Hong Kong: Ngong Ping 360

In our travel agency's itinerary, our Day 1 is a free day so I made our own before leaving Manila. We were supposed to go to Nan Li Garden but due to our delayed guide, we have to proceed to my last minute next plan, which is the Ngong Ping 360.

Right after being dropped off on our hotel, we had our brunch from one of the eateries located adjacent to our hotel. We got some pork stew, a big bowl of wanton noodle soup and a handful servings of rice.

After having our brunch, we went to Tin Hau Temple, which is one block from our hotel before going to Ngong Ping 360. We didn't enter even though its free but just took a peek from its entrance.

Three to five minutes walk from our hotel, we hopped in the MTR Yau Ma Tei station going to Tung Sung station, where the cable car ride going to Ngong Ping 360 is located.

Right after the exit, you will also be passing by the City Gate Outlet Mall, where branded items are on sale or at their factory dropped prices. There's also a connecting bridge going to another mall which is right across the highway.

A condominium with some commercial stores/shops near the open area and the fountain.

This is one of their public swimming pools, which I wish we had some here in our country, with an outdoor and an indoor pool but because of the winter season, the outdoor pool is not accessible until summer season.

The queue could really get very daunting if you choose to line up for the cable car going to Ngong Ping 360, even on weekdays where tourists from all parts of the world never stop coming.

The cable car ride is not just an ordinary long straight line but built with some curves on a mountain going to the other part of the island.

At last, we already reached the end of the line where more or less 15 counters were readily open to serve us. We were also advised that we might not see anything from the ride since the weather today is foggy.

We just rode the standard cabin worth 125 HKD per person but you may also opt for the bus ride if you are afraid of the heights which is only 27 HKD per person, cheaper but the downside is that the travel time is longer than the cable car. It's not recommendable to ride the crystal clear cabin if its raining or foggy because it just forfeit its purpose.

The Ngong Ping 360 cable car was the longest cable car I had ever experienced, too bad that it was foggy and all we could see after passing by the sea was everything white. It was like we are travelling in a time machine where afterwards you'll be on another place after the white effects.

Upon reaching the other side of the cable car, a souvenir shop was strategically place before you go out to the Ngong Ping Village. Pictures taken before the cable car doors close would be available for 100 HKD each. You may also buy them through a key chain, tumbler and a snow globe.

It was really colder up here, drizzling while the wind was just strong enough to destroy your umbrella. No wonder people here don't use their umbrella instead they used or buy some raincoats from the stores.

Shops and restaurants that you will be passing by before reaching the huge Buddha. Because we were really feeling cold during and after the cable car ride, we bought some hot beverage from Starbucks, which was really crowded because of its narrow store.

You may also want to go through the Monkey's Tale Theatre with a minimum fee, which features stories from a Buddhist, set in a magical courtyard under the branches of a majestic Bodhi Tree.

Before reaching this welcome arch, cable car cabins from 8 countries were displayed along the walkway making it the first ever international cable car cabin gallery.

I don't know what is written on this arch but was fascinated by its effect on a foggy setting.

Dogs were everywhere beyond this point and I mean huge dogs. They were like guarding the place or maybe blame it to the stores offering street foods on the side.

This walkway is guarded by metal statues representing the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and I bet you'll be looking for your zodiac.

At the end of the zodiac statues, you'll be already reaching the hundred plus stairway going to the Big Buddha.

It was really so tiring going up but the Tian Tan Buddha itself was really amazing because of its humongous size. You may also be interested in reading its history and how it was built up here when you go beneath it where charms and crystals were also for sale. I don't know but it was like there's a crematorium there too.

It took us a while to take this photo because it was like hiding on the fog when we reached the top. Some other metal statues were also surrounding this Buddha making offerings to him.

It was like the snow is the only missing piece for this awesome cold view.

This a huge plaza connecting the Tian Tan Buddha to the Po Lin Monastery.

I didn't know that there's a really huge incense until I saw one being prepared by a family at the entrance of the Po Lin Monastery.

The Po Lin Monastery was really divine looking. It was like a palace where the kings and queens lived before plus it was beautified by the numerous flowering pots and plants.

This is only a part of the Ngong Ping 360 experience, you could still explore the out lands of the Lantau island by going to the Wisdom Path and the Fishing Village. c",)