This post consists of random photos taken on another island of Hong Kong—Lantau Island, specifically in the high-altitude plateau of Ngong Ping.
From Hong Kong Island, we took the train to Lantau Island, and from there, we rode the cable car to Ngong Ping. It was both an amazing and terrifying experience! I had never ridden a cable car before. To be honest, I think flying on a plane feels less scary because you can't clearly see what's directly below you. But in the cable car, I could look through the glass walls and see the towering mountains, the lush forests, and even the ocean beneath us. It was breathtaking, but also nerve-racking!
Even so, I don't regret the experience at all. No one should miss visiting the Tian Tan (Big) Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and the incredible mountain views that surround the area. The village is also filled with shops selling beautiful souvenirs, making it a wonderful place to explore.
One of the highlights for me was the architecture of Po Lin Monastery. We went inside, and I was amazed by the intricate craftsmanship. I couldn't stop wondering how they managed to create such detailed designs on the walls, floors, and beautifully decorated roofs. We also saw various Buddha statues, religious artworks, and a massive prayer hall where many visitors came to pray. Everything was grand and majestic, with gold being the dominant color throughout the hall—including the magnificent Buddha statue itself.
Visiting Ngong Ping was an unforgettable experience. It combined breathtaking natural scenery, rich culture, remarkable architecture, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it one of the most memorable parts of our Hong Kong journey.
Like I said, the food was absolutely amazing, especially the ramen and sushi at Shiro Restaurant. They were incredibly delicious! I also loved the little cakes topped with lots of fresh raspberries—they were sweet, fresh, and so tasty.
The only food I didn't really enjoy was the Indian cuisine. The flavors and seasonings were a bit too strong for my taste. However, my husband really liked it, and that was perfectly fine. At least I had the chance to try something new and explore the different flavors of another country's cuisine.
And of course, one of my husband's signature travel traditions is trying different beers wherever we go. If he finds one that looks interesting, he just has to taste it.😄
That's why we ended up taking photos of the different kinds of beers and other alcoholic drinks we came across. They became fun little souvenirs and memories from our trip.
This is the big entrance arch wall on Lantau Island is the Pai Lau (or New Pai Lau), which serves as the grand monumental gate and Mountain Gate leading into the Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha complex at Ngong Ping. It features a distinct triple-arched white stone gateway configuration.
These shops are just a short walk from the cable car station, where you can find plenty of souvenirs to take home. By the time we arrived, many people were already exploring the area and browsing the different shops.
Instead of stopping to shop right away, we decided to head straight to the main attractions. We wandered around the village, climbed the long staircase to the Big Buddha, visited Po Lin Monastery, and strolled through the beautiful gardens. After all that walking, we took a short break and enjoyed a light snack in the park.
We planned to visit the souvenir shops later, as we would pass them again on our way back to the cable car station before heading home.
Oh, this was the view of the city just a short distance from the cable car station, where our ride had only just begun. As soon as I looked down and saw the bridge, the water, and the incredible height below us, I honestly felt like I was going to fall!
By the way, my husband took all of these photos and videos. As for me, I was sitting quietly in the corner of the cable car, trying not to panic. Part of me wanted to close my eyes because I didn't know what else to do.
I don't know if the older passengers noticed how nervous I was, but they were completely relaxed and seemed to be enjoying every second of the ride. It amazed me because they looked to be in their seventies, yet they appeared so calm and fearless. Then again, they had probably ridden the cable car many times before, so it was nothing new to them.
Oh, these photos are really random! This picture at the beach was taken just a few days before our flight home. It wasn't on Lantau Island—in fact, I'm not exactly sure which part of Hong Kong it was anymore.😅 Even so, it was another fun and unforgettable place that we had the chance to visit.
I'll share more about this beautiful location with the next picture below.
Just look at the height! By this point, we had already reached the top. I can't even remember how many steps we had climbed—they seemed endless! All I know is that the journey up to the Big Buddha was both tiring and rewarding. It was definitely a great workout, but every step was worth it for the incredible views and the unforgettable experience waiting at the top.
Oh, here's another collection of random photos! The first one was taken in the city, where we bought T-shirts as souvenirs for my family. While we were shopping, we also found a beautiful little notebook with an aesthetic leather cover and a dragon embossed on the front.
I instantly fell in love with it, and my husband bought it for me as a gift. It's a simple souvenir, but it has become one of my favorite keepsakes from our trip to Hong Kong.
This is Repulse Bay Beach, a beautiful crescent-shaped beach known for its soft golden sand, calm waters, upscale surroundings, and nearby temples.
It was such a peaceful place. Of course, there were many people around—families, couples, solo travelers, and groups of friends—but everyone was simply enjoying each other's company and the beauty of the beach. The atmosphere was relaxed and calm, making it the perfect place to unwind.
What amazed me even more were the towering skyscrapers nestled beneath the mountains, overlooking the beach. It was such a unique sight and something I had never seen before. The combination of nature, the sea, and modern architecture made the experience truly unforgettable.
To get there, we took a bus from the city. Before leaving, we bought some snacks to enjoy at the beach. Later, we had a delicious meal at a Japanese restaurant along the shoreline before heading back to the sand. We spent hours relaxing, swimming in the refreshing water, and even getting a little sun-kissed.
It was the perfect way to slow down, reflect, and cherish the wonderful memories of our trip and our wedding in Hong Kong before it was finally time to return home.
This is the road leading down to the beach. From here, we could already see the crystal-clear water and the beautiful view of the beach below. It was such an amazing sight and made us even more excited to reach the shore.
Look at the Big Buddha! The sculpture's base is a model of the one in the United Kingdom. One of the five large Buddha images in China, it is enthroned on a lotus on top of a three-platform altar. Surrounding it are six smaller bronze images known as "The Offering of the Six Devas" that are posed offering flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit, and music to the Buddha.
This is the starting point—the cable car station where we began our journey to Lantau Island, home to the famous Tian Tan (Big) Buddha. The excitement started here as we prepared for one of the most unforgettable experiences of our trip.
I find this picture really cute because it was taken while we were sitting at a cozy café, enjoying our morning coffee. The café was conveniently located just behind our Airbnb, making it one of our favorite spots to start the day.
If you look at the building in the photo, one of those windows belongs to our Airbnb. It makes this picture even more special because it reminds me of the wonderful place we called home during our stay in Hong Kong.