About the Largest Island in Hong Kong
The largest out of 235 islands spread around Hong Kong is Lantau Island. Lantau is located about a half hour boat ride, and about 10 kilometers west of Hong Kong Island.
Lantau Island is located at the mouth of the Pearl River. It is about 147 square kilometers large, twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Lantau Island is the largest island out of the 235 islands scattered around Hong Kong. Lantau is mostly made up of villages, with a small population.
The most popular attraction on the island is the Big Buddha, which is the largest in Asia, and the largest of its kind in the world. Most of the park is conservation and National Park land. There are wonderful hiking trails, places to lay down on the beach and wander around the picturesque fishing villages.
At the end of the 1990's, with Hong Kong going back under Chinese power, the modern Chek Lap Kok airport began operating here. Since then, underground tunnels and wonderful bridges have been built that connect Lantau to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
What is on the Island?
Among the popular sites on the island, you will find the village of Tai O, the Buddhist Po Lin Monastery, Tung Chung village and Silvermine Bay. Also, Mui Wo beach on the east side of the island is great, without almost any tourists coming there. There is wonderful nature, peaceful villages, organic farms, and old viewpoints from the beginning of the 20th century.
At the northwest corner of the island is the Hong Kong airport, and Disneyland Hong Kong, the successful Disney amusement park.
The most famous and successful attraction on the island is without a doubt the Big Buddha, in Po Lin Monastery, where many tourists and Buddhists come from around the world to see. It is 34 meters tall, and weighs close to a fourth of a ton, and is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. At its footsteps is the Po Lin Monastery.
Tips
Mui Wo on the east side of the island is a wonderful nature area with waterfalls, looks of green and water, small villages that are not commercialized. Worth the trip for nature lovers!קישורים מצורפים:
