Jeff B.
Yelp
(Rode 01/05/19 SA @ 1:00pm): The most scenic - 360° - way to get to and see Lantau Island!
Who knew my friend and I would travel on TWO separate cable car attractions - in this case the Ngong Ping 360 - while on a three-week vacation throughout Southeast Asia!? We had a long layover in Hong Kong and wanted to experience some of the landmarks on Lantau Island which was relatively close to the airport with the aid of some additional trasnportation. Once we sorted out the logistic details, finally made our way to the terminal, and took the roundtrip ride, would it be something we'd want to do again when back in Hong Kong!?
PURCHASE
Roundtrip Standard Cable Car Ride (235.00 HKD/30.00 USD x2): Another option was the Crystal Cable Car which offered a clear bottom floor that basically allowed you see everything. With a maximum seating for 8 comfortably https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=chvaaVmFSPqDf8vCTty_1g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, this approximately 20-minute journey each way offered you the "ooohs and aaahs" of exceptional views with ample opportunities for breathtaking pictures as you seemingly climbed through a range of climates before you settled down onto the island. Sadly, the weather wasn't cooperating with us as the cloud layers were thick and deep at times as we elevated to the top, but it was an enjoyable ride nonetheless.
SERVICE
Every review I read strongly recommended that you pre-purchased tickets online before you arrived. But to our pleasant surprise, as horrible as the queue lines looked https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mrhSOMtQD9wGAjFVk-4YVA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, we actually made it in barely 30 minutes from the time we first got in line, to the ticket window, and ultimately into a cable car! Throughout the entire time, staff members directed wayward people as they constantly shouted out about the lack of visibility along the ride https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=qISXIkNsFgShtpeQ8aVZhQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw and at the top so people "shouldn't" be surprised, the young male at the ticket window was very friendly and got us in-and-out in minutes, and finally at boarding we were coraled in an orderly manner - except for the effing family of 13 who held-up the line until the staff basically ushered them along - into awaiting cable cars. Outstanding job by everyone!
PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance)
The two main modes of transportation to Lantau Island was either the cable cars or buses. I honestly couldn't recall any cars but saw parking lots where numerous buses parked, so I imagined there was parking for smaller vehicles, too.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Ummm...you were in an enclosed cable car with four viewable sides (five if you reserved the crystal car) with two benches that seated four each. As for the facility itself, there was a long staircase to the base where then the lines cutbacked and switchbacked both to the ticket counter and loading dock. Here were some views https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=0szU8R_4-BPno7F-8ynhEg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw you might see solely dependent on the weather https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=inma2sCsSL4jH1VfZhvHTQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
It was cool to take the more scenic route https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=xgvyVszjJJdgS5olltENZA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw to the top of Lantau Island by way of the Ngong Ping 360 and would consider it again. However, unless I were traveling with someone who hadn't been to Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery which were the main landmark attractions where the cable cars let you out, I would probably find an alternative mode of transportation to get to the island (Hong Kong Disneyland was also on the island). Although I initially felt it was somewhat pricey, I later was fine with it as long as it went to maintenance and for the exceptional staff. I found exceptionally good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around 470.00 HKD/60.00 USD BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 4.5 STARS