If you’re visiting Hong Kong on a cruise layover, chances are you only have a limited amount of time. In my previous guide, I covered the city’s classic sights. But if you’ve already been to Hong Kong before, have more than one day, or simply prefer a slower-paced experience, I’d highly recommend exploring Lantau Island. It’s the perfect place to step away from the crowds, reconnect with nature and enjoy a more relaxed side of Hong Kong.
Hello, I’m Stephen. I’m half Chinese, half English, and I’ve been guiding visitors around Hong Kong for over 10 years. Here are my personal recommendations for seeing a different side of my hometown.
Most people picture Hong Kong as nothing but towering skyscrapers and dense city streets. While that’s certainly part of its charm, over half of Hong Kong’s land is actually protected country park and green space. Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island—even bigger than Hong Kong Island itself—is the perfect place to experience that side of the city.
Your journey begins with one of Hong Kong’s most spectacular experiences: the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.
The ride takes around 25 minutes, floating high above mountains, forests and reservoirs before arriving at Ngong Ping. It’s a wonderfully relaxing way to start the day, giving you time to slow down, take in the scenery and see Hong Kong from a completely different perspective.
When you arrive, you’ll first walk through Ngong Ping Village. Rather than just being a shopping area, it’s a great place to browse for unique Hong Kong gifts. You’ll find beautifully made fans, quality chopsticks, locally produced cookies that make excellent gifts for friends and colleagues back home, as well as plenty of other interesting souvenirs. It’s a fun place to wander before continuing to the monastery and the Big Buddha.
The highlight of Ngong Ping is undoubtedly the Tian Tan Buddha, the world’s largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha.
It takes around 268 steps to reach the top, but the climb is well worth it. Along the way you’ll enjoy stunning views across Lantau Country Park, Lantau Peak—the second-highest mountain in Hong Kong—and out towards the South China Sea.
Many visitors don’t realise you can actually enter the Buddha. Inside you’ll find a small exhibition, an ancestral hall, and, perhaps most importantly on a hot day, air conditioning while you take a well-earned break after the climb.
The highlight of Ngong Ping is undoubtedly the Tian Tan Buddha, the world’s largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha.
Many visitors don’t realise you can actually enter the Buddha. Inside you’ll find a small exhibition, an ancestral hall, and, perhaps most importantly on a hot day, air conditioning while you take a well-earned break after the climb.
At the foot of the Buddha sits Po Lin Monastery, one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist temples, founded in 1906.
Here you can learn more about Buddhism, light incense to pray for good fortune, and admire the peaceful temple grounds.
One of the most fascinating parts of the monastery is the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Despite its name, there aren’t literally ten thousand Buddhas inside. The name symbolises the Buddhist belief that anyone can achieve enlightenment, making it a powerful reminder that Buddhahood is something everyone can aspire to.
Before leaving, I always recommend stopping by the monastery’s vegetarian snack shop. My favourites are the spring rolls, the pan-fried red bean cakes, and the vegetarian ham sui gok—a delicious fried glutinous rice dumpling that’s perfect as a quick snack before continuing your journey.
After Ngong Ping, it’s a short drive to my favourite place on Lantau—Tai O.
This village is especially meaningful to me because my dad’s family grew up here. Visiting Tai O feels like stepping back 50 or 60 years into Hong Kong’s past, before it became the global city it is today.
Long ago, much of Hong Kong’s coastline was lined with simple wooden houses. Most have disappeared as the city developed, but because Tai O sits in one of Hong Kong’s most remote corners, it has managed to preserve its unique stilt houses built above the water.
People often describe Tai O as the “Venice of Hong Kong.” While there are similarities, I think it’s better described as a humble, authentic fishing village where local life still revolves around the waterways.
A small boat ride through the stilt houses is one of the highlights of the trip.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot Hong Kong’s famous Chinese white dolphins—often called pink dolphins.
If seeing them is high on your wish list, your best chance is arriving in Tai O before 10 a.m. The earlier you go, the better your odds.
Even if the dolphins don’t appear, the boat ride itself is still well worth doing.
Tai O is also famous for its local snacks. My personal favourite is the Tai O doughnut—a freshly fried, fluffy doughnut without the hole that’s best eaten warm.
You’ll also find traditional herbal teas made from locally grown herbs. Many locals drink them to help cool the body or settle the stomach after travelling. If you’re a seafood lover, Tai O is hard to beat. You can choose live seafood straight from the tanks and have it cooked fresh just minutes later. It doesn’t get much fresher than that.
Experience a Slower Side of Hong Kong. After spending time in Central and the busy shopping districts, Tai O offers a completely different atmosphere. Life moves at a slower pace, making it the perfect place to relax, unwind and experience a side of Hong Kong that many visitors never see. Also, Lantau is right next to the airport, so great for a layout where we pick you up from the airport or drop you off there afterwards. I have done many tours picking guests up from the cruise terminal, touring lantau and ending at the airport.
If this sounds like your kind of Hong Kong, we’d love to show you around.
Because Lantau is spread across the island, we run this tour with a private vehicle, allowing you to relax, enjoy the scenery and spend more time experiencing each destination rather than worrying about transport connections. It makes the day much more comfortable, especially if you’re visiting on a cruise with limited time.
You can find more information about our Lantau Island Tour here.
This is just one guide in our series covering the best things to do during a Hong Kong cruise layover. Whether you’re interested in classic sightseeing, hidden neighbourhoods, heritage, hiking, family activities or incredible local food, we’ll be covering them all.
