HONG KONG DAY TRIP: THE TIAN TAN BUDDHA TO TAI O VILLAGE

Skyscrapers and people are the first images of Hong Kong that come into our minds.

You can imagine our surprise when we discovered the islands are very green.

People in Hong Kong are quick to blame China when it comes to air pollution.

Hong Kong is very upset when the wind blows the wrong way, and all the smog drifts from the mainland.

Hong Kong Day Trip: Tian Tan Buddha To Tai O Village

There’s nothing you can do about it except leave town! We did precisely that.

After taxiing to Lantau Island, we took a cable car up to Ngong Ping, a mountain village.

Cable Cars are a great way to enjoy the view of Tung Chung Bay. They soar through the air 5.7 km above rolling hills and green trees. The 25-minute ride offers a bird’s eye perspective of the surrounding area.

The Ngong Ping Crystal Cabin is available for an extra fee. The glass floor lets you experience the excitement and height.

If you want to avoid long queues, this car is for you. It puts you in front of them! If you book a cable car, you can enjoy a queue-free service.

It was worth the money to have our guide.

The picturesque village of Ngong Ping welcomed us when we reached the top.

It is called the spiritual home of the Tian Tan Buddha, but it feels like an amusement or theme park up here.

It is so common to see TV and movie entertainment zones that I asked my guide if Hong Kong movie studios are nearby. He told me that it was just an attraction.

The Tian Tan Buddha

You can have a great time with your family at many attractions. The multimedia presentation following Buddha’s enlightenment path is a good example.

The Tian Tan Buddha is the main attraction. This giant bronze Buddha statue is a fantastic sight to see. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.

While walking around the Po Lin Monastery, we were lucky to hear the Monks chanting in the yard.

Even though we didn’t understand what they said, it was fascinating to hear them. It was over in a flash, and the monks disappeared into the back of the monastery, leaving us to explore the place on our own.

Tai O Village

After seeing all the sights in Ngong Ping, we took a local bus to Tai O, a traditional fisherman’s village on the South China Sea.

The fishing industry is declining in Hong Kong as younger people move to the cities. I wonder for how long this village will continue to operate.

You can stroll the streets and take in the many stalls that sell dried fish. How many people buy dried fish from these vendors?

The villages’ stilt houses are the main attraction. The stilt houses are intertwined because they were built by the tides.

We learned to dry goose eggs and make congee from a local family. This porridge was created by manually grinding beans. It took a great deal of effort.

We were pleasantly surprised by how large their homes are. The houses are enormous in the back, and the mild weather all year long means plenty of space. This open concept is ideal for typhoons and winter storms, as the wind can easily blow through.

Pink Dolphins

Then it was onto the boat to search for the pink dolphin. Any time during the day, you can take a boat to the bay to look for these beautiful creatures. Once the ship is filled, you don’t need to schedule an appointment.

The trip begins with a boat ride through the canal to see the stilt homes before heading out into the open water. We were told they hadn’t seen dolphins in a few days, so we were surprised to find out. But within minutes of leaving the channel, we saw them.

Getting a good shot of them was almost impossible because they moved so fast. Did we see them? But we did! Honestly.

We were impressed that the boat did not chase the dolphins. They kept their distance and stayed far away.

I expected the captain to make a beeline for them as soon as they were spotted. Instead, he moved in closer but kept a safe distance to avoid disturbing them. It didn’t make the best photos, but seeing them enjoying their lives without any disturbance was nice.

A Great Duo Day

You can visit Ngong Ping and Tai O on the same date. The two are close to each other. After taking the cable car to Ngong Ping, you only need to walk a few minutes to reach the parking lot, where you can catch a bus to the village. You can eat and shop before taking the bus back to the city.