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Lantau Island photo by Typhoonchaser-

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Lantau Island

Lantau Island as known as Lantao Island or Lan Tao is the largest Island in Hong Kong. However, it is located west of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula and is part of the new territories.

Moreover, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong and a small northeastern portion of the island is located in the Tsuen Wan District.

Furthermore, as an island with fishing villages, it has been developed since the late 20^th century with the construction of Tung Chung new town on its north-western coast, and the completion of several major infrastructure projects including Lantau Link, Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong International Airport, Ngong Ping 360 and Penny鈥檚 Bay Quarantine Centre.

Here are the top 10 astonishing facts about Lantau Island.

1. Lantau Island is the Largest Island in Hong Kong

Lantau Island photo by leo.wan from Hong Kong-

Lantau Island with a land mass of 147.16 square kilometers is the largest Island in Hong Kong almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island.

Moreover, Lantau Island primarily consists of mountainous terrain including Lantau Peak with a height of 934 meters and it is the highest point on the Island.

However, it is the second highest in Hong Kong after Tai Mo Shan and it is almost twice the height of Victoria Peak.

Furthermore, other mountains include Sunset Peak at 869 meters, Lin Fa Shan at 766 meters, Nei Lak Shan at 751 meters, and Yi Tung Shan at 747 meters.

2. Lantau Island is often referred to as 鈥�the lungs of Hong Kong鈥�

Lantau Island photo by Rob Young from United Kingdom-

Lantau Island is often referred to as 鈥�the lungs of Hong Kong鈥� because of its abundance of indigenous forests and the relative scarcity of high-rise residential developments which characterize Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Furthermore, the largest country park is located on the Island which hosts two other parks namely Lantau North Country park and its extension. These parks cover slightly more than half of the area of Lantau Island.

3. You can visit Ngong Ping

Lantau Island photo by AwOiSoAk KaOsIoWa-

The Ngong Ping Village features the Po Lin Monastery and its vegetarian restaurant as well as the 85- foot bronze Tian Tan Buddha statue which was once the world鈥檚 largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue.

However, it takes two hours to ascend from Tung Chung to the monastery. Interestingly visitors can take a 25-minute ride on a Ngong Ping 360 from Tung Chung to the Ngong Ping plateau.

Furthermore, Ngong Ping 360 is a tourism experience that combines a 5.7 km cable car journey with a cultural-themed village and easy access to the Tian Tan Buddha statue.

4. You can visit Tai O

Lantau Island photo by Jimfbleak-

Tai O is a fishing village located in the northwest of Lantau Island which is more than three centuries old.

However, tourists visit Tai O for its several hundred stilt houses though some of those houses have been repaired after a fire in July 2000 and others from damage caused by super typhoons and related storm surges in subsequent years.

Furthermore, Tai O retains most of its historical setting such as waterways, stilt houses, and fishing boats and it is famous for its fishing village scenery in a mountainous setting.

In addition, traditional Chinese food like salted fish and locally produced shrimp paste can be found there.

5. You can visit Tung Chung

Tung Chung was built in 1817 to thwart the opium trade and defend the coast from pirates. However, there are 6 old cannons and the enclosures are made of granite.

During world war II the Japanese army occupied the fort and in the year 1979, it was listed as one of the historical monuments of Hong Kong it was refurbished in 1988.

In addition, the ruins of the Tung Chung battery are also a historical monument and are located nearby.

6. You can visit Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland lies on the northeastern part of Lantau Island and it is approximately 2 kilometers from Discovery Bay.

However, Hong Kong Disney opened on 12^th September 2005 on a massive Land reclamation project in Penny鈥檚 Bay.

Moreover, the 1.8-billion-dollar project included a Disney theme park, three hotels, and retail, dining, and entertainment facilities stretching over 310 acres.

The project also has its own rail network linking from Sunny Bay MTR station in Yam O.

7. You can visit Trappist Haven Monastery

The Trappist Haven Monastery is at Tai Shui Hang and is home to a number of Roman Catholic monks it sits on the east coast of Lantau Island.

However, it is approximately halfway between the towns of Mui Wo and Discovery Bay. Furthermore, the Lantau Trappist congregation was established in Beijing in the 19^th century.

8. Over 50% of Lantau consists of National parks

Over 50% of Lantau consists of national parks including a large number of well-marked trails.

Moreover, the best known of these is the 70-kilometer 12-section Lantau Trail composed of the beauty of natural stone steps and dense woodland along a 3-kilometer stretch.

However, section 11 of the Lantau trails start just across the Tung Chung Road which is not far from Ngong Ping 360.

This section of the trail will reach south Lantau road at Pui O and hikers can appreciate the beauty of natural stone steps and the dense woodland along the 3 km journey. In addition, the national parks feature campsites and youth hostels.

9. You can see the Chinese white dolphins

Chinese white dolphins which are often called pink dolphins can be seen off the coast of Lantau.

However as of 2014 a marine park the southwest Lantau Marine park is being planned to protect them.

In addition, in the southern parts of Lantau Island, local residents rely on local oyster fields, and lemon and tangerine trees to make preserved fruits.

Furthermore, there are also water buffalos living in Mui Wo and Pui O.

10. There are six prisons on Lantau Island

There are six prisons on Lantau Island Chi Sun Correctional Institution which was formerly the Chi Ma Wan Drug Addiction Treatment Center, Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution, Ma Mo Ping Prison, Tung Fuk Center west of Tong Fuk, Sha Tsui Detention Center, and the maximum security Shek Pik Prison both located near Shrek Pik Reservoir.