Hong Kong
Lantau Island
Hong Kong's largest island, with mountain trails, a giant Buddha and a fishing village. Stay 1 day. This guide pulls together 3 sights, 1 activity and 3 outdoor spots from our curated routes.
- Places
- 9
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Oct – Dec
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- June
3 See · 1 Do · 3 Outdoors · 1 Eat · 1 Drink
Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau
from our route notes
29°C / 84°F avg high
18°C / 64°F avg high
about 288 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Lantau Island
9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
3 sights worth building a day around across Ngong Ping and Tai O. 2 of them are free.
- See
Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)
Bronze Buddha 34 meters tall, reached by 268 steps.
Tip Clouds roll in by afternoon; go early for clear views.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Enochlau assumed (based on copyright claims · CC BY-SA 3.0SeePo Lin Monastery
Active monastery with colorful halls opposite the Big Buddha.
Tip Buy a vegetarian lunch ticket at the Buddha base.
Photo: 樂luck see · GoogleSeeTai O Fishing Village
Stilt houses over tidal creeks, dried seafood stalls and short boat trips.
Tip Boat rides sometimes spot pink dolphins offshore.
Do
1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Tung Chung.
Photo: T dack I'm-heart · GoogleDoNgong Ping 360
Cable car from Tung Chung over the bay and hills to Ngong Ping plateau.
Tip Crystal cabins have glass floors and shorter lines.
Outdoors
3 outdoor spots for fresh air across Ngong Ping and South Lantau. All 3 are free to visit.
Photo: frankeyleung · GoogleOutdoorsNei Lak Shan Country Trail
Easy loop trail on the slopes above Ngong Ping with views over the Big Buddha, the airport and the South China Sea.
Tip Start from Ngong Ping village; the north side has the best airport views.
Photo: Francis Cheung · GoogleOutdoorsLantau Peak (Fung Wong Shan)
Hong Kong's second-highest peak, a steep climb with sweeping sea views.
Tip Sunrise hikes start from Pak Kung Au around 4am.
Photo: WiNG · CC BY 3.0OutdoorsCheung Sha Beach
Long sandy beach on Lantau's south coast with lifeguards in summer.
Tip Bus from Tung Chung or Mui Wo stops along South Lantau Road.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Lantau Island in Ngong Ping.
Photo: Tal Mihalevski · Google
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Lantau Island in Mui Wo.
Photo: Platinum Guide · GoogleDrinkChina Bear
Long-running pub on the Mui Wo waterfront with outdoor tables facing the bay and the ferry pier.
Tip Grab a pint while you wait for the Central ferry; the pier is steps away.
How to fit Lantau Island into a trip
Lantau Island is stop 2 of 3 on our Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route. Follow it as-is or lift Lantau Island into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 3
Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau
Harbor views, island hikes and Portuguese lanes
- Trip length
- 6 days
- Best season
- Oct – Dec
- Pace
- easy
- Before: Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
- Next: Macau
Getting here and onward
- Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to Lantau IslandHong Kong Island and Kowloon is about 23 km / 14 mi away in a straight line
- Lantau Island to MacauMacau is about 41 km / 26 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Lantau Island month by month
Average daily highs run from 18°C / 64°F in January to 29°C / 84°F in August. June is the wettest month, with about 288 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan18° / 64°F average high
- Feb19° / 67°F average high
- Mar21° / 71°F average high
- Apr24° / 76°F average high
- May27° / 81°F average high
- Jun28° / 83°F average high
- Jul29° / 84°F average high
- Aug29° / 84°F average high
- Sep29° / 83°F average high
- Oct27° / 80°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov24° / 75°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec19° / 67°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Lantau Island weather and the best time to visit →
Near Lantau Island
2 other destinations from our guides within about 50 km (31 mi), measured in a straight line.
Lantau Island questions, answered
How many days do you need in Lantau Island?
Our route notes suggest 1 day in Lantau Island. On our Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 14 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Lantau Island best known for?
Hong Kong's largest island, with mountain trails, a giant Buddha and a fishing village. Stay 1 day. Standouts on our list: Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) (Bronze Buddha 34 meters tall, reached by 268 steps); Po Lin Monastery (Active monastery with colorful halls opposite the Big Buddha); Tai O Fishing Village (Stilt houses over tidal creeks, dried seafood stalls and short boat trips).
When is the best time to visit Lantau Island?
Our Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route is best Oct – Dec. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (29°C / 84°F), the coolest in January (18°C / 64°F) and the most rain in June (about 288 mm).
What are the best things to do in Lantau Island?
Start with Ngong Ping 360, Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha), Po Lin Monastery, Nei Lak Shan Country Trail and Lantau Peak (Fung Wong Shan). Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 3 sights, 1 activity, 3 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 bar or café.
What is near Lantau Island?
The closest destinations in our guides are Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (about 23 km / 14 mi) and Macau (about 41 km / 26 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Lantau Island with your crew
Open the Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.