Having been raised in America, I have a thing for seeing anything that’s being touted as “world’s biggest [insert object here].” So when I was in Hong Kong, I just had to go see the Tian Tan Buddha, aka the Po Lin Buddha (it is part of the Po Lin monastery), aka…The Big Buddha! It’s the world’s biggest outdoor bronze seated Buddha. That’s a bit specific, but not more so than the world’s biggest ball of twine, for example.
Tian Tan Buddha from below
The Big Buddha is located on the island of Lantau, and it is so big that on a clear day, you can see it from the island of Macau!
You have to climb more than 200 steps to reach it, but the climb is definitely worth it, as the Buddha is seated 2,330 feet (710 meters) above sea level, and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding green landscape. The day of my visit was very foggy, which made the monastery seem even more secluded and mysterious.
Island surroundings
Once you are at the top, you can also visit the Po Lin monastery and observe Buddhist monks and laypeople alike praying, lighting incense, and leaving offerings. It was my first experience seeing a Buddhist temple and observing the way they worship, so it was very interesting to just sit quietly and watch people. I loved the sounds, smells, and colors, and although it is one of Hong Kong’s major tourist attractions, somehow, the isolation of the place makes it seem very peaceful, spiritual, and authentic, as opposed to any other temple you would find in the busy city center of Hong Kong.
Po Lin Monastery monks
Lantau Island is larger than Hong Kong Island but has a fraction of the population. Nevertheless, it is connected to the island where the airport is located, so it is easily accessible via ferry or metro, and then by bus from the harbor. The ferry takes about an hour and offers nice views of Hong Kong, provided it is a clear day. See the link below for more information, schedule, and fares.
The metro is a bit faster than the ferry but doesn’t offer so much in terms of sight-seeing. On the Chung Tung line, get off at Chung Tung station and take bus 23 to Ngong Ping. Apparently, there is also a new option for reaching the Big Buddha from Ngong Ping – a cable car called the Ngong Ping 360 (NP360), which I imagine offers beautiful overhead views that you just can’t get from the bus. I definitely would have taken it if it had been around during my visit. The most basic round trip costs $96 HK (around $13 or €9). For details about the cable cars and online booking, check the link below.
Tian Tan Buddha
Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Related links:
Lantau Island | HongKong TravelGuide
New World First Ferry Services Limited
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