Ngong Ping Village and Tian Tan Buddha

Ngong Ping village is actually an artificial village at a highland in the western part of Lantau Island, Hong Kong. This amazing cultural themed village was architecturally designed and landscaped to reflect the cultural and spiritual integrity of the Ngong Ping area. Set over a 1.5 hectare site, the village is basically a retail park dressed up as a tourist attraction including Walking with the Buddha, the Monkey's Tale Theatre and Ngong Ping Tea House. A youth hostel is located near the monastery.

The Tian Tan Buddha Ngong Ping Village Hongkong

It hosts Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha amidst the hills. It is one of the largest statues of its kind in the world with the 34 meter tall and 250-ton bronze structure. It can be seen from miles around and serves as much as a point of pilgrimage for monks and spiritual seekers. Belief it or not, The Buddha faces to the Beijing from his site.

Tourists at Ngong Ping Village Hongkong

The themed attractions in Ngong Ping Village:
Walking with Buddha is a small multimedia presentation on the life of Buddha. It is all about the life of Siddhartha Gautama – the man who became Buddha – and how he found the path of enlightenment. It’s worth a stroll through the presentation although it’s a bit straight laced.

The Buddha at Po Lin Monastery 

Monkey Tale Theatre - One for the kids, is actually a short film put together by the popular Monkey Tale Theatre group. Kids watch on an outside cinema screen a tale of three monkeys clowning around.

Linong tea House is probably the most impressive tourist attractions on offer. Built in the style of an authentic Chinese tea house, both inside and out, the intricate carving and curved roof invites a photo or two. The tea house is run by a well-respected local firm in business since the eighties and there are free tea demonstrations throughout the day.

Tea time at Ngong Ping Village

Tips:
You do not have to walk far to find a parade shops – the place is packed with them. Most of the shops are offered souvenirs to tourists. You’ll find ceramics, chopsticks and of course souvenirs. The prices of most of the souvenirs are more higher than at the Ladies Market in Mongkok for a fraction of the price.

praying at Ngong Ping Village

Since Ngong Ping village receives tourists from all parts of the world, there is no dress code at all, T-shirts and shorts are totally acceptable. There aren’t any fees to enter the village and big sitting buddha.

The Ngong Ping Village Hongkong

The Ngong Ping 360 is a 5.7km cable car ride that starts from Tung Chung, and then crosses Tung Chung Bay into Tung Chung Village in North Lantau. The ride offers panoramic views of the verdant, mountainous terrain of Lantau Island, Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Hong Kong International Airport, and the 360-degree view of the Ngong Ping Plateau

 the Ngong Ping 360 cable car

The best way to get to the Buddha is via ferry from Hong Kong's Central district and then by bus or taxi to Ngong Ping/Big Buddha.

Take the train to the Hong Kong MTR train Station, then switch to the Tung Chung MTR Line and ride the train all the way to Tung Chung Station. The whole trips take around 25 minute.

There are also buses that go to North Lantau. They are cheaper than the Nong Ping 360 cable car but take much longer around 45 minutes to an hour. You can take a one way ride cable car ride to Ngong Ping Village and then take the bus back to Tung Chung Center. The bus ride affords a great view of the coastal areas and winding mountain roads of Lantau Island. If you have a limited time, take a round trip ticket instead.

Enjoy and Happy travel!