Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Guide – Lantau Island

Lush Lantau Island is a peaceful oasis that feels a million miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong. Our guide covers getting there via the breathtaking Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and what to expect when you get there.

Published: November 22, 2024
Ngong Ping 360 cable car

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Guide

The Tian Tan Buddha at Ngong Ping

The Ngong Ping 360 cable car is no mere means of getting from A to B: it’s an integral part of your Lantau experience and provides an awesome introduction to the island and its many treasures.

Hop aboard at Tung Chung for the scenic 3.5-mile ride up to Ngong Ping, a picturesque village high in the hills that’s home to a beautiful Buddhist temple and a 112-foot bronze Buddha with his head in the clouds. You’ll be able to see both of these on the 25-minute gondola journey, as well as taking in sweeping panoramas of Lantau North Country Park, the epic Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, and the glittering Hong Kong skyline.

There are three different carriage types to choose from: the standard is pretty spectacular in its own right, but daredevils can upgrade to a crystal car (with glass floor), or the almost fully transparent panoramic cabin, for the very best all-angle views.

Ngong Ping with Go City

Visitors at the Ngong Ping Discovery Center

On arrival in Ngong Ping, there’s plenty to explore. Besides the monastery and Buddha statue, there are shops, restaurants, temples, a discovery center, a nature center, a tea house, and a spectacular immersive theater experience. There’s even the option to take the coach round to Tai O, a colorful fishing town huddled around the Tai O River in the west of the island.

You can experience all these and more with a Hong Kong pass from Go City. The pass includes admission to 25+ Hong Kong attractions, including not one but two Ngong Ping 360 packages, plus other bucket list Hong Kong attractions like the Sky100 Observation Deck, Peak Tram, and Hong Kong Disneyland, and could save you up to 50% on standard admission prices.

View of the Tian Tan Buddha

The Hong Kong pass bundles the Ngong Ping 360 cable car with entry to Ngong Ping Village experiences including the immersive Motion 360 simulation and cable car discovery center, or a trip to Tai O. Both experiences include a return ride aboard a standard carriage, but it’s possible to upgrade to the crystal or panoramic cars for a fee when checking in.

Read on for the lowdown on the different options available on the Go City Hong Kong pass…

Ngong Ping 360: Cable Car and Village Experiences Pass

Po Lin Monastery

This one’s for all those who wish to experience the cable car ride plus Ngong Ping Village and its immediate surroundings. It includes free time to visit the Po Lin Monastery, Tian Tan Buddha and Wisdom Path, plus several interactive and immersive experiences.

Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha

Founded in 1906 by a trio of enterprising monks, this colorful temple houses three bronze statues of the Buddha, representing his past, present and future selves. Spectacular these may be, but you’ll find the main event nearby. Standing (or rather sitting) a whopping 112 feet tall, it ain’t for nothing that the Tian Tan Buddha is also known as ‘the Big Buddha’, and can be seen from far and wide around Lantau Island from its perch here high in the hills.

The Wisdom Path

This may or may not be the true path to enlightenment, but the Wisdom Path is well worth a stroll if you have the time. Thirty-eight soaring wooden columns, each inscribed with excerpts from the ancient Heart Sutra text, line this winding path that traverses the undulating hills of Ngong Ping.

Cable Car Discovery Center

Virtual reality experience in the Ngong Ping discovery center

Want to get right into the workings of these astonishing feats of engineering? You’re in luck: the Cable Car Discovery Center has a virtual reality zone that gives you access to otherwise restricted areas, plus the chance to drive a cable car yourself. There’s also a fascinating exhibition hall, featuring historical cable car components and a deep-dive into the huge project that led to the Ngong Ping 360.

Motion 360

This immersive theatrical experience is like none you’ve had before. Here’s your chance to soar high over the Big Buddha, swim with dolphins, and even take a space flight! Special 5D effects such as wind, vibrations and even splashing water bring the whole mesmerizing experience to life.

Ngong Ping Nature Center

Take a deep dive into the Lantau landscape. At the Ngong Ping Nature Center you can explore 3D models of the island’s mountain peaks and play interactive games to learn about the its diverse flora and fauna.

Discover more about Go City’s Ngong Ping 360 cable car and village highlights package, and purchase your pass here.

Ngong Ping 360: Cable Car and Tai O Pass

Tai O Village on Lantau Island

Go City’s Tai O tour package includes your return cable car ride on the Ngong Ping 360, plus free time to explore the attractions of Ngong Ping Village, and a trip to the traditional fishing village of Tai O. Note, however, that entry to the Cable Car Discovery Center and Motion 360 experience are not included with this experience, and cost extra.

Tai O Fishing Village

Tai O is one of the oldest fishing villages in Hong Kong, with evidence of settlements that date back as far as the Stone Age. A jumble of colorful stores and stilt houses cluster around the tranquil inlet where the local fishermen ply their ancient trade. Your experience includes a round-trip by coach from Ngong Ping Village, plus a short boat excursion, a fine opportunity to nab those Insta-perfect Tai O snaps from the water.

Also included is a snack voucher worth HK$20, redeemable at a number of the village’s food outlets, which run the gamut from classic Hong Kong cuisine to sushi, pizza and kebabs. You’ll also get a 10% discount at the Ngong Ping 360 gift shop.

All images courtesy of Ngong Ping 360.

Discover more about Go City’s Ngong Ping 360 cable car and Tai O package, and purchase your pass here. Or hit the buttons below for more information on the various pass options available.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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