The Big Buddha and Lantau

The Tian Tan Buddha, or Big Buddha, is one of Hong Kong's most striking sights, a majestic bronze statue of the seated Buddha, over thirty metres tall, gazing serenely out from a hilltop on the green, mountainous Lantau Island. Reached by a long flight of steps or the spectacular Ngong Ping cable car that soars over the hills and sea, it sits beside the tranquil Po Lin Monastery, offering a peaceful, spiritual and scenic contrast to the dense, frenetic city just a short ride away.

What you actually see

• The Big Buddha - the towering bronze seated Buddha and its 268 steps.
• The Ngong Ping cable car - the soaring ride over hills and sea.
• Po Lin Monastery - the tranquil temple and vegetarian hall.
• The Lantau scenery - the green hills, trails and villages.

When to go

October to December, for clear, cool weather and the best cable-car views; go early to beat the crowds and the chance of the peak clouding over. The cable car occasionally closes for maintenance or weather, so check ahead. The monastery serves a renowned vegetarian meal.

Honest expectations

The cable car and Buddha are popular, so expect queues and crowds, especially on weekends and holidays, and the summit can be shrouded in mist, hiding the views. The nearby Ngong Ping village is a touristy retail strip. The scale of the Buddha, the soaring cable-car ride and the monastery's calm, though, make it a rewarding and scenic day out from the city.

Nearby

The fishing village of Tai O and Lantau's beaches and trails are nearby.