While exploring Hong Kong, my husband and I didn't just ride the legendary tram to Victoria 'The Peak'; we also experienced the Ngong Ping Cable Car.
Known as Ngong Ping 360, this destination is a popular choice among international visitors because it is one of Hong Kong's prominent attractions.
Located on Lantau Island, Ngong Ping is celebrated for several key sights, including the renowned Ngong Ping 360 cable car. In this article, I’ll share our experiences there to assist those planning a visit. Stay tuned until the end!
As I previously said, Ngong Ping lies at the western tip of Hong Kong, near the airport. So, it is a considerable distance from the city center. The journey may take up to an hour.
If you have pre-purchased tickets online, you should better plan your trip well to avoid being late. There are several transportation options available to reach Ngong Ping:
You can take the MTR and alight at Tung Chung Station, situated on the Tung Chung Line, right next to the Citygate Outlets shopping center.
From the station, a short walk following the directional signs leads you to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car terminal.
Alternatively, the bus is a viable option. My husband and I also used bus to reach Ngong Ping. During our stay in Hong Kong, we preferred bus over the MTR as it was simpler, more comfortable, and generally less congested.
A variety of bus routes including E11, E21, E22, E23, E31, E32, E41, E42, N11, N21, N23, N26, N29, N30, N31, N42, and N64, serve different parts of the city connecting them to Tung Chung. Once you arrive in Tung Chung, you can board bus No. 23, which heads directly to Ngong Ping.
The number of buses you need to take depends on your starting point. In our case, it was straightforward; we took a direct ride on bus No. 23 from the hostel where we were staying. The trip lasted between 50 and 60 minutes.
Lastly, a taxi is the easiest and most convenient choice, particularly beneficial for those traveling with young children. You can hail a taxi from any location by simply informing the driver of your destination.
To buy tickets for the gondola or cable car, I suggest purchasing them online to save time and avoid queues at the ticket office.
My husband and I secured our tickets through the official BCA Indonesia website, which partners with Ngong Ping. We managed to snag a 15% discount offered to BCA credit card holders while the promotion was active.
Alternatively, tickets can be bought from Klook or Pelago by Singapore Airlines for those interested in accruing KrisFlyer miles/points.
Ticket prices range from US$ 24.89 to US$ 30 for an Adult One-Way Standard Cabin ticket. The cost varies depending on whether you choose the Standard or Crystal Cabin—the latter being entirely glass-sided, allowing for unobstructed views below.
We opted for a combination ticket that included one-way travel in both the Crystal and Standard Cabins, totaling HKD 527 after the discount.
Once we arrived, we quickly followed the signs to the cable car entrance. We informed the staff that we had purchased our tickets online.
A staff member then guided us to the 'Crystal Cabin' line because our tickets included a one-way trip in this type of cabin. We each received a wristband for our tickets right away.
Initially, we were a bit surprised to see how many people were waiting. However, the line moved faster than we expected. Although the queue was long, everything was well-organized and the staff handled it efficiently.
Just before it was our turn to get on the gondola, a staff member asked how many were in our group. Since it was just the two of us, we had to join a gondola with other passengers.
Each gondola holds about 6 to 7 people. We shared our ride with five friendly Thai tourists who even offered to take pictures for us.
The ride lasted just 25 minutes, giving us plenty of time to snap photos, take videos, and enjoy the views. As we approached Ngong Ping, we marveled at the sights of the Tian Tian Buddha, the South China Sea, and Hong Kong Airport below us.
After a 25-minute cable car ride, we finally reached Ngong Ping! So, what can you find here?
Upon disembarking from the cable car at the summit, we immediately began to explore. The first stop, naturally, was the souvenir shop. After browsing through various mementos, we strolled around Ngong Ping Village.
What else is there to see? For those curious about what else can be explored here, read the article below:
Once we had finished exploring all the activities available, we made our way back to Tung Chung Station via a one-way standard cabin, which didn't have the glass sides of our previous ride. The return journey was the same as our initial ascent, albeit in a standard cabin this time.
That was our journey through Ngong Ping 360 in Hong Kong. Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave them in the comment section. See you in the next travel article!
