Lantau is twice the size of Hong Kong Island, and most of it is country park. Drive across the island and you pass through genuine wilderness — forested mountains, empty valleys, and coastline that has seen far fewer footsteps than you would expect from one of the world’s most densely populated territories. The contrast with Mong Kok could not be more complete.
The Tian Tan Buddha sits at 34 metres of bronze on the summit of Lantau Peak. The approach matters: take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for the 25-minute ride over forested mountains in a glass-sided cabin (the Crystal Cabin adds a glass floor, making the height visceral). The Buddha reveals itself slowly as the cable car crests the final ridge — initially small, then growing to its full scale as you descend into Ngong Ping village. The 268-step climb to the base delivers sweeping views across the surrounding mountains and, on clear days, as far as the South China Sea.
Tai O on the western tip of the island is the most culturally distinctive part of Hong Kong. The traditional fishing village has houses built on stilts over tidal channels, connected by rope-pulled sampan ferry. The alleys between the stilted rows smell of brine and drying fish. Shrimp paste — the pungent fermented paste used throughout Cantonese cooking — is produced here and sold in earthenware pots from open shop fronts. The Tai O Heritage Hotel, a converted colonial police station, is the most atmospheric place to stay in Hong Kong.
Bus 11 from Tung Chung to Tai O (40 min, HKD 6) passes through Lantau countryside past small temples and farm plots. Do the cable car one way and bus the other to see both sides of the approach.