Spoiler: There is a really big buddha in this post!
So I had heard of the Big Buddha on Lantau Island and decided that since I had most of the day (until 2pm) I would go on an adventure. So I got up and asked the concierge for advice and headed off!
My journey began with a walk through Kowloon park (sadly the flamingo pond is being cleaned and the birds are elsewhere). I got on the MTR and headed for Lantau Island. It took about an hour for me to get to the end of the line.
From the subway I had a 5 minute walk to the cable car station. Yay! Cable cars! Editor’s Note: Mom, you can never go on these cable cars, sorry!
This is from the very begining, we will be going up over those hills
They do give you the option of paying more for a glass bottom car, but I was too cheap
Oh Hi Hong Kong International!
We started by the tall buildings on the right, and are only about 10 minutes into our 30 minute ride
So glad I didn't have to take the stairs!
First glimpse of the buddha as it came out from behind a hill
We are getting closer, ALMOST THERE!
Why, what a cute little traditional Chinese village with the Starbucks and 7eleven and lots of tourist junk!
View of the Buddha from the village
Well, I must say I was warned about the stairs, but come on! Plus, Hong Kong is hot, have I mentioned that yet?
What cute Chinese art for me to take a picture of so that people don't realize I need to take a 5 minute break from these stairs!
Yup, still a long ways to go
Look! More Chinese art that just HAS to be photographed so I must stop the stair climining again.
Hey! Another great photo op that just can not be passed up!
I finally made it!
These are the buddha's friends
There is the sticks in bowl lady.
Box lady (my favorite)
plus Fancy bowl lady
Thank you very much
Lady with the plate of something
Lady with the flower and something in it???
Lady with the lotus
I think in the village there was a whole video presentation you could buy a ticket to, maybe next time I should do that and learn more about this!
From up by the buddha you can see the monestary.
You can see the beautiful hills
And I thought these trees were just beautiful
I then walked down from the Buddha and over to the Monestary
Hello friends! Welcome!
The detail work was amazing
It is all so overwhelming in its size and ornate detail!
My new friend, the temple guard dog
Inside
View of the buddha from inside the temple
Just a few of the many dragons defending the place
Thank you for coming, have a nice day
All of a sudden I got flashbacks to some Big Bird in Asia movie from my childhood where the stone dog statue comes alive and is Big Bird's new friend? Hmmmm....
Now nothing left to do but ride the cable car back down and head back!
This was an amazing adventure. I think if I remember right the stat is that this is the largest bronze buddha in the world? It was just so breathtaking. My only complaint is that I did not have more time. It opened at 10, which I got there shortly after, but you have to buy the ticket and ride the cable car, and in order to get back to the hotel by 2 it really only left me about 1 hour to see everything. I would definately put this on your must see list if you are visiting Hong Kong, but give yourself a full day to do it all. Also, I am glad I went durning the week because it is supposed to be busy on Sundays and it was nice not to have too many people around. Oh! and for the faint hearted (ie my Mother) there is a bus you can take too if you don’t want to ride the cable car!
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