Lantau 大嶼山, Hong Kong

Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lantau_buddha_hongkong.jpg
Author: EvieSeo


Lantau (Traditional Chinese: 大嶼山, Simplified Chinese: 大屿山) is the largest island of Hong Kong. It covers 147.16 sq km (56.819 sq mi), it is almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Lantau is located at the mouth of the Pearl River, on the southwestern part of Hong Kong.

The terrain of Lantau is mostly mountainous. The highest point on Lantau Island is the 934-meter Lantau Peak, which is almost twice the height of Victoria Peak. It is also the second tallest mountain in Hong Kong after the 957-meter Tai Mo Shan in the New Territories.

Compared to Hong Kong Island, Lantau has a low population density. Despite being much larger, it only has a population of 45,000. The Hong Kong International Airport is located at Chek Lap Kok, on the northwestern part of Lantau. Its opening helped spur development of Lantau, which sees the creation of new townships with condominiums of 30 to 50 storeys near the airport.

View of the Hong Kong International Airport from Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

How to go to Lantau

The Tung Chung Line of the Hong Kong MTR serves the Tung Chung MTR Station on Lantau. If you're going to Hong Kong Disneyland, alight at the Sunny Bay MTR Station and then change to the Disneyland Resort Line.

Getting around Lantau Island can be done by car, bus, bicycle or on foot. Places that are country park are off limits to normal vehicles.

San Shek Wan, Lantau