Tian Tan Buddha and Ngong Ping: Lantau Visit Guide
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The Tian Tan Buddha, often called the Big Buddha, stands beside Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. Ngong Ping is the surrounding plateau and village, not another name for the statue. The Hong Kong Tourism Board describes the bronze statue as 34 metres high including its base, completed in 1993, with 268 steps to reach it.[1] From the Ngong Ping cable car terminal, Po Lin lists a further 10-minute walk to the monastery.[2]
Plan the statue, monastery and village as nearby but distinct stops. Po Lin's Thus Come Thus Gone Exhibition has its own location and hours, which differ from those of the outdoor statue.
Choose your way up to Ngong Ping
For a scenic approach, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car runs between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, a ride of about 25 minutes over 5.7 kilometres.[3] Tickets are sold as single trip or round trip, with standard cabins and glass-bottomed Crystal Cabins, and the two trips of a round-trip ticket are valid on the same day only.[3] The Tung Chung cable car terminal is next to Tung Chung MTR Station, a five-minute walk from Exit B.[4] According to the operator's visitor guide, the cable car and Ngong Ping Village open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 09:00 to 18:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with different hours on some designated dates.[4]
The bus is a separate route choice. Po Lin's visitor information names Lantau Bus 23 from the bus station outside Tung Chung MTR Station to Ngong Ping Bus Terminus, which takes about 45 minutes. You can also take the First Ferry from Central Pier to Mui Wo and Lantau Bus 2 from there to Ngong Ping, about 35 minutes from Mui Wo.[2] Timetables are published by New Lantao Bus.[2]
Things to Do
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Allow for the steps and the monastery's separate schedule
Visitors climb 268 steps to reach the statue.[1] From the base, the staircase is the main physical part of a Buddha visit. Po Lin's visitor page gives no step-free route to the upper platform, so contact the monastery on (852) 2985 5248 or [email protected] if that affects your plan.[2]
Po Lin lists the Big Buddha daily from 10:00 to 17:30, the monastery from 09:00 to 18:00, and its vegetarian kitchen from 11:30 to 16:30, including public holidays.[2] The Thus Come Thus Gone Exhibition is in the Hall of Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha and the Hall of Bodhisattva Amitabha in front of the monastery's Buddha Hall, open from 10:00 to 17:00, seven days a week.[5] Po Lin's Big Buddha page has more on the statue and the exhibition, which explains its construction and its 2020 to 2022 renovation.
Decide whether to add Tai O
If you want a longer Lantau day, Tai O can be a separate stop after Ngong Ping. Po Lin lists Lantau Bus 21 from the bus stop in Tai O to Ngong Ping Bus Terminus, about 15 minutes.[2] Leave enough flexibility for the return journey.
Keep the cable car plan flexible
Ngong Ping 360 says rainstorms or thunderstorms may lead to a cable car suspension, and on scheduled servicing days the cable car stops while Ngong Ping Village stays open.[3] Check the operator's FAQ and website announcements, or call its Guest Services hotline on (852) 3666 0606, before setting out.[3] The bus is the alternative if the cable car is not running.
For a short visit, focus on the Buddha and monastery, and add Tai O only if you have time for the extra journey. For more ideas, continue with GoAsia's Hong Kong destination guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Hong Kong Tourism Board: The Big Buddha. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Po Lin Monastery: Visitors: Lantau routes and opening hours. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Ngong Ping 360: FAQs: operating hours and bad-weather service. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Ngong Ping 360: Tourist Guide: opening hours and getting here. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] Po Lin Monastery: Tian Tan Giant Buddha Thus Come Thus Gone Exhibition. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Big Buddha is the Tian Tan Buddha statue. Ngong Ping is the surrounding plateau and village, and Po Lin Monastery is beside the statue. From the Ngong Ping cable car terminal it is a further 10-minute walk to the monastery.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board lists 268 steps to reach the statue. If the climb matters for your visit, contact Po Lin Monastery about access to the upper platform, because its visitor page gives no step-free route.
The Ngong Ping 360 cable car takes about 25 minutes from Tung Chung. Lantau Bus 23 from outside Tung Chung MTR Station takes about 45 minutes. Both start at Tung Chung, so the choice is the ride against the road connection. The cable car can be suspended in bad weather.
Yes. Po Lin lists Lantau Bus 21 from Tai O to Ngong Ping Bus Terminus, about 15 minutes. Check the New Lantao Bus timetable to make sure the return connection fits your day.
Po Lin lists the Big Buddha from 10:00 to 17:30, the monastery from 09:00 to 18:00 and the vegetarian kitchen from 11:30 to 16:30 daily, including public holidays. The cable car and Ngong Ping Village open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 09:00 to 18:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with different hours on some designated dates.
No. Po Lin lists its Thus Come Thus Gone Exhibition from 10:00 to 17:00 daily in two halls in front of the monastery Buddha Hall, while the Big Buddha is listed from 10:00 to 17:30.
Yes. Ngong Ping 360 says rainstorms or thunderstorms may lead to a cable car suspension, and scheduled servicing days also pause the service. Check its announcements or call (852) 3666 0606 before you travel.
