Situated at the mouth of the Pearl River, Lantau Island, covering over 56 square miles (147 square kilometers), is the largest island in Hong Kong, which is almost twice as large as Hong Kong Island itself. Lantau Island was originally the site of fishing villages, whereas today it has been highly developed due to the construction of some major infrastructure projects like Hong Kong International Airport.
Tian Tan Buddha, the most famous attraction on Lantau Island, is the largest outdoor bronze Buddha in China, almost 87 feet (26.4 meters) tall and taking up over an acre and a half (6,567 square meters). The Buddha is characterized by its imposing size and vivid facial expression where sophisticated skills and eastern culture are combined.
Founded in 1906, Po Lin Monastery, a Buddhist monastery, is another highlight of Lantau Island. The main temple houses three bronze statues of the Buddha as well as many Buddhist scriptures, representing his past, present and future lives. Another popular attraction on Lantau Island is climbing Phoenix Mountain to see the amazing sunrise from atop it. For climbing the Phoenix Mountain, starting at night and getting to its top before dawn is highly preferred by many people. Considering its steeps steps, getting enough preparation and bringing a flashlight is highly recommended.
Tai O Fishing Village is another reason for visiting Lantau Island. Tai O Fishing Village is located in the northwest of Lantau Island, which enjoys a history of more than 300 years. With its several hundred stilt houses, Tai O Fishing Village lures numerous visitors each year. The waterways, stilt houses and fishing boats are all well remained in Tai O Fishing Village just as they have for generations. The local specialties like salted fish, locally produced shrimp paste, and shrimp sauce are all available on Tai O.
Location: 11 kilometers west of Hong Kong Island
How to get there:
By Metro: The Airport Express and Tung Chung Line are both accessible to the Lantau Island, while taking the Tung Chung Line is highly suggested because the cost of taking Airport Express is eight as expensive as that of Tung Chung Line.