Lantau Island tour from Hong Kong: Big Buddha & Tai O boat ride

Ride the cable car to the Buddha, then drift past fishing villages by boat

A 7-hour guided tour of Lantau Island departing from Hong Kong hotels, combining the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ascent to the 112-foot Tian Tan Buddha, a boat ride through Tai O fishing village, and Po Lin Monastery. The tour includes group entry that bypasses the standard two-hour cable car queue, an English-speaking guide, vegetarian lunch, and air-conditioned transport. Pickup from your hotel lobby is standard. Private van upgrades are available for cruise terminal arrivals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lantau Island3h
2. Tung Chung30m · entry included
3. Ngong Ping 36030m · entry included
4. Tai O20m · entry included
5. Po Lin Monastery20m
6. Big Buddha1h · entry included

Lantau Island sightseeing and cultural tour

• Ride Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
• Visit Tian Tan Big Buddha
• Explore Po Lin Monastery
• Boat ride around Tai O village
• Free time in Ngong Ping Village
• Visit Oriental Heritage shop
• Enjoy included vegetarian lunch

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hong Kong hotel, then heads to Tung Chung to board the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. The 5.7-kilometer ride climbs to the mountain peak with 360-degree views of the South China Sea, the airport, and the forested slopes below. Group entry means you skip the two-hour queue that forms at the cable car station: most visitors wait on-site to buy individual tickets, but your prepaid confirmation gets you straight through.

At the top, you stand beneath the Tian Tan Buddha, the world's largest outdoor seated bronze statue at 112 feet tall. Po Lin Monastery sits nearby, one of Hong Kong's most important Buddhist temples. You have free time to explore Ngong Ping Village and browse Oriental Heritage, a cultural shop stocked with local heritage goods and souvenirs, before the group reconvenes for lunch: a Chinese-style vegetarian meal included with the tour.

The afternoon takes you to Tai O fishing village, where you board a local boat to drift past the traditional stilt houses that rise directly from the water. In summer, the boat route sometimes passes through waters where pink dolphins appear. The tour wraps at Tung Chung cable car station by 4 p.m. If the cable car is closed for maintenance or severe weather, coach transport replaces it between Ngong Ping and Tung Chung at no reduction in price.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for all transfers and sightseeing.
• air-conditioned coach or private van depending on your option.
• group entry to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car that bypasses the standard queue.
• boat ride through Tai O fishing village to see the stilt houses.
• Chinese-style vegetarian lunch.
• free time to explore Ngong Ping Village and Oriental Heritage cultural shop.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 11:00

Guide in English09:30

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “For guests joining the Base Tour, please meet us at the lobby of Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui).”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Century Holiday OTA

Is this one for you?Choose the standard bus tour if you're comfortable sharing the coach with other travelers and want the full day at the best price. Pick the private van upgrade if you're arriving at the cruise terminal or prefer a smaller group and more flexible timing throughout the day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long does the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride take?

The cable car journey from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping covers 5.7 kilometers and offers panoramic views of the South China Sea, Hong Kong International Airport, and the North Lantau Country Park as it climbs to the mountain peak.

What is the Tian Tan Buddha and why is it worth seeing?

The Tian Tan Buddha is the world's largest outdoor seated bronze statue, standing 112 feet tall on Lantau Island. From its base, you take in 360-degree views of the island's forested hillsides and blue-green water.

What happens during the Tai O boat ride?

You board a local boat in Tai O fishing village to glide past traditional stilt houses built directly over the water. In summer months, the route sometimes passes through areas where pink dolphins are spotted.

Why does this tour skip the cable car line?

Most visitors buying tickets on-site face a two-hour wait for individual entry. This tour includes group entry, a privilege for travel agent customers that uses a separate, shorter queue at the cable car station.

What if the cable car is closed when I visit?

If the Ngong Ping 360 cable car is suspended for maintenance or closed due to severe weather, coach transportation replaces it between Ngong Ping and Tung Chung. The tour price remains the same and the itinerary continues as planned.

Is pickup available from the airport or cruise terminal?

Standard group tours do not include pickup from the airport, cruise terminal, subway station, or railway station. Private van upgrades are available for cruise terminal arrivals. Hotel lobby pickup is included with the standard option.