Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

[PennysBayChronicle]

some people have been complaining that HKDL is short on attractions and not enough for a full day's visit.
Ngong Ping 360 is set to debut in June 2006.

for more information:
www.np360.com.hk

[V1213]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

some people have been complaining that HKDL is short on attractions and not enough for a full day's visit.

It's great that NP360 is finally openning.
Whilst I feel that the park is already a great full day experience, NP360 would be an incentive to actually stay at one of the HKDL Hotels.
It would be more convenient to catch the MTR from HKDL to Tung Chung and NP360 than from Kowloon or HK Island, so it would be great to stay 2 nights at a HKDL hotel, with 1 full day at HK, then the second day at NP360 and then back to HKDL for the afternoon and fireworks again.

Makes me want to go back already!

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

It's great that NP360 is finally openning.
Whilst I feel that the park is already a great full day experience, NP360 would be an incentive to actually stay at one of the HKDL Hotels.
It would be more convenient to catch the MTR from HKDL to Tung Chung and NP360 than from Kowloon or HK Island, so it would be great to stay 2 nights at a HKDL hotel, with 1 full day at HK, then the second day at NP360 and then back to HKDL for the afternoon and fireworks again.

Makes me want to go back already!

Buddha sites loom large and blissful for visitors

Hong Kong -- Places of worship sometimes turn out to be among the sights that travelers remember most.

That was my experience in visiting two prominent Buddhist sites while in Hong Kong: the world's largest outdoor bronze statue of Buddha, on Lantau Island in Hong Kong harbor; and the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the town of Sha Tin, in Hong Kong's New Territories region.

Seated on the highest point of Lantau Island, not far from Hong Kong Disneyland and the world's largest airport, the colossal Tian Tan Buddha (so named because its base is a model of a temple by that name in Beijing) was the most awesome sight on our journey. We had caught an earlier glimpse of it from the air at sunset as our plane was approaching Hong Kong.

The statue is 100 feet high and weighs 275 tons. We could see it long before actually arriving at the Po Lin Monastery.

We arrived at the monastery by taking a ferry from Hong Kong harbor to the Lantau Island village of Mui Wo, then taking the No. 2 public bus for a half-hour ride along a narrow, twisting road.

At the monastery, we paid 20 HK dollars (about $2.50 U.S.), which covered access to the Buddha statue, the monastery and a vegetarian lunch prepared by the monks.

The statue sits overlooking a stairway of nearly 300 steps, requiring almost everyone to look straight into the serene face as they climb. The seated statue has the right hand raised, which we were told symbolizes the dismissal of pain and sorrow.

The statue of bronze laid on a steel framework was completed in December 1993 after three years, at a cost of about $68 million. It is surrounded by eight smaller statues of deities.

Our visit, including the travel time from the hotel, required most of a day. Sometime this year, or by early next year, that time should be reduced substantially when a cable-car lift system will allow visitors to take a public train to the Disneyland train stop (Sunny Bay) on Lantau Island and then ride the lift to the top of the mountain.

Source : Cleveland.com

[tloolgb]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Yawn. Nothing to make me want to cough up money to fly to Hong Kong.

[nish221]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Well, it doesn't do anything more since I'm already psyched to get to HK
already!

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Well, it doesn't do anything more since I'm already psyched to get to HK
already!

when u coming over?

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong’s stunning new tourist attraction is set to open in June 2006. Ngong Ping 360 combines a cable car journey to the Tian Tan Buddha Statue on Lantau Island with a cultural themed village where visitors can immerse themselves in the culture and heritage of Hong Kong in a way which is both fascinating and fun.

Ngong Ping 360 starts at the Tung Chung Skyrail Terminal, conveniently located just five-minutes by taxi from the airport or steps from Tung Chung MTR station, 30-minutes by MTR from Central.

Ngong Ping Skyrail, an unforgettable 5.7 km cableway trip, is the first leg of Hong Kong’s newest multi-faceted tourist experience.

The 25-minute journey gives a sensational bird’s eye view of the planes taking off and landing at Hong Kong International Airport and stunning vistas of the South China Sea. As the Skyrail glides silently over the scenic North Lantau Country Park, visitors will see a canopy of trees beneath, and catch glimpses of natural wonders such as waterfalls, wildlife and the mountain scenery.


At the end of the 25 minute journey, Ngong Ping Skyrail Terminal located at Ngong Ping Village near the imposing Tian Tan Buddha Statue becomes visible.


Ngong Ping Village has been designed to reflect the area’s cultural heritage and spiritual history. The village features a comprehensive range of shops and restaurants to compliment the attractions set in this unique venue.
Against the backdrop of a picturesque garden and the traditional Chinese architecture, a number of themed attractions await. These are Walking with Buddha, the Monkey’s Tale Theatre and Ngong Ping Tea House.

Walking with Buddha uses modern multimedia to give an absorbing insight into the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who lived 2,500 years ago in Nepal and became Buddha. The atmospheric drama heightens as mist descends through a magic Bodhi tree and incense smoke billows. Visitors hear the voice of the spirit of the tree telling the story of the man who asked himself: “Who am I and why am I here?” They can feast their eyes on a 2.5 metre high translucent image of Buddha and enjoy two short three-minute movies describing his path to enlightenment through seven scenes.

The Monkey’s Tale Theatre takes place in a magical courtyard, under the branches of the majestic Bodhi tree. It is a charmingly comical show with a moral twist, inspired by the famous Buddhist Jataka stories. It is designed to be a complete sensory experience for visitors of all ages. High definition animation, special visual effects and surround sound tell the story of a selfish monkey who, with the help of the Monkey King, learns his lesson about humility and kindness.

After these exciting attractions, it’s time for a soothing demonstration of traditional tea ceremonies at the Ngong Ping Tea House, set in a beautiful Chinese garden.

The day would be incomplete without a trip up the steps to see the remarkable Tian Tan Buddha Statue and Po Lin Monastery. Visitors can take their time at the village, and return by Skyrail to Tung Chung

Source : AsiaTravelTips

[MickeyMania]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Look at those towers. That's why I'm one of those people who does not miss the Skyway! 50 years later and man has still not come up with a feasable way to build a sky bucket ride that does not play havoc with the beauty of the surrounding area.

[tloolgb]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Acutally I was gonna say the opposite, look at those towers! That is one beastly looking skyway (in a good way).

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Acutally I was gonna say the opposite, look at those towers! That is one beastly looking skyway (in a good way).

They are testing the cable car now. Trial run in early June. After the trial run, NP 360 will be opened to public, probably in middle or late June. They have appointed the same Feng Shui Master (the same one who did the Fengshui for HKDL), and he has picked several GOOD dates for Hong Kong Chief Executive to choose the best date for official opening date. Hong Kong Chieif Executive would officiate at the opening ceremony in June.
Ngong Ping Village would also be opened in May.

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Your Journey of Enlightenment begins End of June 2006

Ngong Ping 360 (click here for official announcement)

Ngong Ping 360 Promotional Video

[nish221]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

when u coming over?

Alas, not until summer '07. But now it's on the docket! We might do TDR
(since we're going thru Japan), but not sure about that! NOW if we could
swing that THAT would be awesome! Almost as good as one of TDLFAN's trips! :-)

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Po Lin Monastery is planning for expansion.

The following is the illustration for the future expansion:



and the construction for the "Ten Thousand Buddha Temple" will start soon, and take approx. 3 yrs to complete.
It is estimated that the temple might cost around HK$200 million.

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Ngong Ping Tea House will debut in June 2006.

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Skyrail to hold test cable runs ahead of June launch

Ngong Ping 360, which includes a 5.7-kilometer cable car and themed tourist village on Lantau, will conduct trial runs with volunteer passengers and guests next month ahead of its official opening at the end of June.

Wendy Leung

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Ngong Ping 360, which includes a 5.7-kilometer cable car and themed tourist village on Lantau, will conduct trial runs with volunteer passengers and guests next month ahead of its official opening at the end of June.

Project manager Skyrail-ITM said the trial runs will test crowd management, emergency rescue procedures, ticketing and wheelchair services.

Volunteers for the tests will come from business partners, underprivileged groups, MTR Club members and Skyrail staff and family, said Skyrail director of sales and marketing Susan Tse.

"After the trial runs, we will make further adjustments before our grand opening," she said.

Ngong Ping 360 is forecast to attract 1.5 million visitors a year. The cable car line connects Tung Chung to Ngong Ping, site of Lantau's giant Buddha statue, and will include a station at the Chek Lap Kok headland at Hong Kong International Airport.

The tourist village at the mountain end of the cable car will include culturally themed attractions such as Walking with Buddha, Monkey's Tale Theatre and the Ngong Ping Tea House.

The latter is operated by Wing Wah which makes mooncakes and Chinese sausages. Wing Wah invested HK$7 million in the 2,500 square-foot yum cha restaurant which seats 50 customers. Company manager Patrick Wong Man-sau said there are fewer than 20 tables in the teahouse, "but we might add more after the soft runs."
The teahouse will provide more than 50 kinds of Chinese tea, including four Hong Kong blends - Phoenix from Lantau Peak, Meng Shan from Castle Peak, Shoulder Pole tea from Tsing Yi and Pure Brightness herbal tea.

Source : HK Standard News

[PennysBayChronicle]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

mtr club members have the priority to experience



www.mtr.com.hkSing Tao Daily and The Standard on 2 June 2006. Winners will also be
notified individually through emails. Participants may also check the ballot results
on the MTR website www.mtr.com.hk from 2 to 17 June 2006.

chance to experience Ngong Ping 360 - a Journey of Enlightenment, on Saturday, 17
June 2006, a trial run day prior to its official opening.

Source: Press Release from MTR

[TDLFAN]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Yawn. Nothing to make me want to cough up money to fly to Hong Kong.

That's too bad tloogb. Apart from them now having a DL park, Hong Kong is a fabulous city to visit. The feel and dynamics of the city, the skycrappers, Victoria Peak, surrounding mountains and everything in between is just fabulous. You should definitely plan to go there sometime in the future. It's definitely one of the "MUST SEE" cities on Earth.

As for the Ngong Ping gondolas... it's an amazing sight to see them go up the side of that mountain, just like the ones they have at Ocean Park. I can't wait to go ride it..and I am affraid of heights!!

[TDLFAN]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Alas, not until summer '07. But now it's on the docket! We might do TDR
(since we're going thru Japan), but not sure about that! NOW if we could
swing that THAT would be awesome! Almost as good as one of TDLFAN's trips! :-)

Excuse me nish... but you *MUST* take a detour trip to TDR. Any dedicated Disney fan owes it to him/herself to do so if you go to Japan.

[nish221]

Re: Ngong Ping 360 to complement HKDL

Excuse me nish... but you *MUST* take a detour trip to TDR. Any dedicated Disney fan owes it to him/herself to do so if you go to Japan.

thanks, TDLFAN for those words of encouragement! I personally want (dying!) to go, but the demands of time (and relatives!) might be just too much. There's still time
so we'll see what happens!