Ngong Ping 360: My First Cable Car Ride (and the Longest One)

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

I was not able to try Ngong Ping 360 on my first trip to Hong Kong and upon finding about it on the various travel guides that I hoarded from the airport, I told myself I must try it someday. Because Ngong Ping 360's farther end was close to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (both are in Lantau Island), I created this itinerary for our first day in Hong Kong:

Ngong Ping 360 - Hong Kong Disneyland Resort - The Peak

Getting to Lantau Island via Ngong Ping 360 was a great experience. It offered a great panoramic view of Lantau Island and South China Sea, including the Hong Kong International Airport. The ride to Lantau Island lasts for around 20-25 minutes on a 5.7 kilometers cable car ride starting from Tung Chung Town Centre. Wow. For those with acrophobia, you now have an idea on how long the ride is. Don't say I didn't warn you. For thrill-seekers though, you'd surely have a good 20-25 minutes of your life in Ngong Ping 360. The thrill of being suspended via cable on that span of time while enjoying an unparalleled view via the glass framed cable car is simply something you shouldn't miss!

a unique Ngong Ping 360 welcome and I love it

like a child, overjoyed with the view

with the Hong Kong International Airport on the background

Hmm...now what to do within that span of time? Wouldn't it be boring? We did not experience boredom at all! What did we do? We spent the whole time taking photos, exchanging seats and positions while taking photos so that each of us would have a photo with the different views we encountered.

Super happy!

As there were only six of us, they had to let two strangers join us in the coach. They were a Western couple, and because we had been noisy and busy exchanging positions while in mid-air thus making the ride shaky, the girl couldn't help but tell her companion, "This is the longest seven minutes of my life". Well in that situation, they were the minority and they did not even understand whatever we were saying so they had no choice but to bear with us - a bunch of friends who were so excited with the fantastic view hence forgetting that they were in mid-air, just suspended by a cable.

Happy tripping friends!

The Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride will take you to Ngong Ping Village - an ancient-Chinese themed village with various shopping and dining options. Ngong Ping Village takes pride in its Walking With Buddha and Monkey's Tale Theatre attractions. Walking With Buddha is a multimedia experience showcasing the life of Siddhartha Gautama and his journey to enlightenment. Monkey's Tale, on the other hand, is a comical show featuring the journey of three monkey friends, derived from the Buddhist Jataka stories.

Welcome to Ngong Ping Village!

outside Walking With Buddha

If you have time, you could walk further and head to the Tian Tan Buddha statue more popularly known as Giant Buddha located nearby. This is the center of Buddhism in Hong Kong located beside Po Lin Monastery. Note that due to the Giant Buddha's size, it seems so near, yet so far. Be armed with comfy hiking shoes should you decide to pursue it.

There's the Tian Tan Buddha!

Since we did not have that much time and Ngong Ping 360 cable car was the only reason we were there, we just took some photos and went off. Even if we did not hike our way to the Giant Buddha, Ngong Ping Village already offered a good spot for a photo with the Giant Buddha in the background. And then, off we went to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

THE ESSENTIALS:

Ngong Ping 360's opening hours:

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays
9:00 AM to 6:30 PM on weekends and public holidays

How to get to Ngong Ping 360:

1. Ride the MTR orange (Tung Chung) line. (Note: For those coming from Tsim Sha Tsui area, the interchange is at the Hong Kong station.)
2. Get off at MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B.
3. Walk for five minutes until you reach the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Terminal.

The ticket price for the round trip, standard cabin (the one we availed): HK$125/head

* There are also options to avail of a crystal cabin, and single trip tickets.

*Photos are taken upon boarding and before alighting the cable car. You have the option to purchase print outs and key chains with the photo as a remembrance of your Ngong Ping 360 experience.

our souvenir photo :)

Other posts in this Hong Kong-Macau series:

Yes, You Can Enjoy Macau for Free
New Yaohan's Food Court and the Emperor Hotel Macau
Strolling in Macau: Senado Square, St. Dominic’s Church, Ruins of St. Paul’s, Museu de Macau What’s Inside Casino Lisboa in Macau?
I was in (Wonderland) MGM Macau!
The Tear-jerky Wynn Macau Experience
Finding the Dragon’s Treasure in Macau’s City of Dreams
Ended the Day in (Venice) Venetian Macao
My Second Time in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!
Ended a Jam-packed Day at The Peak
My Love Affair with Hong Kong Ocean Park
Rushing to the Avenue of Stars and A Symphony of Lights
DIY Hong Kong and Macau Trip: Tips on How to Ace It
20,000 Pesos 4 Days, 3 Nights DIY Hong Kong-Macau Travel Guide