Exploring Lantau Island: Cable Cars, a Monastery, and one Giant Buddha
Hong Kong's Hidden Gem: Lantau Island and its Spiritual Treasures
I am so excited to begin covering Hong Kong for you all this week! After my gargantuan journey across the Pacific Ocean (and with a lucky 6 hours of sleep thanks to China Airline’s Premium Economy seat), I landed around 10 am and thus had the whole day ahead of me. Not one to waste good vacation time, after an hour or so relaxing at my local guesthouse in one of the island’s beautiful green belts, I set out to ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable to its namesake village. Little did I know that on my quest to see the mystical Po Lin Monastery and the imposing Tian Tan Buddha, I would have to first face an infamous enemy: the Chinese New Year (CNY) crowds.
Now, when I initially planned my trip to Hong Kong I naively expected it to be a similar environment to Taipei during CNY: an empty ghost town due to the fleeing of inhabitants away from the city in favor of the countryside. Unfortunately, when I laid eyes on the sign that indicated I would have to wait 90 minutes to even get the pleasure of queuing for the cable car, I knew that my initial thoughts had been entirely delusional. However, after walking around the local mall for 90 minutes and then queuing for another hour, I was finally able to take the 24-minute journey up the hillside to Ngong Ping. I was booked in the more premium Crystal Cabin which featured a glass bottom, and even with all that waiting it was absolutely worth it! The views were stunning, and I particularly enjoyed watching the world get smaller beneath my feet. An unadvertised benefit was seeing the massive airport ferry in flights from around the globe from our bird’s eye position, so if you are an aviation enthusiast that is another reason to ride the cable car. I found the village at the top to be a relaxing venue even if it was a little touristy for my tastes. Ultimately, all of the local eateries and shops lined the path to the main attractions: Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha.
First up was the mysterious Po Lin Monastery, its silhouette shrouded in a smoky haze in the distance. As I approached the holy site originally founded in 1906 by three traveling monks, the haze intensified before revealing itself to be a veritable forest of burning incense. Tiny handheld burners sat alongside large, ornate bronze cauldrons, each billowing fragrant smoke. The Chinese New Year celebrations were in full swing. Red lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, and the rhythmic beat of drums echoed through the temple grounds. The air was thick with the sweet and slightly spicy scent of sandalwood incense, mingling with the earthy aroma of burning cedar. The combined effect of the sights, sounds, and smells profoundly enriched my experience.
The next challenge was the seemingly endless staircase leading up to the Tian Tan Buddha. Each step brought me closer to the massive bronze statue, yet also further winded me. Finally, panting slightly, I reached the top. The Buddha was magnificent, a serene figure radiating peace and tranquility. Further, the view from up there was breathtaking, a panorama of Lantau Island’s lush green hills and the sparkling blue sea below. Inside the statue is a famous Buddhist relic that you can stroll by. As I left, I saw a woman with a warm smile and a box of something waiting at the top of the stairs. She offered me a small, oddly shaped item that resembled a lotus flower. She seemed to indicate that it was food, but upon giving it the smell test I discovered that it had a slightly sweet and earthy scent yet also smelled… toxic? I eyed it cautiously, unsure what it was. Was it food? Was it an offering? It almost looked like playdough. I didn’t dare to even take a tiny nibble. Ultimately I smooshed it in its box, which left me still questioning what it was as I threw it out. The mystery of the “playdough lotus dumpling” only added to the unique and memorable experience of visiting the area.
Left with that peculiar mystery to ponder, I couldn’t help but feel like my first day in Hong Kong was a resounding success, and I highly recommend the Ngong Ping 360 cable car experience to anyone who visits. For my part, the day ended with a meal at McDonald’s in the same local mall where it began (I always enjoy sampling the local McDonald’s offerings when I travel). Next week you will follow me downtown to Hong Kong Island itself along with all of the wonderful activities and views that accompany it. The Hong Kong skyline shimmering across Victoria Harbor is one of the most iconic in the world, and I can’t wait to share its majesty with y’all. See you next week when I will also be reporting from onboard an old Chinese junk!
Alright the playdough lotus dumpling and the supposedly slight panting got me. It looks like you had an incredible time. Standing high over a city, looking out and observing a culture is always one of my favorite moments of a trip. It seems to put things in perspective somehow.