Lantau Island
Lantau is Hong Kong's largest island, and the place to go for mountain trails, a hilltop Buddha and a fishing village built on stilts.
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Lantau lies southwest of Hong Kong Island across open water, and most of it is hills, valleys and coastline. Hong Kong International Airport sits on reclaimed land off the north coast. Tung Chung, a planned new town beside the airport, is the island's main MTR stop and where the cable car starts. On the Ngong Ping plateau, the bronze Tian Tan Buddha sits beside Po Lin Monastery, reached by cable car or bus. Tai O, on the west coast, is a fishing town known for its stilt houses and dried seafood shops.
Go for the walking, the temples and simple seafood by the water, with the city a short ride away. One day covers the Buddha and Tai O. Two days leaves room for a hillside trail or a beach without rushing, and a longer stay gives you a quieter base. October to December is the best window for walking, with clear, dry weather.
Lantau Island in five
- Get an Octopus card before you rideThe Octopus card works on the MTR, most buses and the outlying island ferries. Buy one at the airport or an MTR station and top it up as you go.Getting around
- Take the MTR to Tung Chung for the cable carTung Chung is the island's main MTR stop, and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car starts there. The Airport Express also stops here.
- Carry water and grip shoes on the Lantau TrailRefreshment stops are few on the upper sections, and the paths are steep and can be slippery after rain.
- Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo or Discovery BayNeither town is on the MTR, so the ferry from Central is the usual way in.
- Check the Observatory's typhoon signals before you goFerries and the cable car can stop while a typhoon signal or strong wind warning is in force. The Hong Kong Observatory issues the signals, and its MyObservatory app shows them.
Need to know
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check the Immigration Department before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Service charge often added; extra tip optional
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, hazy
- FebruaryCool, misty
- MarchHumid, showers
- AprilHumid, showers
- MayHot, humid, rain
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, typhoons
- AugustTyphoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberClear, dry
- NovemberDry, pleasant
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Lantau Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 55%
Lantau Island
05:19 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°25°55%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Wed27°25°70%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Thu29°25°53%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Fri29°25°35%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Sat27°25°31%Saturday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun28°24°3%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Mon28°20°6%Monday: Clear. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 03:59 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.845 HKD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Central, Hong Kong Islandabout 25 to 30 min by ferry from Discovery BayThe city centre, reached by ferry or MTR and a short ride back to Lantau.Read the guide
- Tai Oabout 1 hour by bus from Tung ChungStilt houses and a fishing village, with dried seafood shops along the lane.
- Ngong Pingabout 25 min by cable car from Tung ChungThe Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, reached by cable car from Tung Chung.
Before you go to Lantau Island
Rules for Lantau Island, checked
- Many passports enter Hong Kong visa-free. Check your passport's status with the Immigration Department before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit to Hong Kong Customs on arrival or departure. Check the current limit with the Customs and Excise Department.Source
- Open fires are banned in the country parks outside designated sites. Carry your rubbish off the trail.Source
- Many restaurants add a service charge. Check the bill before you tip, since extra tipping is optional.
Plan around Lantau Island
The city and the transport links that lead out to Lantau.
Read the guideGetting around LantauMTR, ferries and buses, with the Octopus card.
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports enter visa-free and what to carry.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices in Hong Kong.
Read the guideWhere to stayBases on the island for a night or two.
Read the guideLantau Island FAQ
How do you get to Lantau Island?
Take the MTR to Tung Chung, or the Airport Express, which also stops at Tung Chung. For Mui Wo or Discovery Bay, take a ferry from Central on Hong Kong Island.
Is Lantau Island worth visiting?
Yes, for the Big Buddha, the Tai O stilt village and the hiking trails, which are quieter than the city. Allow a full day, or two days if you want to walk a trail stage.
How many days do you need on Lantau?
One full day covers the Big Buddha, Tai O and a lunch. Stay a night in Mui Wo or Discovery Bay if you want the south coast in the evening and an early start on a trail.
Is Tai O worth visiting?
Yes, if you want stilt houses and dried seafood shops in a working fishing village. It is a half-day visit, reached by bus from Tung Chung.
How do you get to the Big Buddha?
Ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung, about 25 minutes each way. The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are at the top.