Your guide to Lantau Island

Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong and was also voted the best island in this years Hong Kong Living Awards. It is often referred to as ‘the lungs of Hong Kong’ for its abundant green space and scarcity of high-rise residential developments. In recent years, the Island has been given a facelift with major infrastructures and tourist attractions such as Lantau Link, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ngong Ping 360.

What to do

Visit the Big Buddha

Lantau is synonymous with the 34-metre Tian Tan Buddha, known simply as the Big Buddha. Located near Po Lin Monastery, it symbolises the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Pair your visit to the Big Buddha with a ride on the Ngong Ping 360, a cable car that brings you from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping Village whilst presenting stunning views of Lantau’s landscape along the way.

Take a historical journey

10 minutes from the foot of the Big Buddha is the Wisdom Path, which showcases 38 wooden steles containing verses from the Heart Sutra. When you’re done studying the well-known prayers revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists, head over to the Tung Chung Fort. This attraction, which dates back to 1832, is now a relic from the past with six old muzzle-loading cannons and Chinese archways.

Explore the trails

The famous Lantau Trail is 70 kilometres long and divided into 12 sections of varying difficulty levels. A popular destination for hikers and trail runners, it encompasses Sunset Peak, the third-highest peak in Hong Kong at 869 metres with stunning views of the island. In fact, the trail is so popular that it makes up much of the course for the annual TransLantau ultra-marathon.

Hit the beach

Two top contenders for the best sandy shores on Lantau Island are Cheung Sha Beach and Pui O Beach. Cheung Sha stretches across three kilometres, one of the longest beaches in Hong Kong, whilst Pui O is secluded and less trodden. If you’re up for it, you can also make a go at some water sports like kayaking, windsurfing and kiteboarding here. 

Experience a fishing village

For a day of history and heritage, make a day trip to Tai O Fishing Village, which has roots tracing back to the Ming dynasty. The village was originally home to the Tanka people, a community of fishermen who built their homes on stilts above the water. You can explore the area by boat, navigating the channels between houses, or by foot atop the stilts. Don’t leave without sampling shrimp paste and dried seafood.

Take a break in Discovery Bay

Speaking of Lantau, we can’t forget Discovery Bay, or DB for short. A landing spot for expats with its low plot ratio, the DB lifestyle is all about sailing, golfing and the outdoors. Hit the beach, go shopping at the weekend handicraft markets or enjoy a meal out at the alfresco D-Deck with gorgeous sea views.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Lantau Island from Central is via ferry. Hop on the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, located at eastern Lantau. The ordinary ferry takes 60 minutes whilst the fast ferry takes 40 minutes.