Hong Kong | Day 3

We started the day with a quick breakfast at 阿四快餐, where I had a bowl of beef noodle soup. It was pretty average, nothing too special.

The main plan for today was visiting the Big Buddha on Lantau Island, so we decided to bring some snacks along since food there would likely be pricey. We picked up a few polo buns from Kowloon Restaurant and headed straight to the MTR.

We took the metro to Tung Chung, where we bought tickets for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. The ride up to Ngong Ping village took about 20-25 minutes. It was a long ascent, but the views of the mountains were incredible. We went with the standard cabin, though they also had a glass-floor option for those wanting an extra thrill.

At the top, we arrived at Ngong Ping village. It was quite touristy, so we moved through it quickly, heading straight for the main attraction—the Tian Tan Buddha. This enormous bronze statue sits at the top of a mountain, and to reach it, you have to climb about 260 steps.

The climb was worth it for the view alone, and inside the Buddha, there’s a gallery filled with fascinating statues and artwork. After spending some time taking in the sights, we made our way back down the steps and visited the nearby Po Lin Monastery, exploring its peaceful courtyards.

Once we were done, we took the cable car back down the mountain and caught the MTR to Mong Kok. The streets there were busy, and we decided to stop for lunch at Mui Kee Cookfood Stall. The portions were generous, though the prices were a bit steep.

After lunch, we walked along Tung Choi Street, passing through the Ladies’ Market, which is full of stalls selling clothes and souvenirs. Our walk eventually led us to the Goldfish Market, where we saw countless pet stores selling fish and other small animals.

With another busy day behind us, we took the MTR back to the hotel for the night.