Lantau Island is the nature park of Hong Kong. The largest of the outlying islands, Lantau Island Hong Kong is almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island, but has only a fraction of the main island’s population. This sparsely populated island offers much in the way of natural beauty, with pristine subtropical forests, tall mountain peaks, and gorgeous bays and beaches. In addition to its natural beauty, however, Lantau Island also offers some of Hong Kong’s top attractions, such as Hong Kong Disneyland, and the Tian Tan Buddha. Transportation around the island is easy with an efficient bus system, and several of the attractions can be reached from the central MTR subway line from the main island, or by ferry from Central.

Lantau Island Hotels

The low population density of Lantau Island Hong Kong means that there are only a few hotels available, and most travelers tend to stay in Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island instead. Conveniently situated near the Mui Wo ferry terminal, the Silvermine Beach Resort is a small, midrange hotel located on a small beach. There are more hotel options near the town of Tung Chung and Hong Kong Airport, such as the SkyCity Marriott and the Citygate Novotel, and you can of course also choose to stay at the Disneyland Hotel for convenient access to the theme park.

Discovery Bay Lantau Island

Discovery Bay is a resort community on Lantau Island and boasts a beautiful beach as well as a golf resort. It houses a large concentration of foreigners, and English is commonly used. The community has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes catering to expats, although prices are usually quite high. Because of its status as a quiet resort community, Discovery Bay is not a large tourist attraction, but if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, renting a condo or apartment here is an excellent choice.

Lantau Island Cable Car

The Lantau Island Cable Car, also known as Ngong Ping 360, is one of the island’s newest and most spectacular attractions. The cable car takes visitors from the Tung Chung MTR station to Ngong Ping, where the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha are located. The Lantau Island cable car is an incredible way to see the scenery of the island, and is also the most convenient way to get to the monastery and its Buddha statue. The Po Lin Monastery is an attraction in its own right, with several temples, a meditation walk, and a famous vegetarian restaurant. But it is the Tian Tan Buddha (known as the Big Buddha) that is the main draw at Ngong Ping. It is the world’s second-largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha and can be seen as far away as Macau on a clear day. While the cable car takes you close, you’ll still need to climb 268 steps to reach the Tian Tan Buddha’s viewing platform.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the city's top attractions, although it is the smallest of the Disney theme parks around the world. It brings visitors from all over Asia, and in particular, from Mainland China. Like other Disney theme parks, Hong Kong Disneyland is split up into various sections such as Main Street, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and new attractions such as Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch. The theme park also has two hotels to house visitors.

Lantau Island Hiking

The best way to escape the tourists and to truly see the beauty of Lantau Island Hong Kong is to hike its many miles of walking trails. The Lantau Trail is a 70 km loop around the island, and many of its sections are easily accessible via the Lantau bus system. An excellent idea is to hike the country trail near Tai Long Wan Beach, one of Hong Kong’s longest, most beautiful, and most pristine beaches. Another interesting section of the trail takes you near Tai O village, a traditional fishing village with houses built on stilts. Wherever you decide to go, the peaceful atmosphere of Lantau Island is a stunning contrast to the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong.