Hong Kong Too Crowded For Your Comfort? Explore Lantau Island On The Same Visa!

Say goodbye to the mad rush and hello to the island of Lantau. Lantau is where Hong Kong's international airport is located, and this makes it very convenient for one to visit without changing more than a couple of modes of transport. Even if you are only transiting through HK, you can do a neat little vacation without the hassle of a visa on the Indian passport. Follow my 2-day itinerary for Lantau Island, and forget about spending long (layover) hours staring at duty-free shops at the airport.

Before You Leave India...

Indians need to complete a pre-arrival registration (which is free!!! :-) ) before they enter Hong Kong and present the printout to the immigration officer. If all goes well, you will be given an entry permit note mentioning the date until which you can stay in the country (14 days max for the single entry visa-free scheme). Once you step out, catch the S1 bus to Tung Chung Station. This is where the exciting part starts!

Take The Ropeway To Ngong Ping Village

Hong Kong enjoys its best climate in the winters (Dec to Feb). The summers can be a bit muggy, and the rainy season gets stormy. Still, ensure you have a raincoat as the Lantau Island is hilly and it can rain when you least expect. The area is also quite windy, and it helps to carry a warm jacket. These winds can make umbrellas pretty much useless, so you are better off wearing a raincoat/rain-poncho. The area is pedestrian-friendly and that means you'll need a comfortable pair of shoes to do a lot of walking, hiking and climbing (steps).

The cable care ride is a 25-minute one which takes you to the Ngong Ping village. The village is organized into 3 sections along a walkway - the Village Square, the Bodhi Path and the Country Market. The village square is full of restaurants on either side of the walkway that serve local delicacies. My personal recommendation is to indulge in some tea-tasting before beginning your tour. Their delicious Chinese teas come in a variety of flower-based ones infused with honey and exotic berries (such as wolfberry).

Buy Some Elegant Chopsticks

The country market at Ngong Ping village has plenty of trinkets for shopaholics. Whether you pick up teacups or fridge magnets to take back home, you'll be pleased with the options you find here. An interesting store is the Chopstick Gallery, which has hundreds of intricately designed chopsticks on display for buyers and window-shoppers alike.

If you have the energy to climb hundreds of steps, visit the ginormous bronze statue of the Tian Tan Buddha.

On your way back from the Buddha statue in the evening, explore the Po Lin Monastery and inhale the perfume of the lit incense sticks wafting in the air. You would be exhausted by this time, and it would bode well for you to head to your hotel and rest well for another power-packed day.

You can choose from one of two things to do on day-2. If you have little children with you, head to Disney Land (the newest one in the world). If you are a thrill seeker (as I am), do a couple of hikes.

When you are back to the base, relax at one of the cafes in the Village Square and sample Hong Kong's local cuisine. There is no dearth of soups, noodles and greens on their menus (along with meat, of course).