[PLACE] 20141217 Big Buddha 天坛大佛 @ Lantau Island, HK

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Tian Tan Buddha, or also known as Big Buddha is a popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong located at Ngong Ping village, Lantau Island. Completed in 1993, the 34m (112ft) bronze statue of Buddha weighs more than 250 metric tonnes, and sits atop the peak of Mount Yuk Yue.

Soon after it is completed, the Big Buddha has overwhelmed Po Lin Monastery's popularity and became the main attraction for the area. Besides Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, visitors can also visit the Ngong Ping Village (which has been developed into a tourist spot) and the Wisdom Path. If you have extra time to spare, you can also opt for a bus tour around Lantau Island to visit fishing villages like Tai O to experience a different style of Hong Kong.

There are three floors beneath the Buddha statue which is also opened to Public but attracts an entrance fee. These floors, known as the Hall of Universe, the Hall of Benevolent Merit and the Hall of Remembrance are museums that exhibit various Buddhism relics. If you want to know more about the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, please do visit the link below. It has a very comprehensive history of the Big Buddha, including the design, construction and assembly of the bronze statue during the 1980's.

Source: Wikipedia, Po Lin Monastery website

The Big Buddha is located nearby the Hong Kong International Airport. Hence it is recommended to pay a visit to Big Buddha after your arrival or before your departure. There are luggage cabins available for rent at the airport or at Tung Chun MRT at different rates. Best time to travel will be during weekdays where there are less locals and during cooler season like winter (Nov - Jan).

The Big Buddha opens 24/7 from 10am to 5:30pm daily while the Po Lin Monastery opens from 8am to 6pm daily.

TO GO



I visited Big Buddha right after my arrival at HKIA. I took the E22 bus to get to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal. The bus comes every 15 minutes and the journey will take about 25 minutes to arrive at the Tung Chung Terminal. Alternatively, you can take the MRT, Tung Chung Line and drop off at Tung Chung Station.




Once you arrived at the terminal, there are two main methods to travel to Big Buddha. First being the cable car, known as Ngong Ping 360 and the second being public bus, particularly, Bus 23. Both located at the same area, beside Citygate Outlets, a shopping complex with good bargains.

Ngong Ping 360 (Cable Car)



The cable car is the favourite method as it offers you a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and seascape. However, the ride doesn't come cheap with adult ticket price at HKD165 (RM75) per pax for standard cabin. If you have a little cash to spare, then you can opt for the Crystal Cabin which has a transparent cabin floor to allow you to have a bird's eye view of the landscape underneath. Adult ticket cost HKD255 (RM116) per pax for the additional see through privilege. Travelling time is 25 minutes per ride.

Lines can be long during peak periods. It is advisable to book your tickets online prior to your journey. Unfortunately, there is no discount for early bird tickets. The cable car operates from 10am to 6pm during weekdays and 9am to 6:30pm during weekends. Do take note on the scheduled maintenance period for the cable car to avoid disappointment. 


Public Bus (Lantau Bus 23)

I took the public bus option as it is a more economic way to travel. Once you drop off from the Tung Chung Terminal, walk out to the open air terminal where you will see white colour mini buses, operated by Lantau Island Bus Operators. Look for Bus 23 (not to be mistaken with E23). Weekday adult fare only at HKD17.20 (RM8) as compared to the cable car's exorbitant price. Weekend adult fare will be close to HKD30 (RM14) if not mistaken. The bus does accept Octopus card and make sure you have one because the driver will not entertain for changes, not a friendly driver anyway.


I personally prefer the bus ride as it will pass by villages along the mountain roads, giving you a more down to earth and close to reality experience as compared to the more commercialized and touristy cable car. However, the bumpy ride will not be comfortable as it travels through hilly roads. Along the road you will have the scenic view of the mountains, sea cliff and also a Reservoir (Shek Pik Reservoir). Total travelling time is 45 minutes. Recommended for budget or adventurous travellers, not recommended if you have car sickness. A short video of the bus ride will be posted.


ATTRACTION



Upon the arrival, you will be welcomed by the Buddha statue and the main entrance stone arch. If you are travelling by the cable car, you will end up at the other end of the Ngong Ping village.



The map above offers a better perspective of the surrounding where you will see the cable car terminal and all the shops and stores along the way to the entrance of Big Buddha.

Map source: http://www.np360.com.hk/


There are many restaurants, cafe and entertainment stores at the "village", which is now transformed into a tourist spot. Do expect tourist prices for the services and merchandise sold here. If you have extra time to spare, then do pay a visit to the "Walking with Buddha" which will showcase the enlightenment path of Siddhartha Gautama.

  
I was running out of time as I arrived late at 4pm in the evening, hence I skipped all the entertainment at the village and straight to the Big Buddha.


The entrance will lead to a square in the centre where the ceremony for any Buddhist celebration will usually be held at. Along the way there's stone statues of deities at both sides of the walkway towards the square. The Big Buddha is located at the 3 o'clock of the stairs while Po Lin Monastery is at the 12 o'clock location. 


*Stamina alert!* You will need to climb a total of 268 stone steps before reaching the Big Buddha. However, I don't seem to be able to find what the 268 symbolizes as I understand every detail of the construction of the Big Buddha have been well designed.

Along the stairs you might bump into sincere devotees that are performing 5 steps a kneel and 10 steps a pray (五步一跪十步一拜) action. 


Before you reach the top, take a break and have a good view of the Big Buddha before continue the remaining climb.


Once you reach the lower platform, you will notice 6 deities offering different items to the Buddha, 3 at each sides. They are known as the "The Offering of the Six Devas" and are posed offering flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit, and music to the Buddha. These offerings symbolise charity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom, all of which are necessary to enter into nirvana.

Source: Wikipedia

There are three platforms in total, with the highest right at the foot of the Buddha statue. Here, you will notice some devotees circulating the statue 3 rounds with the palm closed (praying gesture).


You will be able to have a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the sea bay behind.

Sun is setting and I'm running out of time to visit Po Lin Monastery and the Wisdom Path. This post shall be continued when I have the chance to visit Hong Kong again.

SUMMARY




Tian Tan Buddha is a must come if you a Buddhist or if you do not mind a spiritual trip. Do allow half a day for this trip as there's much more to offer than just the Buddha statue alone.


Attraction
☆☆☆☆
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆☆
Entrance Fee
Free (payable if enter museum)
Transportation fee 
Opening Hours
10:00am until 5:30pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A 
Parking
Ample 
Website
Po Lin Monastery website 

Tung Chung Station GPS: 22.289994, 113.939675
Ngong Ping 360 GPS: 22.290207, 113.938570
Big Buddha GPS: 22.254163, 113.905146

farscope

Malaysian lad, engineer by background, banker by profession whom passionate in photography, food and travelling.

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