Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Sunday 26th September, 2010
Cheung Sha Beach – Tai O Village – Po Lin Monastery – Ngong Ping (Giant Buddha) – Ngong Ping Cable Car – Lunch (Novotel Citygate) – Citygate Outlets Mall
| 8.30 |
Pick up from Regal Airport Hotel (Meet at Ground Floor Lobby). All guests should start gathering at 8:00am. |
| 8:45 |
Pick up from Marriot Sky City Hotel (Meet at Ground Floor Lobby). All guests should gather at 8:00am. |
| 9:00 |
Depart from the hotels by air-conditioned coach to Cheung Sha Beach - Cheung Sha Wan (長沙灣) on the south coast of Lantau Island. This beach is one of Hong Kong's longest beaches - stretching for 2km from east to west, though almost split into two by a tiny headland.
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| 10:00 |
The coach continues along the winding road to the authentic fishing village of Tai O – also known as the "Venice of Hong Kong". Tai O is also a popular tourist spot for both foreigners and residents of other parts of Hong Kong and is famous for its salted fish, shrimp paste and traditional storefronts.
Permanent human settlement here is three centuries old. Stories that would be impossible to substantiate have Tai O as the base of many smuggling and piracy operations, the inlets of the river providing excellent protection from the weather and a hiding place.
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| 11.15 |
The tour then works its way uphill to the Po Lin Monastery 寶蓮禪寺, Literally "Precious Lotus Zen Temple", a Buddhist monastery, located on Ngong Ping Plateau.
The monastery was founded in 1906 by three monks visiting from Jiangsu and was initially known as "The Big Hut". It was renamed to its present name in 1924. The main temple houses 3 bronze statues of the Buddha representing his past, present and future lives as well as many Buddhist scriptures.
Tian Tan Buddha, a giant Buddha statue completed in 1993, is an extension of the monastery.
The Ngong Ping 360, consisting of the Ngong Ping village and a gondola lift running between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, was built near to the Po Lin Monastery.
This Monastery is also famous for making wooden bracelets that are only sold near the Tian Tan Buddha statue.
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| 12:20 |
After a short stroll from the monastery, you can get on Ngong Ping Cable Car and experience the 25-minute ride on a 5.7km bi-cable ropeway overlooking the South China Sea and the bustling Hong Kong International Airport. The cable ride ends at Tung Chung Terminal near Novotel Citygate Hotel where you will be having lunch.
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| 13:00 |
Relax and enjoy a sumptuous international buffet lunch at Novotel Citygate Hotel.
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| 14:00 |
After lunch you will have free time for exploring the first and only outlet mall in Hong Kong. Citygate Outlets is home to more than 80 international brands offering yearly discount of at least 30% to 70% on designer fashion, sports, beauty, accessories, children’s wear, and home items.
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| 15:30 |
Board coaches and back to Regal Airport and Marriott Sky City Hotels |
| 15:45 |
Arrive back at hotels |