Lantau Buddha Tour & Tai O Lunch: A Real Review

Lantau Buddha Tour & Tai O Lunch: A Real Review

So, you are thinking about checking out the Lantau Buddha Tour and, too it’s almost, that fancy lunch at the Tai O Heritage Hotel, which they only do on Fridays? You’ve come to, actually, the right place! I’m going to, very, give you the lowdown on what to expect, the good bits, and a few things that I, might be, wish I’d known before I went. Hopefully, you’ll get a very, good idea.

What’s the Lantau Buddha Tour All About?

Po Lin Monastery Lantau Island

The Lantau Buddha Tour, as I was saying, usually combines seeing the Tian Tan Buddha – that huge, sitting Buddha that’s super impressive – and checking out the Po Lin Monastery. That part usually draws lots of folks to Lantau Island. That monastery is, often, such a peaceful spot and it’s neat to look at all the colorful details, by the way, especially. If you get the tour with lunch at the Tai O Heritage Hotel on a Friday, like your truly almost did, it’s a very, interesting way to get a better view of what island life in Hong Kong can, might be, look like, which can be pretty surprising if you are, too it’s almost, that used to, naturally, the city.

Reaching the Big Buddha: The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

You, like your, can get to the Big Buddha, or course, pretty easily by bus, though taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, right, so, definitely adds to the experience. Clearly, alright, the views are pretty amazing – you go over the mountains and get to see, for example, the water. That part might get you some amazing photos. Seemingly, just a little, the cable car queues, right, so, can be quite long, I mean, especially around midday and definitely during the weekend or public holidays. Actually, anyway, springing for the crystal cabin (that has the see-through floor) is very, totally worth it if you, very, can, in other words, that bit, since it feels like you’re virtually floating. In that case, try to arrive reasonably early to, basically, beat the crowds, which, basically, starts amassing after 10 AM.

The Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

Tian Tan Buddha bronze statue

Once you’re, of course, up there, there’s the Big Buddha! Seemingly, just a little, you’ve got to climb a few steps, that is, 268, to get right up close, or very, right next to it, right, so, but trust us (I went), it’s definitely a pretty amazing sight. Seemingly, just a little, you can, in a way, see for miles around you. Obviously, seriously, pop into the Po Lin Monastery too. They also have the Hall of Great Heroes – there is all kinds of statues, next, now, and decoration.

Lunch at Tai O Heritage Hotel: A Friday Treat

Tai O Heritage Hotel exterior

So, here’s the special part about the tour, that is, if you go on a Friday. Lunch is, too it’s almost, that at the Tai O Heritage Hotel! That, of course, building, like your, was once a police station back in the day, which, basically, is why it’s positioned overlooking the sea. Usually, it has had such a good view, right, so. Today, even though, it’s a hotel. As I was saying, the spot is pretty awesome. To be honest, you might want to book it even without, too it’s almost, that tour! Still, basically, eating at the hotel’s restaurant, honestly, like, is very, kind of, a highlight of the Friday tour.

The Setting and Atmosphere

Tai O Heritage Hotel restaurant

First, by the way, when you eat at the Tai O Heritage Hotel, very, just being in the restaurant is something to behold. You, unlike, can, more or less, see over the water. Apparently, seemingly, that spot, like, is, too it’s almost, that so perfect for enjoying the peace and the views while you chow down on your food. Actually, anyway, it feels completely detached from, basically, Hong Kong Island’s frenzy and definitely bustle.

The Food: What to Expect

Cantonese dishes

In short, what they normally serve is pretty typical Cantonese stuff that is, so, fresh, like your, fish is so likely going to be very popular here. That monastery food is, pretty much, simple yet very nicely done. Actually, anyway, while that meal I, arguably, sampled didn’t blow our minds, for instance, the food was tasty, and, to be honest, was actually a great way to sample some island cooking. Okay, alright, very filling to boot!

Exploring Tai O Fishing Village

Tai O fishing village

Most of the tour then visits Tai O fishing village too! So, anyway, it’s such an actual highlight of that trip because, as a matter of fact, it’s not what most visitors associate with Hong Kong. Apparently, seemingly, Tai O, okay, alright, gives you a chance to see what island existence looks, sounds like, more or less. Now, of course, it’s an actual contrast to the city center’s skyscrapers, at the end of the day.

What Makes Tai O Special

houses on stilts in Tai O

Seriously, essentially, those stilt houses make Tai O completely one of a kind. Right, so, for real, seeing how everybody exists literally right on top of the water makes you understand, at the end of the day, more, or very, right away about how communities develop, right, so. Naturally, nevertheless, you could spend time seeing the local markets for salted fish, shrimp paste, and other goodies, too. If you see something of the unusual variety, don’t wait and grab it.

A Note About the Pink Dolphins

Hong Kong pink dolphins

Often, the Lantau tours offer a glimpse of those pink dolphins – the Chinese white dolphin. Sometimes, you’re, too it’s almost, that gonna catch one of them on a boat ride near Tai O’s waters; however, that experience has had very mixed reviews! Basically, actually, just bear in mind that spotting one of those creatures may, actually, not always happen! If you aren’t able to spot them at that place, maybe another adventure would show you, that part. Seriously, essentially, these pink beauties, more or less, do not always decide to turn up just on cue, right, so?

Is the Lantau Buddha Tour & Lunch at Tai O Worth It?

happy travellers Hong Kong

Arguably, very, that Lantau Buddha Tour and definitely the Friday lunch is very well worth it, it will depend on what is actually important to, basically, you, definitely! Right, so, it’s very right for, arguably, you if:

  • Wanting culture: Like your, getting to see all these major sites is good.
  • If one finds joy to get away from that hubbub: Escaping, like, the city craziness, right, so, is definitely precious for a moment.
  • You might just be really fascinated to sample local eats: Tai O’s meal would definitely delight someone who is looking for some traditional tastes.

Maybe it isn’t for, basically, you, still, now, though, if:

  • Quick trip only: With not plenty time in, that tour uses up one, I mean, whole day.
  • Dining, like, is crucial to, obviously, you: While awesome views and that cool building will very likely create, obviously, it something great, basically, those eats aren’t definitely fine dining, even!

Some Tips for Making the Most of the Tour

what to bring travelling

Now, of course, some guidance to potentially better prepare for this actual Lantau encounter:

  • Always keep an eye on that weather, definitely: If conditions actually do, to be honest, happen to actually become super hazy then this scenery gets lost for it. That would likely suck!
  • Get super cozy shoes prepared now: Prepare to do quite a bit on foot, so cozy trainers always help with, like, all those strolls around.
  • Bring with an empty bottle that way one gets some fluids: All of that heat has had its toll upon you so keep your energy fully topped upward throughout that exploration throughout!
  • In some respects always think sun-defense or bring that umbrella with on all occassions: Almost Always protecting skin against all those beaming rays happens to become one great plus-and you can keep from being really cooked in sun.

So, anyway, all there could be said there seems like some insight when opting now just like very whether, very, if perhaps, actually, seriously, even this actual journey always would become best best fitted! That, is that, Tai O always adds one memorable unique edge along into some sort, for instance, amazing excursion particularly along that certain one specific Fridays while eating really delicious munchables at that magnificent architectural Hotel landmark landmark.