Ngong Ping Village is a nice little theme park that was built to capitalize on the rising number of tourists drawn to Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. Situated in the highlands of Lantau Island, Ngong Ping Village is accessible via cable car ride from the Ngong Ping 360 basecamp in Tung Chung.
Where Your Journey Begins
Between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, the cable car system runs across the southern area of Hong Kong International Airport island and Nei Lak Shan. On the way, you’ll witness the stunning panorama of Lantau’s mountainous terrain, rolling greens, an expanse of sky with feathery clouds, the Tung Chung town centre, and the vast South China Sea.
Upon arrival at the Ngong Ping terminal, tourists are directed to the entrance. Ngong Ping Village has a good selection of restaurants, as well as international food franchises, such as Subway or Starbucks. There are a number of shops in the village that sell paintings and trinkets, a tea house, as well as a number of multimedia attractions like Monkey’s Tale theatre. A youth hostel is also present in the vicinity for those who would like to stay and explore the natural wonders nearby.
Ngong Ping Piazza
To be honest, I didn’t have an idea of where we’re at when we arrived at the Ngong Ping Piazza. All I knew was that people were heading in the direction where the Piazza was, and so we followed them. A little exhausted from all the walking, my mother paused at one of the benches at the Piazza as I took pictures of the view and statues.
According to the information posted on the Discovery Hong Kong website, I have gotten only as far up to the beginning of the Bodhi Path. The archway at the entrance is called the New Pai Lau, which was built in the tradition of Qing Dynasty architecture. Meanwhile, the Bodhi Path is marked by the statues of the Twelve Divine Generals, which represent the guards or protectors of the Buddhist religion. Forty lotus-shaped lanterns also line both sides of the path.
Although I wasn’t able to explore every corner of the Piazza, I was happy with the areas that I had been to as I really didn’t have high expectations of my travels. I’m always grateful of seeing and discovering things, and consider everything good I encounter during my travels as a privilege. I hope I would get to explore the entire tourist site the next time I go to Hong Kong (and hopefully, there would be a next time).
How to Go to Ngong Ping 360
The easiest way to go is via the MTR Tung Chung cable car station. The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car terminal is literally at Tung Chung. Just take a ride from the Hong Kong Station MTR Station Downtown through the Tung Chung Line. From the Tung Chung Station, just go to Exit B and take a walk to the Ngong Ping Tung Chung terminal from there. The cable car ride takes about 25 minutes and leaves on the dot.
You can also go to Tung Chung terminal by bus. You can take buses from Kowloon to the Shun Tung road bus station and walk for around 10-15 minutes to the Tung Chung cable car terminal. See this visitors’ information guide for more detailed travel instructions.
Since the opening hour of the Ngong Ping Village is at 10:00 AM, we made sure to be traveling by 9:00 AM from our apartment along Nathan Road.
Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal: Lining Up and Ticket Price
Expect long queues at Ngong Ping 360, even if you’ve purchased your ticket in advance (we got our round trip tickets online via Asia Travel, which is now defunct, I believe). I barely remember how long we stood in line, but a safe bet is to allot some 30 minutes. Yes, if you’re wondering at all, the line is really that long. If you’re traveling alone or with another person, you may be sharing the cabin with strangers (which isn’t an issue for us).
For the price, Ngong Ping 360 is definitely worth it. I don’t remember paying anything more than $25 back during our Hong Kong trip. The Ngong Ping 360 ticket price varies depending on where you’re getting it. From my recent internet research, the average price of the trip varies between P800.00 and P1,100.00.
The Ngong Ping 360 crystal cabin is more expensive than the regular one. But even if I could possible afford it, I wouldn’t want to risk motion sickness or anxiety. I want to enjoy the ride, in short. I’m pretty sure I would be terrified the entire ride if the bottom of the cabin is see-through.
Can you do Ngong Ping and Disneyland in one day?
Ngong Ping 360 and Disneyland in one day is doable, but not recommended if you want to make most of all that tourist dough. One day isn’t going to give you enough room to really enjoy everything Ngong Ping 360 and Hong Kong Disneyland has to offer. You should allot at least a day each for both destinations.
As for my overall thoughts, I think the Ngong Ping cable car experience is the highlight of my trip in Hong Kong with my mom. The fantastic view inside the cable car offered me a breathtaking panorama of the South China Sea and Hong Kong that is different from what I’ve seen, read or heard. I don’t mind spending another time there if I ever visit Hong Kong again. It’s surely an unforgettable experience.
Other Things to Do in Lantau Island
If you want to go on a Lantau adventure, there are many tourist attractions that you can pay a visit in the island. Below are some of the key stopovers that you might want to check out:
Lantau North Country Park
North Lantau Country Park is a rural park on Lantau Island, with several hiking trails. It occupies a total area of 22 kilometers and includes Tai Tung Shan (Sunset Peak), Yi Tung Shan, the northern part of Lantau Peak, Nei Lak Shan, and Lin Fa Shan.
Nei Lak Shan
Nei Lak Shan means “Buddha Mountain.” It is one of the highest mountains in Hong Kong, measuring as high as 2,464 feet. It lies north of Ngong Ping and is home to an angle station for the Ngong Ping 360 cable cars.
Mui Wo
Mui Wo is a quaint rural town situated in the eastern coast of Lantau Island. Popular attractions close by are the Silver Mine Bay Beach, Silver Mine Waterfall, and Man Mo temple. You can visit Mui Wo by boarding a ferry at the Central Hong Kong ferry pier. Ordinary and fast ferry services are available for this route.
Tat Tung Road
Tat Tung Road Garden is a garden right across the Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung cable car station. It houses several barrier-free facilities such as cobble walking trails, pavilions and picture-perfect gardens.
Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O is a fishing town located on the western part of Lantau Island. It is known as the “Venice of Hong Kong, and is famous for its centuries-old temples, shophouses, and other activities such as Chinese white dolphin-watching.
Is the Ngong Ping Plateau in Lantau Island?
No. The Ngong Ping Plateau is a viewing point between the new territories of Mai On Shan and the Sai Kung District. It is not to be mistaken with the Ngong Ping village or area in Lantau Island.
