The City in Heaven: Ngong Ping Village, Hong Kong

My mom and me, we put always ourselves in the midst of an adventure. Being away from her for 303 of 365 days of a year, she makes it a point to treat me into a "date" every way and time possible. The summer of 2012, her way of pay back is a trip to Ngong Ping Village.

Ngong Ping Cable Car is a visually spectacular 5.7km cable car journey, travelling between Tung Chung Town Centre and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. Visitors will enjoy panoramic views of the Hong Kong International Airport, South China Sea, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue, as well as the flora and fauna of North Lantau Country Park. (Source: Ngong Ping 360 Website)

Why you should visit Ngong Ping Village?

Well, let the pictures speak for themselves. Keep scrolling down, my friend. 

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1. The 5.7km 360-degree View Cable Car 

You will be able to ride a 5.7km cable car wherein you can choose a gondola with a 360 view. YES. 360, left and right, top and below are GLASS. If you are not afraid of heights, you should try this and see the amazing view in a bubble-like experience.

Not only will the view be 360 degrees, but also, you'll experience going into foggy clouds like this one in the picture. It's certainly straight out of the Wizard of Oz movie.

2. Walk in the heaven-like village of Ngong Ping

3. Learn about the culture through the Buddhist Temples

Visit the Po Lin Monastery and buy their famous wooden bracelets sold near the Tian Tan Buddha.

3. Go up the 268 steps of "Big Buddha" 

This Buddha is as high as 34 metres and can be seen as far as Macau in clear day!!

HK CENTRAL STATION to NGONG PING VILLAGE

Step 1: In HK MTR Central Station, ride in the Tung Chung Line (Orange Line) to Tung Chung Station.

Step 2: In Tung Chung Station, walk to the Ngong Ping Cable Car terminal. 

I suggest you buy/book your tickets prior to arrival because the line can get super long.  (Read details (and rants) below.)

Step 3: Ride the cable car to Ngong Ping Village. You can choose a gondola (a standard one or a 360-degree view gondola. Prices are different. See details below.)

Step 4: In Ngong Ping Village, explore the area. There are maps like the one below. Make sure to visit the Tian Tan Buddha and other landmarks mentioned.

NGONG PING VILLAGE to HK CENTRAL STATION

When returning to the city center, follow the routes you took backwards.

Step 1: Ride the cable car to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal. 

Step 2: In Tung Chung Station Cable Car terminal, walk to Tung Chung MTR Station.

Step 3: In Tung Chung Station, ride in the Tung Chung Line (Orange Line) to HK MTR Central Station. 

There are stores there offering local street foods like Beef Offal and hot pot balls with curry sauce. There are some noodle houses in there perfect for the cold temperature in the place. 

However, because the village is isolated and a tourist destination expect the prices to be higher compared to the usual. If your on a budget trip, I suggest you buy snacks in Tung Chung before riding the cable car. 

1. SNACKS

If you have read the previous paragraph, you should have known by now the number one travel must have if you are a budget traveler (like me). SNACKS. Buy your snacks in Tung Chung before riding the cable car. 

2. WATER 

Yes, water. AND LOTS OF IT. If you are planning to go up the Tian Tan Buddha, I suggest you bring something for hydration. The way up the Tian Tan Buddha is really tiring.

3. JACKET

Ngong Ping Village is in a high altitude. High altitude, meaning lower temperature. It is windy and chilly all throughout the year just like in Tagaytay and Baguio (kaway kaway sa mga Pinoy jan!)

BOOK/BUY TICKETS ONLINE. It will be easier. I promise. Believe me. When we went there, we spent 2 hours in line. And that's two hours of standing up. Two hours of hunger. Two hours of boredom. So, basically, two hours of wasted time.

You can book in  platforms that offer legit tickets. Keyword is LEGIT, beware of fake ones out there. 

You can try booking with Klook. I have not tried booking for a ticket for Ngong Ping via Klook. But I have book for other activities using this app and I can say nothing but good reviews. 

They offer discounted tickets, free meal voucher and line-free transactions. 

So, you have to choose in a standard cabin and a crystal cabin.

STANDARD CABIN is the standard gondola cable car. Duh.

CRYSTAL CABIN is the 360-degree view cable car. Great view. Very instagrammable. But more expensive.

Try booking with Ngong Ping Standard Cabin in Klook by clicking here.

*This is not a paid advertisement. Just my personal recommendation.

[ COMING SOON ]

I couldn't really give you the exact expense breakdown that me and my mom had because it was a few years ago already. I could research but they I wouldn't be able to authenticate it. However, I would soon going to Ngong Ping. I'll update this post by then.

So that's it for this post. I hope this has been informative to you. Have fun in your future endeavors and always remember "Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures."