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Tian Tan Big Buddha (Ngong Ping)天坛大佛
The 34-meter seated bronze Big Buddha on Lantau Island — completed 1993, facing north over the sea toward Beijing — ranks among the world's largest outdoor bronze statues. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung crosses the airport and islands to reach it, beside the working Po Lin Monastery.
Hong Kong · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Tian Tan Big Buddha (Ngong Ping) worth visiting?
Lantau's 34-meter bronze Big Buddha facing north over the sea, beside the vegetarian-kitchen Po Lin Monastery — reached by the Ngong Ping 360 cable car over the airport and islands, with a 268-step...
Quick facts
| Ticket | Buddha free; Po Lin Monastery free; cable car ~HK$160-270 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00-17:30 |
| Recommended duration | half day |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings; clear days for the cable car |
| How to get there | MTR to Tung Chung + Ngong Ping 360 cable car (25 min) |
| English signage | good |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
What to expect
The statue took 12 years to complete (1990-1993) and was cast in 202 bronze pieces; it sits on a lotus pedestal modeled after the Temple of Heaven's altar — hence 'Tian Tan'. Visitors climb 268 steps to the pedestal's three levels, with views over Lantau's peaks, the South China Sea and the airport's runway reclamation.
Po Lin Monastery next door is a working monastery famous for its vegetarian restaurant, and the Ngong Ping village below handles the cable-car terminal, tea gardens and the Wisdom Path walking loop.
The Wisdom Path lays out 38 wooden columns inscribed with the Heart Sutra in a figure-eight across the hillside, a 15-minute walk from the statue, and the Ngong Ping 360's glass-bottom crystal cabins turn the return leg into a panorama of Lantau and the sea in its own right.
How to get there
MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung, then the Ngong Ping 360 cable car (25 min, glass-bottom cabins optional) or bus 23 from Tung Chung town.
Best photo spots
- The 268-step climb facing the Buddha
- Cable-car views over the airport and sea
- Wisdom Path wooden stele loop
Tips
- Cable car queues peak midday — go early or buy round-trip standard cabins
- Po Lin's vegetarian lunch is the classic pairing
- Pair the statue with the Wisdom Path and a loop of Ngong Ping village — the walking there is flat and shaded, unlike the 268-step climb
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach the Big Buddha?
MTR to Tung Chung, then the Ngong Ping 360 cable car (25 min) or bus 23 — the cable car is the scenic choice, crossing Lantau's peaks.
Is there an entry fee?
The Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are free; the cable car costs HK$160-270 return depending on cabin type.
Can I visit without riding the cable car?
Yes — bus 23 from Tung Chung town centre climbs to Ngong Ping in about 35 minutes for a fraction of the cable-car fare; the trade-off is a winding mountain road instead of the sea-and-island views.
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