Hong Kong Guide: A Day Trip to Lantau Island (a pair & a spare)

Thank you for all your kind feedback on the last of my Hong Kong Guides, the one where we visited peaceful Lamma Island.

I love that you were all surprised that Hong Kong, the land of glittering high rises, could have such amazing green spaces. The fact is, if you’re willing to get out of town and take a short boat ride, there’s so much to explore in this magical city. To prove my point, today I’m going to share with you another of my favourite green day trips – this time to Lantau Island!

Lantau Island is Hong Kong’s largest outlying island, and a melting pot of local culture. If you’re visiting Hong Kong, chances are you’ve already dropped by – the airport is located on the northern side! But don’t let your visit to Hong Kong’s high tech airport fool you – Lantau Island is anything but, and in many ways it’s like stepping back in time with Buddhist Temples, traditional fishing villages and stunning beaches. Taking a day trip there is definitely worth it!

Travelling to Hong Kong? Make sure you check out my recent Hong Kong Guides: Old Town Central, Sai Ying Pun & Kennedy Town & Lamma Island. But wait there’s more! Culture & Life, Nightlife, Best Markets , and Shopping.

9am – Start your day by first travelling by MTR or taxi to Tung Chung, which is the main built up area on the edge of the island.

10am – From there, jump on the amazing Ngong Ping cable car, which takes you from Tung Chung up to the Big Buddha. If you dare, select the cable car with the glass bottom, truly a breathtaking experience!

11am – Take some time to explore The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. If you’re feeling peckish there’s an option to eat yummy vegetarian chinese food in the monastery.

12pm – Feeling like a bit more of a walk? About 10 minutes up the road (follow the signs) is the serene Wisdom Path, with a stunning view of Lantau Peak.

1pm – Next up, take the bus or grab a blue taxi down to the quaint Hong Kong fishing village of Tai O. It’s truly like stepping back in town. If you haven’t eaten yet, it’s definitely worth stopping in to Tai O Heritage Hotel for lunch in their atmospheric dining room, and they also do a great afternoon tea set!

2pm – Now it’s time to explore the village. Do away with maps and allow yourself to get lost amongst the twisting alleyways of the village, finding yourself on wooden bridges of the traditional Tai O stilt houses and shrimp paste farms.

3pm – Feeling parched? Drop into Triple Lanterns for a beverage and watch the boats navigate the waterways of the village. Make sure to grab a perch on their rooftop!

4pm – If you’re visiting in summer, you might be in need of a dip. So once you’ve explored Tai O, jump on a bus or hail a taxi and head over to Cheung Sha beach, a gorgeous strip of white sand along the southern edge of the island. You might even spot a white dolphin if you’re really lucky!

5pm – If you happen to be around on the weekend, drop into Mavericks the bar at Pui O beach for a sundowner, before heading over to Mui Wo ferry station and heading back into town. What a day!