The cable car ride to Ngong Ping on Lantau Island - on Wednesday morning - gave us our second consecutive day of an awesome aerial view of Hong Kong and its mountains and skyscrapers. As the 15-minute ride neared its end, the Giant Buddha - which sat on Lantau Peak, the second tallest peak in Hong Kong - emerged.
Whether from far away on the cable car or up close after climbing a series of 200 or so steps to reach a circular ledge atop the peak, the Giant Buddha is very striking.
Completed in 1993, the Giant Buddha is the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha and symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion. It is a major center of Buddhism in Hong Kong (thanks, Wikipedia).
A woman made the climb to the top by stopping every few steps to bow down to Buddha.
On the perimeter's ledge are other stone statues that are equally striking. In an indoor area below the Buddha, the walls are lined with small memorial tablets - purchased by families in honour of deceased loved ones. Among them is a tablet for late Hong Kong actress/singer Anita Mui - who is considered the Asian equivalent to Madonna. Her tablet area is particularly decorated with flowers and news clippings. Many visitors stopped to observe.
We were blessed with another great day but the morning was also quite hot and sticky. As I put my first scoop of green tea and chocolate gellato - purchased on the mountain top gellato store - in my mouth, it was so nice cold and refreshing. Just what Buddha prescribed.
2 comments:
i love those three sculptures.
Yes, I remember you have a picture with those sculptures too on your fridge - from your trip to HK all those years ago.
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