Ngong Ping 360 Skyrail, Lantau Island Hong Kong

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Before 1994 Tung Chung, on Lantau’s northern coast, was an inaccessible farming village. Less than four years later, it was transformed into a new town and a new airport was added to nearby Chek Lap Kok. Today Tung Chung has the largest population on the island – around 80,000 – with a 760-hectare residential estate served by the MTR. Most people come here to shop at the Citygate Outlets, but there are some interesting historical sights in the vicinity too.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lantau attractions

1. Hau Wong Temple

0.41 MILES

Facing Tung Chung Bay is this double-roofed temple, founded at the end of the Song dynasty. It contains a bell dating from 1765 that's inscribed by the…

2. Tung Chung Fort & Battery

0.64 MILES

Annals record a settlement at Tung Chung as early as the Ming dynasty. There are several Buddhist establishments in the upper reaches of the valley, but…

3. Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha

2.27 MILES

Po Lin is a huge Buddhist monastery and temple complex that was built in 1924. Today it seems more of a tourist honeypot than a religious retreat,…

4. Cheung Sha

3.13 MILES

Cheung Sha (Long Sand) is Hong Kong's longest beach, stretching more than 3km on the southern coast of Lantau. It's divided into ‘upper’ and ‘lower’…

5. Silvermine Waterfall

3.35 MILES

If time allows, hike from Mui Wo town to Silvermine Waterfall (銀礦瀑布), near the old Silvermine Cave northwest of town (the cave was mined for silver in the…

6. Tong Fuk

3.39 MILES

The beach at Tong Fuk is not Lantau's nicest, but the village has holiday flats, several shops and restaurants, and its distance from Mui Wo means it's…

7. Pui O

3.68 MILES

Along South Lantau Rd is a succession of beaches that attract surfers, beach-goers and retirees alike. Just 5km southwest of Mui Wo, Pui O has a decent…

8. Yin Hing Monastery

3.7 MILES

There are good views of the mountains from this small Buddhist monastery, hidden away inside the South Lantau Country Park.