We had a great trip to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, which was a 30 minute train ride from the central Kowloon Station. The Big Buddha is the main attraction at the Monastery, which is on top of a mountain. It is possible to walk the seven kilometres up the mountain, but it is much more enjoyable to take the gondola. We paid up for the glass bottomed car, which makes for wonderful views of the forest below your feet but is a rather unsettling experience!
The trail up the mountain, through the glass-bottomed gondola
Once we arrived at the top of the mountain, it is a short 5 minute walk through a little village with shops and restaurants to the base of the Buddha Monument. The monument itself is reached by climbing 268 steps (which would be rather daunting after walking up the mountain!)
Village at the top of the mountain
Big Buddha Monument
Even though the monument steps and village seem crowded, the monument itself is quite serene and has lovely views of the sea below. It is very close to the airport, but incredibly quiet. It was a great thing to do and see on our last day in Hong Kong.
Big Buddha
