to go there when it is foggy as you will hardly see anything there.
- Dress appropriately and respectfully if you want to visit Po Lin Monastery as it is an active monastery.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you need to climb 268 steps to reach the base of the Big Buddha statue. There are also hiking trails nearby that you may want to go.
- Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses as you may spend a lot of time outdoor, especially if you’re traveling during the summer months. Also consider carrying a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella in case of sudden showers.
How to go to Ngong Ping Village, Big Buddha, and Po Lin Monastery
To get to Big Buddha or Po Lin Monastery, you first have to go to Ngong Ping Village. The fastest and easiest way to do so is by taking the MTR to Tung Chung station and continuing with the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. You can also take a bus or a taxi, though the journey may be longer or more expensive.
If you’re coming from Central, Kowloon, Mong Kok, or any other area in downtown Hongkong, here’s how:
1. Go to Tung Chung by MTR (Recommended) or Bus E11/E21/E23
Ride the MTR from any station along the Tung Chung line. Don’t take the Airport Express Line, as it won’t stop in Tung Chung. If you live in Central, you can start from the Hong Kong MTR Station. The duration is around 33 minutes and the fare is around HKD 15-23 one way with an Octopus Card, depending on where you live.
As an alternative, you can ride Bus E11 from the Central area or Bus E21/E23 from Kowloon or Mong Kok area. I don’t recommend riding a bus to Tung Chung, as the fare is only slightly cheaper than MTR but the duration could take up to around two hours, which is significantly longer.
2. Ride 360 Cable Car or Bus 23 to Ngong Ping Village
Once you arrive at Tung Chung MTR Station, go to Exit B and head west of the Citygate Outlet Mall until you find the Ngong Ping 360 ticketing office and platform entry.
The cable car ride is approximately 25 minutes one-way to Ngong Ping Cable Car Station. A single round-trip adult ticket should cost between HKD 235 and HKD 275 depending on which cable car cabin you choose, while a single trip should cost between HKD 160 and HKD 200. You can buy the tickets there or online up to 14 days before your visit.
If you are anxious about heights, you can go to the Tung Chung bus terminal and take Bus 23 to Ngong Ping Village instead. The ride will take approximately one hour, and a single fare during weekdays is approximately HKD 19, while it is HKD 31 on holidays.
Both Ngong Ping 360’s cable car and Bus 23 offer different scenic views of Lantau Island, but you should at least ride the cable car once to experience the breathtaking views from above. Moreover, it can save you around 35 minutes by taking the cable car.
3. Walk to Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
Once you arrive at the cable car or bus station, you should see Ngong Ping Village in front of you, ready to be explored. Keep heading southeast until you reach Ngong Ping Piazza. From there, you can either go right to the Big Buddha and walk up 268 steps or head east further to Po Lin Monastery.
Alternative: By Ferry from Central to Mui Wo
If you would like to go by ferry, you can ride one from Central Star Ferry Pier 6 to Mui Wo. The trip from Central to Mui Wo will take around 40 to 50 minutes and cost HKD 17-47 for adults depending on the type of vessel you take. You can check the latest fare on Sun Ferry’s website.
Once you arrive at Mui Wo Ferry Pier, take New Lantao Bus No. 2 to Ngong Ping Village for another 45 to 55 minutes. The fare is around HKD 19 on weekdays and HKD 31 during holidays. Check the official fare and route of the bus here.