6th March 2005

 

At 934m it's not the highest peak in HK (only 24m less than the one that is - but who's counting) but it is definitely the nicest looking.  Surrounded by sea on all sides (it's on a island - duh...) it makes for beautiful postcard scenery...

 

After a bus ride the takes you (unnecessarily if you ask me) all the way around the island you get to the Po Lin monastery where the Big Buddha is.  A few minutes past the Big Buddha (biggest bronze outdoor statue in the world - makes you wonder where the biggest bronze indoor A/C statue is located....) you get to the gates that take you to the steep hike up the top of Lantau Peak (or Phoenix mountain in Chinese).  An hour later (I'm not as fit these days) I made it to the ridge that will take you to the top.  The view from the ridge is amazing, the weather was excellent (relative for HK) and the visibility allowed me to actually see Lamma Island and even over to Kowloon!

 

Anyway, up and up and some more up, and I was at the top of Lantau Peak.  Great 360 panoramic view of the island that include views of HK airport, the Big Budda and Sunset Peak - HK's third highest mountain.  From there it's a one and half hour down hill tramp to the road that takes you back to civilization, but still with great views to offer.