Hong Kong

The trip ended with a few days in Hong Kong. One of the places we visited was Ngong Ping.

We took the cable car up from Tung Chung. The cable car was previously simply called the “Tung Chung Cable Car” or “Skyrail”, but now it has the confusing name of “Ngong Ping 360”.

At the top is a street of shops and restaurants. It is all very clean and new.

Something more old is the big Buddha statue.

According to the Lonely Planet guidebook, this is the largest outdoor sitting bronze Buddha statue in the world. It says there are larger statues that are not outdoor; larger ones that are not sitting; and larger ones that are not made of bronze. But putting those features together, this is the largest.

Despite Hong Kong’s image as a built up city, there are many hiking trails in and around Hong Kong. Though much of it goes through de-forested countryside.

One of the walks was called the Wisdom Trail. This is one of the wise saying we saw along the way.

These other wise sayings look more impressive.

Wise sayings set amongst the Hong Kong mountains of Lantau Island.

At Ngong Ping there is also the Po Lin Monastery.

The monastery has a lovely tree covered garden.

Return journey by cable car.

The cable car passes over a waterfall.

There is a great view of the Hong Kong airport from the cable car. The Hong Kong airport is built entirely upon reclaimed land… this reminds me of Gibraltar.

The Crystal cars have glass floors. Great views, as long as you are not afraid of heights.