Lantau Island, Hong Kong_30.12.2009

.....And we got to Chapter 3 - Lantau Island, my dear readers.
.....This time we leave the city behind and visit the biggest island in Hong Kong.

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.....Lantau Island is located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District, but a small part in the northeast of the island belongs to Tsuen Wan District. It has an area of 146.38 km². Originally the site of sleepy fishing villages, the island has in recent years been transformed with the development of several major infrastructure projects, including Hong Kong's new international airport, Ngong Ping 360 and Hong Kong Disneyland.

......Cable Car going up to the hill, to the Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. The ride takes about 20-25 minutes and from up there you can see the huge airport with planes landing and taking off every minute.

......New blocks of flats on Lantau Island. As tall as the ones in Hong Kong.

.....Hong Kong Airport

......Tian Tan Buddha also known as the Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue of the Buddha, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. The statue is located near Po Lin Monastery and symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion. It is a major center of Buddhism in Hong Kong, and is also a popular tourist attraction.

......The Buddha is 34 metres tall, weighs 250 tons and was the world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha. Visitors have to climb 268 steps in order to reach the Buddha, but for those who think it's enough to see him from the Monastery, there are plenty of Tea Houses around.

.....I forgot to smile.

.....A welcome sign

..... Map of Ngong Ping Village. It's more like a street with souvenir shops and restaurants than a village. There's nobody living there.

.....Po Lin Monastery ("Precious Lotus Zen Temple") is a Buddhist monastery, located on Ngong Ping Plateau, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.
.....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.
.....This Monastery is also famous for making wooden bracelets, that are only sold near the Tian Tan Buddha statue.

.....The main temple

......Big Buddha seen from the temple

.....The three buddhas inside Po Lin Monastery

..... The steps leading to Big Buddha

.....View from the top

..... Statues near the Big Buddha

..... Big Buddha

......There is also a Disneyland on this Island. But for me it wasn't a priority. Those who went there said they're still building it and it will be ready (as big as the ones in Paris or LA) in about 5 years. Well, I might go then.

.....End of Chapter 3.

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.....Next chapter - Ocean Park, Hong Kong

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