Hong Kong - The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery – Lantau Island


The Big Buddha is also known as Tian Tan Buddha, is a large bronze statue of a Buddha located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong.

Tian Tan Buddha statue was completed in 1993 and is located 400M on the Ngong Ping Plateau on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

This large Buddha statue is located near Po Lin Monastery and symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people, and religion.


Opposite this large Buddha statue, the Po Lin Monastery is one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist monasteries.

Po Lin Monastery has been dubbed ‘the Buddhist World in the South’. 

After visiting 1 or all 21 of the attractions in the monastery, you can also enlighten your appetite at their popular vegetarian restaurant.

You can take Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car from Tung Chung MTR Station near Airport to this Big Buddha on Lantau Island.

More useful information below in this Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery Hong Kong Travel guide for visitors.

Tian Tan Buddha and
Po Lin Monastery Admission Hours

Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery Admission :

- Admission to Big Buddha Hong Kong and Po Lin Monastery complex is FREE. Fee for Museum.

- Voluntary Donations are accepted as per the wishes of visitors.

- However, visitors will have to pay for Transportation from Hong Kong to Ngong Ping Village on Lantau Island to visit Big Buddha and Monastery.

- Other than ferry and bus, Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car provides easy access from Tung Chung MTR Station near HK Airport to Ngong Ping Village.

  
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket on Lantau Island - $16.98
from: Viator


Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery Hours :

Tian Tan Buddha Hours :

- 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Daily)

Po Lin Monastery Hours:

- 8 AM- 6 PM (Daily)

Vegetarian Restaurant Hours ( Fee required)

- Monday to Friday (except public holidays)  11:30 AM to 4:30 PM

- Saturday, Sunday & public holidays  11:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Ngong Ping Cable Car Hours

-  10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon - Fri)

-  9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Weekends & Public Holidays)

If you choose the cable car 360 route, purchase online or with your hotel concierge which will save you time. 

Lines at Tung Chung Ticket Counters for tickets are very long.  Arrive early!

There is a separate line for people with advance purchase tickets to exchange vouchers for wrist bands to ride the cable car 360. 

This line gets long too!  After receiving wrist bands, there’s another line for the cable car ride.

The wait time is long even with pre-purchased tickets.

Buy Online: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket - Lantau Island

Getting to Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong

By MTR or Bus or Ferry to Tian Tan Buddha in Lantau Island :

1). MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take Ngong Ping Cable Car, which takes around 25 minutes.

     Then walk for around 10 minutes to the Monastery.

Or

2). MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take New Lantao Bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Centre, which takes around 45 minutes.

    Then walk for eight minutes.

Or

3). Catch a ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, then take New Lantao Bus 2 to Ngong Ping Village, which takes around 40 minutes.


Private Tour with Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off also available :

Coach Day Tour - Lantau Island Visiting and Giant Buddha Cable Car Tour Plus Tai O Boat Ride

  
Coach Day Tour - Lantau Island Visiting and Giant Buddha Cable Car Tour Plus Tai O Boat Ride - $139.38
from: Viator

Recommendation and Tips for visiting Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

Tips for visiting Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery:

- It is a good day trip and might take a whole day if you decide to explore other attractions in Ngong Ping (NP) Village.  

  Buy a combo ticket if you plan on taking the Cable Car and going to other NP village attractions like NP360.

- If you like to hike then try the trailhead next to the Big Buddha. You can climb to the summit. 

  This is a popular destination in the early morning. It will take about 3 hours round trip

- If you prefer a shorter and scenic walk try the Wisdom Path. The Wisdom Path is sort of a colonnade. 

  Wooden posts form a figure eight.  Each wood post is engraved with the Heart Sutra.  

  The Heart Sutra is a prayer chanted during meditation as a path to wisdom and enlightenment.  

  Follow the signs from the Monastery or the Big Buddha.

- Wear good shoes as you will be walking/standing a lot and bring an umbrella or hat to provide shade from the Sun.

- If taking Cable Car then arrive early in the morning before 10 AM to avoid long wait time at Tung Chung Cable Car Station.

  Also buy Cable Car ticket in advance or online to avoid long wait at Ticket counter which is separate than wait line for Cable Car ride.
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket on Lantau Island - $16.98

Soar over Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. Spend as long as you’d like exploring attractions at the top. Head to Ngong Ping Village, visit Po Lin Monastery and see Tian Tan Buddha, aka the Big Buddha. Select a 25-minute ride one-way or book a round-trip ticket with your choice of standard or glass-bottom crystal cabin, with spectacular views of North Lantau Country Park and the South China Sea.