Hong Kong is a great place for shopping, eating, and exploring the nightlife. But, there are some attractions that are on the outskirts of the city like the Tian Tan Buddha—known more commonly as the Big Buddha—that are totally worth the visit. The Big Buddha is an impressive bronze statue standing over 112 feet (34 meters) in height. The visit is great for a full day exploration of another side of the Hong Kong area.
Traveling to the Big Buddha
The Big Buddha is located in Lantau Island. You can travel there by taking the MTR to Tung Chung Station. Once you reach the Tung Chung Station, you have two options to reach the Big Buddha. You can either take the cable car called the ‘Ngong Ping 360’ or take the New Lantau Bus number 23 to Ngong Ping. The bus will cost about 17.20 HKD (2.22 USD), so is ideal for a budget traveler.
The other option is the cable car, which I highly recommend. There are really amazing sights you can see along the way like the beautiful mountainside and lush greenery of Hong Kong. It costs 125 HKD (16 USD) for a roundtrip on the cable car. Once at the top of the cable car, you will reach an area for shopping and viewing other cultural artifacts. You will be able to see many small statues, as well as the Big Buddha from the distance. This is a great spot to take photos.
The stairs to Big Buddha
To get to the top of Big Buddha, you will have to walk up 268 stairs to the platform, so make sure you have enough energy! It’s a long walk, but the view from the top is definitely worth it. You can document your journey by taking photos along the way. Once at the top, you will see the rolling hills of Lantau Island, and of course the amazing Big Buddha up close.
Explore the other parts of the area
As you walk around the platform of the Big Buddha, you will notice there are six smaller bronze figures. These statues are known as “The offerings of the six Devas” and are kneeling and offering Buddha different things like incense or fruits. The detail of each statute is truly beautiful.
End the day with a vegetarian meal
After you climb back down the 268 stairs, you will probably be a bit hungry. There is a great vegetarian restaurant located on the premises of the Big Buddha statue. The meal tickets range from 65-100 HKD (8.00-12.90 USD). The fried noodles and an egg roll promise to satisfy and help you rejuvenate the long walk.
When to visit the Big Buddha
The summertime (June-August) at the Big Buddha can be very hot and humid, so be mindful if going midday. The wait for the cable car can be quite lengthy depending on the day (weekends tend to be busier), so be prepared for waiting. The opening hours are from 10:00 am-18:00 pm.
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