AreaStays
The Tian Tan Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island

Béria L. Rodríguez / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hong Kong

Where to Stay in Lantau Island

Lantau Island is Hong Kong's largest island, a greener and much quieter counterpart to the urban core across the harbour. It's home to the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, Hong Kong Disneyland, the fishing village of Tai O, and the international airport. This guide covers Tung Chung, the island's main town and the base most visitors use for reaching Lantau's sights. Don't miss the cable car ride up to the Big Buddha, an afternoon in Tai O's stilt-house village, and a walk along Tung Chung's harbourfront promenade.

Quick facts

Best time to visit
October through December is the best stretch — dry, mild, and clear, which matters here since the island's main draws (the cable car, the Buddha, Tai O, hiking trails) are all outdoors. Summer (June–September) is hot, humid, and the main typhoon season, when the cable car sometimes suspends service; winter (December–February) is cooler and driest but can turn damp and chilly after dark.
Renting a car
Skip renting a car. The Tung Chung MTR line, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and local buses cover this guide's neighborhood and Lantau's main sights, while parking near Tung Chung and Ngong Ping is limited and roads in South Lantau are narrow.

Where to stay

Best for families riding the cable car to the Big Buddha and visiting Hong Kong Disneyland, travelers who want to be close to the airport for an early flight or late arrival, and shoppers who want Citygate Outlets on their doorstep.

The Tung Chung terminal of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car on Lantau Island

LN9267 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tung Chung

Best for: Families, First-time visitors, Architecture lovers

Our picks for Lantau Island

A handful of editorial calls across every neighborhood above, not just the highest star rating — see each hotel's own card further down for the full case for and against it.

💰 Best valueFour Points by Sheraton Hong Kong, Tung ChungTung Chung❤️ Best for couplesSheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung HotelTung Chung✨ Best luxuryThe Silveri Hong Kong - MGallery CollectionTung Chung📍 Best locationThe Silveri Hong Kong - MGallery CollectionTung Chung

A couple of hotels in Tung Chung

Tung Chung is the top-recommended area to stay in Lantau Island.

Novotel Citygate Hong Kong

★★★★

Our take A reliable, mid-range option right by the MTR and outlet mall, without the resort trappings — or price — of its five-star neighbors nearby.

Good for

  • Families

Families and travelers who want straightforward, well-located rooms in Tung Chung without paying five-star rates.

Why we like it

  • A few minutes' walk from Tung Chung MTR station and directly beside Citygate Outlets
  • An outdoor pool and rooms that run larger than is typical for a Hong Kong hotel
  • Free shuttle service to Hong Kong International Airport
  • Lower rates than the area's five-star hotels, with much of the same walk-to-everything location

What to know

  • Public areas and the pool can get busy with families, especially on weekends and school holidays
Check availability on Booking.com

Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel

★★★★★
  • ❤️ Best for couples

Our take The higher-end half of Tung Chung's largest hotel complex, with more space and quieter public areas than its sister Four Points tower.

Good for

  • Couples
  • First-time visitors

Travelers who want a higher-end stay in Tung Chung with resort-style facilities, close to the MTR, Citygate Outlets, and the airport.

Why we like it

  • A short walk from Tung Chung MTR station and Citygate Outlets
  • Its own check-in, elevators, pool, and fitness centre, separate from the adjoining Four Points tower
  • About a 10-minute drive or shuttle ride from Hong Kong International Airport
  • Modern rooms with large windows, many facing the surrounding hills or bay

What to know

  • Shares its building with the separately run Four Points by Sheraton, so it's worth checking which tower a booking is actually for
Check availability on Booking.com

Useful travel information

Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar (HKD). An Octopus card, sold at the airport and any MTR station, covers the MTR, buses, and most convenience-store purchases with a single tap. English is an official language alongside Cantonese and is widely used on signage and by MTR staff. The Tung Chung line reaches Hong Kong Station on Hong Kong Island in about 30 minutes, and local buses from Tung Chung connect to Tai O and South Lantau's beaches. Most of Lantau beyond Tung Chung is protected country park, so terrain away from the town gets hilly and undeveloped fast.

Tips

  • Book Ngong Ping 360 cable car tickets online in advance, especially for weekends and public holidays — queues at the Tung Chung terminal can run over an hour without a pre-booked time slot.
  • Bus 21 runs from Tung Chung to Tai O — go in the late morning or early afternoon to see the stilt houses and fishing boats before the village quiets down toward evening.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lantau Island a good base for visiting Hong Kong?
It works well if your trip centers on Disneyland, the Big Buddha, Tai O, or an early flight, since Tung Chung sits close to the airport and has direct cable-car access to Ngong Ping. First-time visitors focused on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon's street life may prefer to base there instead, since Tung Chung is a 30-45 minute MTR ride from either.
How do you get to the Big Buddha from Tung Chung?
The Ngong Ping 360 cable car departs from its Tung Chung terminal, a short walk from Tung Chung MTR station, and takes about 25 minutes to Ngong Ping. Bus 23 covers the same route by road for a cheaper, longer alternative.

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