<strong>Lantau Island:</strong> Come for the Big Buddha, stay for everything else. Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong, it's worth spending a weekend on Lantau to properly explore its secluded waterfalls, fishing villages, laid-back beaches and surf bars.
Lantau Island: Come for the Big Buddha, stay for everything else. Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong, it's worth spending a weekend on Lantau to properly explore its secluded waterfalls, fishing villages, laid-back beaches and surf bars.
Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket via Getty Images
<strong>Big Buddha:</strong> The 111-foot-tall bronze Goliath draws crowds every day, mostly accessed by the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.np360.com.hk%2Fen%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car</a>, which affords great views along the way.
Big Buddha: The 111-foot-tall bronze Goliath draws crowds every day, mostly accessed by the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, which affords great views along the way.
MIKE CLARKE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Pui O:</strong> In addition to its kayaking, surfing and beach shacks, Lantau's Pui O is also home to amazing sunsets.
Pui O: In addition to its kayaking, surfing and beach shacks, Lantau's Pui O is also home to amazing sunsets.
Mavericks
<strong>Beach House:</strong> There's a string of cafes overlooking the ocean, including Beach House. It serves a Mediterranean menu with an emphasis on seafood dishes.
Beach House: There's a string of cafes overlooking the ocean, including Beach House. It serves a Mediterranean menu with an emphasis on seafood dishes.
Beach House
<strong>Not your typical Hong Kong scene: </strong>Water buffaloes roam Lantau's jungle-clad hills and through secluded villages, where they once worked on farms.
Not your typical Hong Kong scene: Water buffaloes roam Lantau's jungle-clad hills and through secluded villages, where they once worked on farms.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Made for hiking:</strong> Dubbed "The Lungs of Hong Kong," Lantau is home to mountainous terrain, long sandy stretches of coastline, and the territory's largest park, which covers nearly half the island.
Made for hiking: Dubbed "The Lungs of Hong Kong," Lantau is home to mountainous terrain, long sandy stretches of coastline, and the territory's largest park, which covers nearly half the island.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>More cattle than cabs:</strong> <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spca.org.hk%2Fen%2Fanimal-birth-control%2Fbuffalo-cattle-desexing" target="_blank" target="_blank">Nearly 1,000 animals</a> roam the island, compared with 75 taxis.
More cattle than cabs: Nearly 1,000 animals roam the island, compared with 75 taxis.
Brad Olson/CNN
<strong>Pui O Beach: </strong>Sandwiched between mountains and paddy fields, Pui O beach sees a mix of sunbathers, surfers and the odd water buffalo or two.
Pui O Beach: Sandwiched between mountains and paddy fields, Pui O beach sees a mix of sunbathers, surfers and the odd water buffalo or two.
Treasure Island
<strong>Hey Billy: </strong>On the southeast corner of Lantau, the shoreline has long been a draw for aspiring surfers -- and Billy the water buffalo.
Hey Billy: On the southeast corner of Lantau, the shoreline has long been a draw for aspiring surfers -- and Billy the water buffalo.
Mavericks
<strong>Mavericks:</strong> Opened in 2014, Mavericks quickly put Pui O on the map with its colorful interiors -- picture surfboards lining the walls, low-key wooden high tops, an outdoor deck and even a mini skate ramp.
Mavericks: Opened in 2014, Mavericks quickly put Pui O on the map with its colorful interiors -- picture surfboards lining the walls, low-key wooden high tops, an outdoor deck and even a mini skate ramp.
Mavericks
<strong>Locally sourced eats:</strong> But the décor isn't the only reason it's won over the hearts of Hong Kongers. The versatile menu also makes use of fresh food sourced from local farmers.
Locally sourced eats: But the décor isn't the only reason it's won over the hearts of Hong Kongers. The versatile menu also makes use of fresh food sourced from local farmers.
Kate Springer
<strong>Pui O:</strong> A public campsite offers easy access to the ocean, as well as barbecue pits, water buffalo sightings and hiking trails. Right next to the site, there's a convenient alternative for tentless travelers: Treasure Island. This handy enterprise provides tents, coolers, sleeping bags and barbecue equipment -- even a s'mores kit should the need arise.
Pui O: A public campsite offers easy access to the ocean, as well as barbecue pits, water buffalo sightings and hiking trails. Right next to the site, there's a convenient alternative for tentless travelers: Treasure Island. This handy enterprise provides tents, coolers, sleeping bags and barbecue equipment -- even a s'mores kit should the need arise.
Treasure Island
<strong>Long Coast Seasports:</strong> A more upscale option is Long Coast Seasports, about 10 minutes south by taxi in Lower Cheung Sha Village. This outfit offers safari-like deluxe canvas tents, complete with mattresses, wooden floors, air-conditioning and lots of elbow room.
Long Coast Seasports: A more upscale option is Long Coast Seasports, about 10 minutes south by taxi in Lower Cheung Sha Village. This outfit offers safari-like deluxe canvas tents, complete with mattresses, wooden floors, air-conditioning and lots of elbow room.
South Coast Seasports
<strong>Lower Cheung Sha Beach: </strong>Near the camp site, Lower Cheung Sha Beach is a popular spot for snacks and drinks.
Lower Cheung Sha Beach: Near the camp site, Lower Cheung Sha Beach is a popular spot for snacks and drinks.
Kate Springer
<strong>The Stoep:</strong> A little farther from the shore is The Stoep, one of Hong Kong's most famous South African restaurants.
The Stoep: A little farther from the shore is The Stoep, one of Hong Kong's most famous South African restaurants.
Kate Springer
<strong>Tai O Heritage Hotel:</strong> On the western edge of the village, the Tai O Heritage Hotel sits atop a hill with views of the South China Sea. Built in 1902, originally as a marine police patrol post to combat sea piracy, the colonial-era hotel has retained its former identity with historic details.
Tai O Heritage Hotel: On the western edge of the village, the Tai O Heritage Hotel sits atop a hill with views of the South China Sea. Built in 1902, originally as a marine police patrol post to combat sea piracy, the colonial-era hotel has retained its former identity with historic details.
Tai O Heritage Hotel