Why Honeymoon on Lantau Island
Lantau gives you the Hong Kong most travelers never find. A 30-minute ferry from Central takes you from glass towers to Mui Wo, a small harbor town with bicycles leaning against cafés. Another short bus ride and you are on a long, curving beach with mountains rising behind it.
The island has real variety. Ngong Ping plateau holds the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, a genuine place of worship as well as a sight. Tai O, on the west coast, is a fishing village built partly on stilts over tidal channels. The Lantau Trail runs about 43 miles along the island's spine, linking peaks such as Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak.
For couples, the appeal is breathing room. After days of neon and crowds, a night in a seaside hotel with the sound of waves feels like a second honeymoon inside the first. And because the airport is on Lantau, it makes an easy last stop before your flight home.
When to Go
Autumn, from October through December, is the best time. Skies are clearer, humidity drops and the hiking is excellent. Sunset Peak is famous for its silver grass, which turns the slopes pale gold in late autumn.
January to April is mild and often comfortable, though gray days and spring fog can hide views from the Buddha and the ridges. It is still good for village walks and quieter beaches.
Summer, roughly June to September, is hot and humid with frequent storms and typhoon risk. Beaches are at their liveliest. The sea is warm, but mountain hikes become draining and the cable car can close in bad weather. If you visit in summer, start early, carry plenty of water and check typhoon warnings.
Weekends and public holidays bring long queues at the cable car and crowds at Tai O. A weekday visit is noticeably calmer.
Where to Stay
Lantau has fewer hotels than the city, which is part of its charm.
- Tai O: the Tai O Heritage Hotel occupies a restored colonial-era police station overlooking the water. It is small and atmospheric and a lovely choice for a night after the day-trippers leave.
- Mui Wo: Silvermine Beach Resort faces a sandy bay a short walk from the ferry pier. It is relaxed rather than luxurious, with easy access to Central.
- Discovery Bay: a car-free residential area on the east coast, home to Auberge Discovery Bay, with round-the-clock ferries to Central.
- Tung Chung and the airport: Novotel Citygate and other business hotels are convenient for the cable car and late flights.
- Penny's Bay: the Hong Kong Disneyland hotels suit couples who plan to visit the park.
For most honeymooners, one night in Tai O or Mui Wo plus city nights works better than basing your whole trip on Lantau.
Romantic Things to Do
Ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung, a roughly 25-minute trip over hills and water. The glass-bottom cabins add a thrill. At the top, climb the 268 steps to the Tian Tan Buddha, then have a vegetarian lunch at Po Lin Monastery. Walk to the Wisdom Path, a quiet circle of tall wooden pillars carved with a Buddhist sutra.
In the afternoon, take a bus down to Tai O. Wander the lanes, sample grilled squid and egg waffles and hop on a short boat ride along the stilt houses. Stay for sunset over the water.
Another day, take the ferry to Mui Wo and a bus to Cheung Sha, Hong Kong's longest beach. Have lunch at a beachside restaurant and swim in summer. For a challenge, hike up Sunset Peak late in the day, carrying a headlamp. Watch the sun set over the South China Sea.
Getting There and Around
From the airport, Tung Chung is about 10 minutes by bus or taxi. From the city, take the MTR Tung Chung Line or ride a ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, which takes roughly 30 to 50 minutes depending on the boat. Discovery Bay has its own ferry from Central running day and night.
On the island, buses link the main points. Routes connect Tung Chung with Ngong Ping and Tai O; others run from Mui Wo to Tai O and the south coast beaches. Blue Lantau taxis serve the whole island and are reasonably priced, though they can be scarce in the evening.
Private cars need permits to drive on south Lantau, so renting one is not practical. The Ngong Ping cable car closes periodically for maintenance and during strong winds; check the schedule before you go and plan to take bus 23 if it is not running.
Food and Drink
Lantau's food is simpler than the city's, which is part of the pleasure.
At Po Lin Monastery, the vegetarian restaurant serves set meals of tofu, mushrooms and vegetables, eaten at shared tables under the gaze of the Buddha. It is filling, inexpensive and meaningful.
Tai O is known for dried seafood, shrimp paste and salted fish, sold from shopfronts along the main lane. Street snacks include grilled squid, fish balls and sweet egg waffles. Several small restaurants serve fresh seafood by the waterfront.
Along the south coast near Cheung Sha, a handful of beachside restaurants and bars turn into cheerful sunset spots, especially on summer weekends. Mui Wo has noodle shops and local cafés near the pier.
For a celebratory dinner, most couples head back into Central or Tsim Sha Tsui. Lantau is better for long lunches than for fine dining.
Honeymoon Tips
Go early. The cable car opens in the morning. The first hour is calmer and cooler than midday.
Buy cable car tickets online in advance, especially on weekends. If you want the glass-floor cabin, book that option specifically.
Carry cash in Hong Kong dollars or load your Octopus card. Many small stalls in Tai O do not take credit cards.
Dress for hiking, even for a casual day. Paths are steep and humid. Weather can change quickly on the ridges.
On the beach, watch for the free-roaming water buffalo and cattle. They are gentle but large.
If you are flying out of Hong Kong, consider ending your trip with a night on Lantau. The airport is minutes away, which makes a late-morning departure much less stressful.
Finally, respect Po Lin as a working monastery. Speak quietly and dress modestly when you visit.