Dates visited: March 25, 2013
We visited the Ngong Ping village on Lantau Island to see Tian Tan Buddha (aka Big Buddha)—world’s tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha statue (112 ft tall). It was an exciting trip just getting to the statue. We took the glass-bottomed Ngong Ping Cable Car from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping; a 3.5 mile aerial ride across Tung Chung bay. It was windy so the cable car swayed quite a bit and having a see-through floor only added more excitement to the feeling of flying in the sky. The clouds seemed to waft in and out, and the view of Buddha suddenly appearing through the mist was a sight to remember. We climbed the 268 steps to get to the base of the statue. It was an indescribable feeling to see the serene giant statue peacefully smiling and welcoming your presence.
We also visited the nearby Po Lin Monastery. The temples were very nicely decorated. Surprisingly, even though there were lots of people, the ambience was still harmonious and tranquil.
- Ngong Ping Cable Cars taking passengers from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping
- We took the “crystal” Ngong Ping cable car that had a glass bottom… …almost as if there was no floor!
- Tian Tan Buddha sitting on a lotus throne
- Incense pot at Po Lin Monastery
- Two bodhisattvas making offerings to the Tian Tan Buddha
- Statue inside Po Lin Monastery
- Entrance to the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha
- Posing with General Kumbhira
- Exterior of Po Lin Monastery
- Bodhisattvas making offerings to the Tian Tan Buddha
- Praying in front of the incense pot
- Inside the Ngong Ping cable car
- Before climbing the 268 steps to see Tian Tan Buddha
- Close-up of Tian Tan Buddha (aka Big Buddha)
- Father-son moment with Tian Tan Buddha in the background
- The intricately detailed entrance to Po Lin Monastery
- This dragon means business
- Interior of Po Lin Monastery
- Beautiful statue of a bodhisattva
- Bronze statue of Buddha inside Po Lin Monastery