For this post however, the main focus is on Ngong Ping's Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Wisdom Path and the slightly western end- Tai O, all of which can be visited within a day.
With my ger jiehui who planned most of the itinerary on the trip!
How?
Departing from Mongkok station- Lai King MTR - Tung Chung MTR for Ngong Ping 360.
You do know Hong Kong MTR stations' names are quite unique and makes good photography points right?
A typical MTR train in Hong Kong
What package?
We bought the 360Sky-Land-Sea Day Pass at 255 HKD for standard cabin. This includes round trip cable car, Tour Bus to and fro Tai O, Tai O boat excursion and Ngong Ping 360 20 HKD voucher ( which we didn’t spend).
Even without a package, you can still go to Tai O on Bus 21 from Ngong Ping Village with the Octopus Card. Head to the big car park near Starbucks.
Seriously, buying all the tickets ala-carte might be in fact be cheaper and I recommend you to do so instead of buying a package ticket, especially since the places from one point to another are easily accessible.
There are different timings for the tour bus to bring you to Tai O and you just have to wait at the bus bay behind Starbucks in Ngong Ping Village to board. On board, there is a tour guide, which, frankly speaking isn’t much of a guide except that he did brief us about some history facts. Still, was quite an OTOT kind of exploration. If you were to continue with the tour, the guide will bring the group ans introduce about Tian Tan Buddha after Tai O.
It’s good to know and hear more about the background, but then again the pace of the tour might be too rush for your liking. If you prefer more of the slow-down + lots of photo taking kind of a pace, skip their tour.
LET'S GO!
On board the cable cabin~
Here's the view from the cable car as you approach the terminus.
Trey spotting Tian Tan Buddha from the far end.
Ngong Ping Village
Ngong Ping Village is a fabricated village that is more a coagulate of shops and eateries that leads to Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. There are different “experience” shows like 3D shows etc. but no worth to pay for them in my opinion.
Do you like Bruce Lee or IP Man more?
Bodhi Wishing Shrine
One of the more famous points inside the village could jolly well be this wishing shrine.
Make a wish~
Tai O
Stepping into Tai O is akin to being in any fishing village on stilts in Asia. It’s quite a surprise to see such a huge disparity between the bustling Hong Kong and this fishing village at the fringe.
Tai O is a fishing village known for its fishery trading, import and export back in the past but has now seen a decline due to the moving out of the younger generations. Instead, you can see many elderly in the market and villages. In the Tai O market, you can find a range of dried seafood and condiments such as dried fish maw, shrimp paste and is popular among locals and tourists alike.
Even Fresh cuttlefish~~
Tai O Boat Ride
The boat ride was an enjoyable one but I forgot how long we were on the boat. 15? 30 mins? Either way we were riding through the stilt houses on water and it’s amazing Hong Kong still has such sights remaining.
The boat ride was an enjoyable one but I forgot how long we were on the boat. 15? 30 mins? Either way we were riding through the stilt houses on water and it’s amazing Hong Kong still has such sights remaining.
As with all stilt houses in the word, which I have seen pretty much, from Cambodia to Myanmar, there will be some sort of foul smell but that was not a problem.
Relax, take in the salty sea breeze and take in the sea view.
Drying your clothes?
Spot Dolphins!
After meandering through the stilt houses, the boat then opens up to the sea and this is where the dolphin spotting happens! When the Chinese White Dolphins were spotted, the boat bursts out in cheers! It was really hard to capture them on the camera as they were pretty far away.
After meandering through the stilt houses, the boat then opens up to the sea and this is where the dolphin spotting happens! When the Chinese White Dolphins were spotted, the boat bursts out in cheers! It was really hard to capture them on the camera as they were pretty far away.
(credit: jiehui)
There was a school of them but they were really fast moving and further as the boat approached.
EAT IN TAI O
Now, after alighting from the boat ride, walk around the village and you will discover MANY MANY DELISH Snacks! All of which are exclusive, I can say, to Tai O village purely and not easily available anywhere else in Hong Kong.
It's endless fun to eat, sightseeing and click click away.
炭燒雞蛋仔叔叔. Chargrilled Egg Waffle.
This face belongs to the uncle behind the widely acclaimed Chargrilled Egg Waffles.
Watching the preparation is just as mesmerizing as having the waffle itself.
Grilling on the hot stove, 叔叔 (uncle) nimbly flips over the waffle mold-pan over the charcoal grill. Although there was a crowd but he was still able to produce the waffles fairly quickly, all on his own- being the cashier and the cook all at once.
The outcome?
This extremely crispy egg waffle which still retains the moist and soft fluffiness on the inside!
It was smelling heavenly and it's not too sweet. Light and spongy, bringing you comfort on gloomy days.
Tai O Donut. 沙翁
Just on the opposite side of this shop, we spotted another yummy sweet. This is your doughnut, Tai O style and freshly produced freshly from Tai O Bakery 大澳餅店.
Imagine- plain sugar coated on deep fried fluffy egg dough. I don't know how they do it but it's definitely not those super cloying or overly sweet westernized doughnuts that we are used to. This is definitely fried but tasted so good, I had wanted to get more, but stomach space limited.
Curry Big Fish Balls 咖哩大鱼旦
Near the entrance to the market near the bus bay are stalls selling these bouncy huge fish balls. Dipped in curry and it tasted oh-so-heavenly! Must try!
( credits: jiehui)
Cai Guo.茶果財
There are 2 stalls selling these soft mellow mochi alike in Tai O and are so delicious! We happened really, to just pass by <隱姑 >and tried their versions. The other store is <依間> It's a really popular sweet and there were people queing but still in stocks. The skin of the "mochi" is think and marshmallow-like stuffed with ample peanuts and sugar fillings.
Try it out, sweet nothings.
Grilled seafood store. This store seems especially popular and boosts 2 shop fronts for patrons
Tofu pudding 豆腐花
Another speciality in Tai O, are the tofu pudding stalls along the streets. There are many so I don't think it's really neccessary to look for anyone stall in particular. Yuin yan pudding, walnut pudding, black sesame
Tofu Pudding 12 HKD and Tofu + Sesame 15 HKD 
( Credits: Jiehui)
Stroll. Take in the sights and sounds.
You won't get lost in the village as there are not many ways to go round in it and you will be able to eventually reach the bus bay/ bus stop point. So not to worry even if you are traveling alone. Just walk around the whole area randomly at your own pace. =)
Along the way you can also spot quirky souvenirs such as DRIED PUFFER FISH for sales! Believed they have been cleaned up internally and dried to be reborn as souvenirs droning cute hat accessories
Even spotted a cheery colorful kindergarten!
Chinese Pizza. 香妃卷
Just before I end my portion here on Tai O, I just wanna introduce another yummy snack. Yes, we just can't resist all the food in Tai O!
We stumbled upon this and the stall is located near the Sun Ki Bridge. Though we were bursting from the fullness but we just wanna have a try. You know, Singaporeans love our food don't we?
No regrets, thumbs up! Try them and bring lots of stomach space.
<大澳小食>
大澳吉慶街70號
First the wrap mix was poured onto the huge pan with 2 eggs (? If I remembered correctly) were cracked over and spread.
ext, you see a big full piece of wrap filled with generous stuffing of spring onions, pork floss, semsame, prickled radish and the crispy kelopoks cooked on stove and finally drizzled with dark sweet sauce which was then rolled up and cut into 4 HUGE PIECES.
We even topped up for pork slices. Awesome.
Okay, apologies this looks crumbled, but it's a wrapped roll form and the insides are packed jammed!
Everything just burst and overflowed once you bite into it and things can get messy~~
( credits: jiehui)
Sun Ki Bridge
Here is the bridge.
and the container boxes of houses spotted
Bus 21- return to Ngong Ping
The terminal from Tai O is known as 'Lung Tin Estate' and it goes on the way down. The timings listed.. well not exactly as follows but no worries, just ask the drivers gathered around near the terminal. Tap with Octopus Transportation Card.
Tian Tan Buddha
Returning from Tai O, walk through Ngong Ping Village again to arrive at the main entrance leading to Tian Tan Buddha.
There are cows roaming the premises. It's so~ funny
268 Steps
The Tian Tan Buddha symbolizes 6 characteristics and virtues of generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation and wisdom. Standing Sitting tall at 112 ft high and weighing 250 metric tons, the Tian Tan Buddha is the largest outdoor sitting Buddha in the world.
It's a very mild flights of steps up, all paved well maintained. Take your time and you will reach the peak in no time.
View from above after ascend.
View as you descend
From afar...
Till ground level again after the 268 steps
Wisdom Path Walk
Head towards Tea Garden Restaurant after coming down the stairs from Tian Tan Buddha, located at the back of Po Lin Mon. Follow the signage in, to a 15 mins paved trail among the forest.
When you reach the destination, you will be in awe. At least I was.
38 wooden carvings, upright, containing verses from Heart Sutra- one of the best well known prayers belived by Buhhists, Taoists and Confusians alike, in a '8' shape representing infinity ∞.
Very amazing.
At the viewing deck looking across to the 38 verses, there is an explanation on the names.
Po Lin Monastery.
the monastery is considered as the most important Buddhist venue place of worship by the locals and is a rich and colorful portrayal of Buddhism. The monastery has just finished restoration and looks gorgeously shining for the inner halls.
Vegetarian meal perhaps?
You should definitely try and experience it for yourself. It was a pity as we were really too full from all the eating at Tai O and had to give up the vegetarian meals.
Take note of the timing and pricing below nonetheless.
Ngong Ping 360 ( ticketing for cable cars/packages)
Discover Hong Kong ( official website)
Thanks for reading! I have 3 more posts of Hong Kong to continue before sharing back on my Taiwan Trip, made possible by Eva Airways and the cute Hello Kitty Plane!
Please keep on following me~~
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