Home to a number of popular hiking routes, Lantau Island offers visitors tons of ways to explore the scenic countryside of Hong Kong. The hiking route recommended below takes you to the famous Wisdom Path in Ngong Ping. It may be three hours long, but it’s an easy one with relatively flat terrains, making this hike a family-friendly one.
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
Suggested Route: 1. Ngong Ping 360 (Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal) > 2. Ngong Ping Village > 3. Ngong Ping Fun Walk and Ngong Ping Tree Walk > 4. Wisdom Path
Highlights: Board the cable car towards Ngong Ping. Once there, pass through Ngong Ping Village and hike towards the Ngong Ping Fun Walk and Tree Walk to finally reach the Wisdom Path. This is a beginner’s level excursion fit for families. As you hike through the Ngong Ping Fun Walk and Tree Walk and get your steps in, look for the various types of native trees and plants to turn this into an educational journey!
Board the Cable Car to Admire Lantau’s Rolling Mountains
If you’re all for great views and fun experiences, a cable car ride from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping is definitely the way to go. Board the cable car at the Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung Cable Car Terminus, and you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the Lantau North Country Park and the surrounding area of the Hong Kong International Airport. As the cable car silently flies through the mountains, you’ll come across the famous Big Buddha and the grassy plateau of Ngong Ping. This 25-minute ride takes you effortlessly to Ngong Ping.
The fully transparent “Crystal+” cabin gives you unobstructed views of Lantau Island.
The Quaint Ngong Ping Village
Step off the cable car to find yourself in the Ngong Ping Village. The design of the village is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and courtyards with a number of shops and eateries on both sides. We recommend grabbing a quick bite here or stocking up for your hike later.
Feeling munchy when you’re in the Ngong Ping Village? There are plenty of local snacks you can sample here.
Connect with Nature and Train the Body and Mind
Mountain Girl HK, the author of the book “#HikingJournal – 100 Hiking Routes in Hong Kong”, says that with its expansive seascape and fewer tall buildings, the scenery in Lantau Island brings people much closer to nature than that in Hong Kong, Kowloon or the New Territories, “It feels like I’m on vacation whenever I’m in Lantau!”
We spoke with Mountain Girl HK, a hiking enthusiast, who says she started hiking 10 years ago, and it has since become an irreplaceable part of her life. Having trekked through all sorts of mountain trails in Hong Kong, she explains that hiking in Lantau in particular has allowed her to witness the transformation and development of Hong Kong. Among the highlights were seeing the development of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the expansion of the Hong Kong International Airport.
The past 10 years of hiking, she says, has given her so much in life, “It has really strengthened my level of endurance and perseverance!” When the trail gets tough, she says it’s normal to think about quitting. But every time, she just bites the bullet and presses on. Eventually, this perseverance becomes part of her personality, allowing her to complete all sorts of difficult tasks at work and in life.
Another gift that hiking has given her is that she’s also learnt to live at a slower pace and be more appreciative of the tiny details in life. Observing her surroundings when hiking, she says, often allows her to momentarily take her mind off Hong Kong’s bustling lifestyle and connect with nature. She believes that hiking is a great way to relax the body and mind.
Discover Nature’s Wonders at Ngong Ping Fun Walk
Go through Ngong Ping Village’s arch and walk along Ngong Ping Road. After passing the iconic Big Buddha, follow the signage that says “Wisdom Path". Walk for another 5 minutes or so and you’ll reach the Ngong Ping Fun Walk, a circular trail ahead of the Wisdom Path.
The Ngong Ping Fun Walk is about 2.5km long. This circular path has a fork at the entrance. To the left you’ll come to a sign that loosely translates to “The Fun Tree Walk”. This marks the beginning of the Ngong Ping Fun Walk.
The first stop of the hike is the Tree Walk section of the Ngong Ping Fun Walk.
The Tree Walk is a shaded and relatively flat and easy trail of about 350 metres. You might be interested to know that there are as many as 20 native tree species growing along the trail. It’s a great place to brush up on your tree knowledge while connecting with nature.
Tips: The Ngong Ping Nature Centre in the Ngong Ping Village offers guided tours that cover the Tree Walk. To join, simply make an online reservation before your journey.
The Tree Walk is a great place for families to learn about Hong Kong’s native tree species.
Take a Walk Around the Wisdom Path
After exiting the Tree Walk, keep going for another 10 metres and you’ll arrive at the Wisdom Path. The Wisdom Path consists of 38 giant timber columns arranged to correspond to the natural topography of the site, and in a figure-of-eight configuration (the symbol of infinity "∞") symbolising infinity in life and the universe. Each column is carved with the calligraphy of verses of the Heart Sutra by Professor Jao Tsung I, a master in the study of Chinese culture.
This large-scale wood inscription display stands majestically against the mountain, continually inspiring visitors with its impressive scale and grandeur while bringing a sense of serenity to the mind.
The Wisdom Path is the world’s largest outdoor wood inscription that features Buddhist sutra.
Take a stroll around the Wisdom Path, admire its magnificence, the calligraphy art and the stunning ocean views. Soon you’ll find yourself feeling calm and refreshed. To return, simply take the same route back to the Ngong Ping Village.
It’s never too late for some last-minute shopping in the Ngong Ping Village before you leave.
An Easy Hike to Immerse in Nature
Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride to enjoy the scenery, hike through the mountains and explore the Ngong Ping Fun Walk amidst nature, before finally arriving at the spectacular Wisdom Path. An easy and relative flat hiking route that not only relaxes the body and mind, but also trains one’s endurance. There’s hardly a better family nature excursion in Hong Kong!
How to Get to Ngong Ping:
1. Take the Ngong Ping 360 ride from the Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal; or
2. Take bus 23 from the Tung Chung Bus Terminus to the Ngong Ping Village
