The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are perched upon the lush mountain tops of Lantau Island, one of Hong Kong's outer islands. Arriving to the world's largest outdoor seated Buddha is an adventure in itself.
A subway train + a cable car = you are not even there yet...you still have 268 steps to walk up.
As far as the cable car ride is concerned: word to the wise...it is never {I repeat} NEVER a good idea to contemplate the physics of a cable car while swaying in the wind high above the sea of South China. Why, at the steepest point of the twenty minute ride did my brain decide it needed to understand how the wheel rested on the wire? Even though we did not speak the same language as the five other tourists in the car, a 'freak out' is easily translated and understood.
A subway train + a cable car = you are not even there yet...you still have 268 steps to walk up.
As far as the cable car ride is concerned: word to the wise...it is never {I repeat} NEVER a good idea to contemplate the physics of a cable car while swaying in the wind high above the sea of South China. Why, at the steepest point of the twenty minute ride did my brain decide it needed to understand how the wheel rested on the wire? Even though we did not speak the same language as the five other tourists in the car, a 'freak out' is easily translated and understood.
The immensity of the Buddha is insane and it boggles my mind to understand how a 34 meter high bronze statue was erected {in a remote mountainous location} in a short twelve years.
The Buddha is enthroned upon a lotus flower; his right hand in a mudra, vowing to eliminate suffering within all sentient beings. His left hand rests upon his thigh with this hand open and fingers pointing slightly downwards; wishing compassion and happiness to all corners of the world.
Six smaller bronze statues called Devas surround the Buddha. The Devas pose near him; offering flowers, incense, fruit, music, a lamp, and ointment, symbolizing the Six Perfections. According to Buddhist traditions generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation and wisdom are all regarded as necessary for enlightenment {I've got lots of work to do}.
During the previous days in Hong Kong we had clocked some serious miles of sight seeing. Our knees and feet cursed us as we descended the stairs; however our hungry bellies convinced us to continue walking to the monastery, for a vegetarian lunch.
Useful Information
How to Get There:
MTR Tung Chung Station {Exit B}. From here you have two choices:
Things to Consider:
Costs & Other Helpful Information:
MTR Tung Chung Station {Exit B}. From here you have two choices:
- Ngong Ping Cable Car {20-25 minutes}.
- New Lantao Bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Center {45 minutes}
Things to Consider:
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- Bring lots of water.
- Wear or bring layers for clothing {weather changes quickly}.
- If on a long layover, you can definitely make it here for a visit. We even saw some backpackers with huge bags walking around; either fresh off the plane or about to depart {keep in mind the airport and Hong Kong Station have bag storage}.
Costs & Other Helpful Information:
- Ngong Ping Cable Car Website
- Hong Kong Post with general information; including transportation
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