The Climb to Big Buddha

Today was hands down our craziest day in HK.

We’ve been itching to go hiking and exploring in new parts of HK, so with some research, I suggested a hike from Tung Chung, in Lantau Island, to the Big Buddha.

Of course, what I expected to be a straightforward three-hour hike turned into much more.

You see, since the Big Buddha, one of the most popular tourist attractions in HK, is in the mountains, hiking there from civilization requires going up mountains. Many of them.

Normally, tourists take either the popular Ngong Ping 360* cable car or a bus. But we went hardcore.

It was a tough journey, but so unbelievably satisfying at the end. I still can’t believe we made it through the ascent, but we did it in 2.5 hours.

I’m so tired right now, both mentally and physically, so I’ll leave you with our journey, through pictures (lots of them!) and captions.

Enjoy!

A post-cycling, pre-hiking matcha bubble tea

So it began

In Tung Chung, where there was obviously a giant mall

And many high-rise apartments

How the locals save electricity

A bay, right before we got miserably lost

Until this kind biker (and speedy walker) showed us the way

Past a small monastery

To the base of the mountain—part 1 of our journey took us to the peak

Over a river

And through the woods

To the Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail

And our rude awakening—unrelenting steps…

Pretty daisies—before I was too tired to notice anything but the burn in my legs

We thought we were high—we had no idea

Right underneath the cable cars—how the smart lazy people traveled

Looking down is not for the faint of heart—it’s a long way…

So glad to finally go down steps

A change of scenery

Watching planes take off from HK Int’l Airport is great during rest breaks

I thought we just climbed steep trails…?

But evidently they weren’t steep enough

Steep, like climbing a ladder…

The final (and most painful) set of stairs

And yet there is so much more to go

We found some docile wild dogs

And envied their relaxed and carefree lives

Glaring at the sweat-less cable car riders, as they marveled at our stupidity brawn

Over the hill—we finally spotted Big Buddha, can you?

A zoomed in shot of hope on the horizon

As we prayed to arrive before sunset

Arrival at Ngong Ping—after 30 minutes of grateful downhill walking

A touristy town—overtaken by the cable car line

We are so close!

At the gate

Po Lin Monastery

The final hurrah!—our very last set of stairs for the day, right before closing time

Tired but awestruck

Pride, obviously

A big welcome

Winding stone pathways

Big red

Complete serenity and calm at the top—overlooking the ocean

Sunset

Pops of springtime color, on Easter Sunday

Wesley’s new friend—shy and reserved

Until another friend comes along

Walking together in the sunset

Heaven—after a long day of hiking

Too many options, but carbs are always a good choice

The essential condiments

Wesley—Thai beef chili, rice, fried egg

Liv—wontons and egg noodle, spicy

Bedtime, now.