[Updated 27 May 2020]
Mention Hong Kong and the first thing that comes to mind is the stunning skyline and the bustling city life. But did you know that Hong Kong also houses plenty of nature spots to explore? Thanks to its mountainous landscape, a trip to Hong Kong won’t be complete without witnessing its stunning natural beauty. And a perfect place to do so is at the iconic Ngong Ping! Located on Lantau Island, it's home to the Ngong Ping 360 attraction, including the famous cable car. If you plan on visiting Hong Kong in the future, here’s why we think you should add Ngong Ping to your itinerary!
P.S. While Ngong Ping 360 had temporarily closed following the COVID-19 situation, they have now resumed operations for the cable car as well as Ngong Ping Village as of 27 May 2020. Select attractions at Ngong Ping Village, such as Motion 360 and VR360 remain closed. Find more information about Ngong Ping 360, including the latest status updates, ticket prices and more here.
1. You can experience Asia’s longest bi-cable car ride in a crystal cabin
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
The best way to get to Ngong Ping is by an immersive cable car ride! Dubbed as Asia’s longest bi-cable aerial ride, the 25-minute journey offers panoramic views of the South China Sea and Lantau Island including the mountainous terrain and hiking trails.
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
If that’s not enough, spice up your journey to the village by taking the Crystal Cabin cable car and feast your eyes on the boundless sea and the rolling grassland slopes right underneath your feet. It’s truly a remarkable experience!
#HHWT Tip: Guests have the option of buying a 1+1 Round Trip ticket, where you get to go up to Ngong Ping on a Crystal Cabin and return to Tung Chung on the Standard Cabin! It’s also cheaper than buying the tickets separately too ?
2. There’s halal food available!
Don’t worry about the availability of halal restaurants because there’s Ebeneezer’s Kebabs & Pizzeria just by the cable car station. This eatery has outlets all over Hong Kong and although the dishes are a little pricey compared to local street food, you can never go wrong with kebabs and pizzas ?
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
Finish your meal with a glass of refreshing soda and some chips. You’d need to fuel up especially when there’s a lot of walking ;) If you’re coming with a bigger group, we recommend sharing the tandoori pizza!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Address: Shop No. 9A, Ngong Ping Village, Ngong Ping, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sat & Sun, 9:00am – 6:30pm.
3. Home to the second-largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha statue in the world
As Ngong Ping is themed around the rich culture of Hong Kong, there are plenty of sights that celebrate the beauty of it - like the iconic Big Buddha. Standing at 112 feet, the statue is one of the largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha statues in the world! Nestled on the hills of Lantau Island, do put on your walking shoes as you’ll have to climb 268 steps up to the Big Buddha! Not to worry, you may take some time (and lots of rest stops), but it’s definitely doable!
That’s not all - walk a little further and you’ll come across Po Lin Monastery, one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist sanctums and home to many devout monks. This famous monastery is famed for its colourful manifestations of Buddhist iconography and its beautiful garden is alive with flowery scents. There’s also a vegetarian restaurant inside!
4. One of the best places to buy traditional Hong Kong souvenirs
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
If you’re looking for the best souvenirs from Hong Kong, you’ll find it at Ngong Ping too! The village is complete with souvenir shops ranging from trendy merchandise and exquisite art pieces made by the locals themselves. For a taste of the past, head over to HKLOVE - a souvenir shop that’s tailored for those who have a soft spot for nostalgic souvenirs like the iconic white red-white-blue bag that’s representative of the local culture. Or if you love Master Q (who doesn’t?), HKLove has that too! ?
P.S. If you're excited to start planning your future visit to Ngong Ping 360, find more information and purchase your tickets here.
5. Witness the lives of fishermen at Tai O Village
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
On the west coast of Lantau Island, just 15 minutes bus ride from Ngong Ping, lies a quaint and picturesque fishing village that is Tai O. What’s special about this village is that it still retains the traditional way of life. Explore the narrow streets while you gaze upon the historic stilted houses. It’s no surprise that this is often called the ‘Venice of the Orient’!
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
Don’t forget to visit the fish markets where you’ll find a wide range of dried seafood and traditional Hong Kong snacks available at each stall. However, as the stalls at Tai O are not halal-certified, we recommend checking with the vendors if non-halal ingredients (alcohol, gelatine, etc) are used!
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
Given its nature as one of the few remaining fishing villages in Hong Kong and a rare example of a traditional Chinese community, Tai O doesn’t shy away from being an Instagrammable spot. Find the iconic carved folding gates which are rapidly disappearing in Hong Kong nowadays, and Tai O Village happens to be one of the places where you can still find them.
6. Exciting virtual reality and multimedia adventures at VR 360 & Motion 360
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
Once you’re done taking in the sights and sounds around Tai O, return to Ngong Ping Village and head over to VR360 where you’ll experience a whole new world! This unique virtual reality attraction incorporates Hong Kong settings and landscapes and you'll have a fun time playing the six different virtual reality games available! We particularly liked the Time Shuttle game where we got to shoot at targets ? There was also a game that mimicked walking on a tightrope in the air, which definitely felt quite scary!
Right nearby, you’ll find Motion 360, a movie theatre experience that includes movement, wind, and water for a fully immersive experience! We really enjoyed the movie we watched which was called Discover Lantau. It simulated a ride all across Lantau Island - not only was it a fun experience, but a great way to learn more about the island too!
#HHWT Tip: VR 360 and Motion 360 are paid attractions, costing HKD168 and HKD88 respectively.
7. Catch amazing temporary exhibitions and displays that are on
Ngong Ping Village constantly hosts different events and special exhibitions, so do be sure to check out what’s on while you visit! When we were last there, there there were super cute We Bare Bears-related displays in celebration of Chinese New Year. During winter you'll find snow-related activities, an ice rink, and more.
8. Enjoy massive discounts up to 70% at Citygate Outlets
Your Ngong Ping adventure is not over yet. Head back to Tung Chung and make your way to Citygate Outlets for a final shopping spree! Shopping for branded goods doesn’t have to be expensive when you’re there.
Credit: Ngong Ping 360
Most of the things here are permanently on 30%-70% discount, so that means you can get the best offers on over 90 international brands including Kate Spade, Armani, Adidas, and Nike! Stock up on designer fashion, sports equipment, shoes, beauty products and even children’s clothes and toys here.
So there you have it - if you thought you’d give Ngong Ping a miss, we hope we’ve changed your mind ? From must-visit attractions to the best entertainment and souvenirs, there’s no better time like the present to plan that Hong Kong getaway you’ve been wanting to take!
P.S. If you're excited for a visit, find more information about Ngong Ping and purchase your tickets here. If you're looking for more inspiration for travelling to Hong Kong in the future, check out these articles:
This article is brought to you by Ngong Ping.