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Lantau Island

The largest island of Hong Kong, even bigger than "Hong Kong Island" itself.  Although the name is officially "Lantau Island" actually people just say "Lantau" -- as in "I'm going to Lautau for dinner". 

The name Lautau is based on its old name 爛頭島 -- pronounced lan tau do or literally. rotten/broken head island; presumably after some rock formations somewhere (it's a big island).  Now the name is 大嶼山 which is pronounced tai yue shan and means  big island mountain which is a fair name as it has some pretty big hills (not what you would call mountains if you come from Switzerland of course).

Major things to see include the Po Lin Monastery on Ngong Ping Plateau, particularly if you are around on The Buddha's Birthday, as well as the traditional fishing village of Tai O.

Tai O is even known as the "Venice of Hong Kong" -- that's because of some (well, one) canal that runs through the village.  In the old days when I was a child I remember there was a little boat and you paid 50 cents to the old fisherman to ferry you across.  Now of course there is a sturdy bridge -- safer I'm sure but takes the fun out of it.

Around the back of the village you can still find some of the several hundred stilt houses that used to be the "norm" for fishing villages in Hong Kong, so it is sort of famous for its fishing village scenery. In the village there are fresh seafood restaurants as well as shops selling all kinds of nicknacks as well as traditional Chinese foodstuffs like salted fish and shrimp paste.

When you arrive in Hong Kong you actually land on Lantau because that's where the Airport is!  Of course you won't see much, though if you take the train back to the city (recommended) you'll see some of the countryside of the north side of the island.

What you won't see is the construction site for the new Hong Kong Disneyland -- yes Hong Kong finally gets a Disneyland.  It's opened in 2005 but it's very small and more "shopping oriented" than the parks in other countries.  I am pleased that the local Ocean Park (a theme park started in 1978) still has more visitors than Disneyland.  For me, I have passed several happy birthday in Ocean Park.  It's my childhood favourite which Micky Mouse can't compete.

Back to Lantau as it is today and what you should go and see.

• Po Lin Monastery with the biggest seated outdoor Buddha statue (Big Buddha)
• Tai O - In Tai O it is just a matter of wandering around -- cross the bridge and do go all the way to the back of the village where the stilt houses are.  Once you've seen all you want to see you can take a bus back to the ferry pier.

If you wanted to actually stay on Lantau then don't have a lot of choices -- see Outlying Island Hotels -- it is more of a day-trip place.

Since 2005 Lantau has been the location of the Hong Kong Disneyland.

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