Lantau Trail

uturnshari
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
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Editor Pick

Lantau Trail

  • July 26, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by nmagann from Ventura, California
Lantau Trail

At the base of the Big Buddha are signs indicating the direction to the Wisdom Path trail and Lantau Peak.

A shaded walkway passing a small vegetarian restaurant that was unfortunately was closed, leads to the Wisdom Path. The path follows is a figure 8, sign of infinity, around tall tree trunks that were split vertically split. On the flat sign of these totem-pole-like pillars were carvings of Chinese symbols and characters. Also called the Heart Sutra, it represents emptiness, but not in the negative way that comes to mind. It is more like the feeling of being free of worldly concerns and material items.

This 2-minute path located on the side of the mountain offered spectacular views of Lantau Peak as well as the aqua blue bay below. This lush area is a haven for dragonflies, butterflies, and birds. Lizards, frogs, and fish make their home within the freshwater streams along the way.

The path continues on to Lantau Peak where a view of the airport, skyline, and outer islands limited only by weather conditions. Nonetheless, it is a breathtaking break from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island. Although Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island is the highest point, Lantau Peak is the highest you can climb. The heat and humidity made me the perfect international cuisine of gnats and mosquitoes. A sign warning of Japanese mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus elicited a roll of the eyes and smirk from me. Was I expected to see and be able identify what bit me? Besides, the layers of skin I was scratching off from the bitten area surely went deep enough to include any venom.

TEMPLE 40 MINUTES:

Lo Hon Temple was built as recently as 1974, but Buddhism has been practiced in this grotto since 1926. It is open from 8-4pm.

FORT 30 MINUTES:

Originally built to quell the opium trade, the Tung Chung Fort became a monument in 1979. In 1988 the granite wall and watch tower were repaired and restored. The compound contains six old cannons and covers a 70x80 meter area with splendid views of north Lantau.

TUNG CHUNG TOWN:

Following the bus route, you arrive at Tung Chung Town Center where you can visit restaurants and shops. From here, you can take the MTR back to Kowloon or Hong Kong. Unlike other destinations, this town really lacks any signs to sights or transportation and I left on the MTR rather quickly after getting lost for half an hour.

A cable car from Tung Chung to the monastery was supposed to open June 22, then June 26 so I postponed my hike a couple of days to get in on the grand opening. Unfortunately the dry runs indicated spacing problems between cars and a couple of other problems. It certainly looks like the view from above would be worth it. One-way tickets, round trips and packages including the Big Buddha and vegetarian meal were already being offered online.

From journal HK Culture & Classics

Lantau Trail

  • March 4, 2003
  • Rated 3 of 5 by uturnshari from Springfield, Massachusetts
There are several hiking trails on Lantau Island. The Lantau trail is 70 km and you can do it in sections. I only did a section, but if I had time I would like to have done it all. One hike we did was on Discovery Bay to Mui Wo. The trail is on paved cement, and you pass some "homes" of the people. You feel like you are walking through their houses because they are practically on the trail. I was told that we might see oxen, but we did not. We did see signs that they had been there recently. We got to Mui Wo and had lunch at China Bear, an outside cafe. There is always a McDonalds if nothing else. We took around the village there. There are small stores and it looks like the majority of old folk sit and have Mahjong parties.

The other hike we did was from Ngong Ping, starting at the Po Ling Monastery where the world's largest outside Buddha sits. The bus drops off right there. We walked by the youth hostel, which we checked out. It was very clean but far away from everything. You have to pay extra if you want to use it during the day. The Lantau trails goes right by it. We hiked up to Lantau Peak. It was steps most of the way and it was steep. Before the fog moved in, we were able to see the Buddha from the trail. I am sure you would be able to see it from the Lantau Peak, which is the highest on Lantau. You can continue on and take a bus back, but we just hiked down the way we came so that we could hike up to the Buddha.

From journal Mini trip in Hong Kong

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