Guide of Ngong Ping Piazza (Lantau Island) – Highlights, what to see, insider tips

Ngong Ping Piazza is a small plaza on the heart of Lantau Island. It stands in-between of Ngong Ping Village, the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. Wisdom Path is also in the close vicinity.

With an area of about 1.5 hectares, Ngong Ping Piazza blends seamlessly with many religious attractions and basically consists of four major components: New Pai Lau, Bodhi Path, Di Tan and a Chinese garden.

Besides the piazza, there are many other attractions, such as viewing platforms, hiking trail, fishing village and beach resorts on Lantau Island. Check out how to arrange the itinerary and insider tips.

What is Ngong Ping Piazza and what to see?

It was officially opened on 2nd of August, 2010. Strictly speaking, it is not a real attraction. It can be regarded as the link to all the nearby attraction, such as the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping Village as well as the Wisdom Path.

For most visitors the priority to Lantau Island is the Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) and Po Lin Monastery. Taking Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is undoubtedly the most selected method for getting up to Ngong Ping. In case you also prefer the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, remember to get the ticket discount with designated lane in advance to avoid crowds and shorten waiting time.

After exit Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, just walk on the way through Ngong Ping Village to Big Buddha. Then you will pass a paved path with many stone statues and lotus-shaped lanterns on both sides. This is the Ngong Ping Piazza.

• New Pai Lau on the entrance

  Right at the entrance of the piazza you will notice the big gateway or in Cantonese called “Pai Lau” which some may associate and/or characterize with tranquility and solemnity.

  

  New Pai Lau

  Take a close look you will notice architectural influences and elements from the Qing Dynasty. The design of Pai Lau is to match the style of another Pai Lau at the entrance of the Po Lin Monastery.

  

  Pai Lau of Po Lin Monastery

• Bodhi Path

  The Pai Lau will lead you to the 120-meter long “Bodhi Path”. Along the Bodhi Path there are 12 warrior-look statues with various weapons in hand and 40 lotus-shaped stone lanterns.

  

  Bodhi Path

  The statues represent the “12 Divine Generals”, who are regarded as protectors and represent an important component in Buddhism. The 12 divine generals represent one of the Chinese zodiac signs. Each general is responsible to guard a two-hour section of the day. You can figure out which zodiac they represent from the top of their crown and the descriptions at the foot of statues.

  

  Bodhi Path with 12 divine generals standing on both sides

  

  Divine Generals along Bodhi Path

  

  General of Snake with a staff (left) and General of Horse with a shell (right)

• Di Tan (The Alter of Earth)

  At the end of the Bodhi Path are the four lotus ponds (Di Tan) which is basically the piazza’s center and one of the venues of religious ceremonies held by the Po Lin Monastery.

  

  Di Tan

  

  Di Tan, Tian Tan and the Buddha statue are on the central axie

  

  Stairs of Big Buddha lead to Di Tan

  The Big Buddha is above a similar structure called “Tian Tan”, which means the Alter of Heaven.

Last but not least, there is also a Chinese garden.

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When is the best time and worst time to visit Ngong Ping Piazza?

Since Ngong Ping is high on the top of mountains, the visibility is highly weather dependent. Do pick a good weather for the visit. When on the raining or foggy day, the visibility will turn so bad even to zero.

The visibility of Bodhi Path can also get very bad in the foggy or rainy days.

If you have already noticed weather is worsening before heading to Tung Chung, cancelling or changing the plan is recommended, or you may get very disappointed. There are lots of other things tourists can do during the rainy days in Hong Kong.

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Ticket price and opening hours of Ngong Ping Piazza

Access to the Ngong Ping Piazza is free of charge.

The opening hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Mon – Sun and public holidays).

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How to get to Ngong Ping Piazza on Lantau Island?

Ngong Ping Piazza is right next the Big Buddha and Ngong Ping Village. You can travel to Tung Chung Town Center first and then transfer to either Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car (25-minute ride), bus (50 minutes) or taxi (40 minutes) from Tung Chung Town Center to the piazza.

Alternatively, visitors can also travel from Central by ferry to Mui O then transfer by bus to Ngong Ping.

For saving time and upgrading your travel experience, the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is highly recommended. You can enjoy the amazing panoramic views on board during the 25-minute ride. Get a ticket in advance with designated lane if possible.

For more step-by-step details about how to get to Ngong Ping Piazza, please refer to more details on how to get to the Big Buddha.

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Map and Locations of Ngong Ping Piazza and surrounding attractions: