Toronto – As I am watching the Beijing Olympics, it makes me realize how much I miss being in Hong Kong, being surrounded by my fellow chinamen, as we compete and scam our way to the top of the world. Of course, when the Olympics are over, us Hong Kong types go back to making backhanded remarks about how unsophisticated and rude the mainlanders are, and pondering why they keep on moving into our city. But, for now, we are one. With that in mind, let me continue my sporadic never-ending set of articles reviewing some of Hong Kong’s top attractions, further cementing the fact that Hong Kong is one of the best places to visit on Earth.
This time I will review the Ngong Ping area.
First off, get to the Tung Chung Subway station. It’s on the airport line, hard to miss. HK transit has English and Chinese. Once you get their, you take a bus to Tai O.
Tai O is an old school fishing town. If you get dizzy on bus rides, take a few pills because the 40 minute bus ride to Tai O consists of going up and down mountains, twists and swerves and the the bus driver goes full speed. It’s not for chumps, but it’s fun. In a deadly game of chicken kind of way. Anyways, when you arrive, you will see how fishing life is. There’s lots of people selling fish everywhere, and people will want to sell you trips to go see the White Dolphins that hang out in the area. Do that. Then maybe settle in some restaurant for some seafood. Then stroll around town and feel blessed that you didn’t grow up in ghetto-ass fish town.
After taking it all in, take the bus to the Buddha, otherwise known as Ngong Ping village
Here is the picture of the Buddha, on a cloudy day:
Okay, it’s not that big, if you want more pictures of it, hit up this wikipedia article here. For those who don’t like clicking on links, let me hit you up with some deets on this thing. What is it? It is the World’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. It’s also on a f’n mountain man. That is kickass. All you zen-like vegan freaks, this is your god, bow down and observe its greatness. How tall is it? 34 meters and it’s so high up, it can be seen from Macau on a sunny day. Obviously, when I went it wasn’t clear day. Actually, I am kind of glad because I didn’t have to climb up the 8000 flights of stairs or whatever it is to get to the base of the Buddha. I have been here before though, so it’s not big deal, but it’s a must visit for tourists. There’s also a monastery and Tea Garden. Starbucks too.
When you are done there, you are ready to go on the main event, the show stopper. The Ngong Ping cable car ride. What is it? MAaaaaaaaaaan it is a 5.7 km gondola lift system that takes you from the Tung Chung subway station to Ngong Ping (and vice versa), which is on top of a mountain and contains the famous Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha. For those who fear heights, well it doesn’t go fast and the view is spectacular. You won’t get more bang for your buck for 10$ CAD. It’s about 1/2 hours and here are some pictures, that’s all I can say to describe it.
Once you get to the subway station, you can go to the attached outlet mall, and buy some sneakers. K-Swiss outlet shop..holla.
But yea, if you are going to HK, this is a must visit, along with Ocean Park. Here is a video
5/5
Here is your reward for reading my article.