[Nortrav goes International] Hong Kong - Day 3: Ngong Ping

Now, if you think of riding Cable Car, the first thing you will remember is Hong Kong. Or if you think of Hong Kong, riding Cable Car is a must try.

Welcome to Day 3 in Hong Kong. Today, we're going to Ngong Ping.

Ngong Ping is also part of Lantau Island, where the Airport is also located. To get there, you must ride the MTR to Tung Chung, the end of the Orange Line. Once you arrived in Tung Chung, you have two options. Take Bus 23 to Ngong Ping, or ride a Cable Car. But I suggest, since you are in Hong Kong, ride the Cable Car.

Ngong Ping 360
It's time to fly - I mean, ride a Cable Car to Ngong Ping and see the amazing view of Lantau Island. It's much faster than the bus.

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

You have two options, Ride a Standard Cabin, which it has a normal steel flooring. Or a Crystal Cabin  (If you don't have fear of heights), which it has a glass flooring. You may buy tickets online, or at the ticketing office at Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal or at the Ngong Ping Car terminal.

Now you bought your ticket, it's time to ride on your Cabin you've chosen. We've choose the Standard Cabin by the way.

And, Take off. Now, get your cameras as you won't miss some of the amazing views of Lantau Island while you're on board.

First view, the Airport.

Airport Midfield Concourse

Airport Terminal 1

 On the left (relative to the Cable Car's Direction) the Tung Chung area.

Tung Chung

 You are now traversing this mountainous area.

But if you look to the right (relative to the Cable Car's direction), you will see the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau bridge.

Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau Bridge

After several time staying at the Cable Car, we can clearly seen the Giant Buddha, signifies that you are minutes away to Ngong Ping.

Big Buddha

Po Lin Monastery

After 25 minutes, we have arrived in Ngong Ping. As soon as you leave the Cable Car and have your first step to Ngong Ping, you will see this drums. there are 8 drums, 4 on each side.

One friendly reminder, Do not tap those drums.

There's also shops here. You can buy souvenirs here.

Tian Tan Buddha
Prepare your legs, as we will climb a very long stairs up to the Tian Tan Buddha, also known as Big Buddha. But first, let's do some warm up. This is the arch that I've show you earlier. This will lead you to the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. Oh yeah, there's a dog sleeping along the way.

Ngong Ping Arch to Big Buddha

There's the dog.

And did I mention that they have cows roaming around the place. Here's the cow.

Don't worry, they're harmless. (Unless if you're wearing Red Shirt)

Suppose that you didn't attacked by a cow, it's time to climb those stairs up to the Giant Buddha.

If you have heart problems or any knee problems, stay down. If you have enough strength to take the loooong stair climb, climb now. I suggest you take rest during the ascent. Before you take the stairs, you have options to have a meal at their Vegetarian Restaurant or not. If not, start climbing.

Now that you've reach the top, it is advisable to take your camera and start taking pictures. You will clearly see the entire Ngong Ping village.

Here's the view of the Po Lin Monastery if you are at the top.

Po Lin Monastery

The nice view of the ocean.

Aaand, a dog along the staircase.

Let's talk about the Giant Buddha or Tian Tan Buddha., one of the main attractions here in Ngong Ping. Sitting 34 meters high and the statue faces North towards Mainland China. For more information regarding the statue, visit www.discoverhongkong.com.

Tian Tan Buddha

Now, let's go down and ride a return trip to Tung Chung via Cable Car. To go back to the Cable Car, you will pass through the Ngong Ping Arch, to the shops and then to the Cable Car Terminal.

Return Trip to Tung Chung

Side Trip

It's already afternoon when we arrived at Tung Chung after a thrilling Cable Car ride. There's a lot of time to roam around. 

Welcome to Mong Kok, another urban area in Kowloon. From Tung Chung, ride the MTR Orange Line and alight at Lai King. Then transfer to Red Line and alight at Mong Kok.

Mong Kok

Now, you're here in Mong Kok, it's time to visit the Lady's Market located in Tung Choi Street. If you're a Filipino (like I am) and likes to go to  Divisoria or Quiapo in Manila more often, then this place is for you.

In Lady's Market, you will buy everything here. T Shirts, Key Chains, Magnets, Notebooks, Accessories, Headphones, Speakers, almost everything, including anime posters and figures (good news to my fellow anime lovers).

Don't worry boys, there's also items for men.

Lady's Market

After shopping, it's time to have another side trip to Ocean Park. Unfortunately, I don't have a single picture at that place. We went home and marks the end of Day 3.

Stay Tuned for Day 4 and Day 5.