Backpack & Budget : Lantau: An Island Escape in Hong Kong

It’s almost impossible not to feel as if you’ve reached the exotic Far East when you land on Lantau. Dominating the skyline of this island, which is only a one-hour ferry ride from Hong Kong Island, is the world’s largest outdoor bronze statue of Buddha. The massive statue and its majestic staircase were completed in December.

Hong Kong Island is one of 236 islands that, together with Lantau Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, make up Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Island’s population exceeds 1 million. When you need a break from its bustling atmosphere and jungle of high-rises, Lantau is an easy and inexpensive place to escape. It’s twice the size of Hong Kong Island, but has only about 30,000 residents. It is, however, wise to schedule visits to Lantau on weekdays to avoid the weekend holiday crowds.

Lantau is known for its beaches, hiking trails and picturesque settings such as the stilt-house fishing village of Tai O.

The 112-foot, 250-ton Tian Tan Buddha is perched on a mountaintop above the Po Lin Monastery, a temple complex that is also a popular tourist stop.

The monastery (local telephone 985-5113) formerly had limited Spartan dormitories for travelers, who would spend the night so that they could catch a glimpse of the massive statue at sunrise. Accommodations are no longer available, but travelers may purchase vegetarian meals at the monastery.

Budget lodging is available to members of Hostelling International at the S. G. Youth Hostel, a five-minute walk from the temple complex.

Travelers who decide to stay on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon can find out about budget accommodations at the Hong Kong Tourist Assn. information centers. There’s one at the Star Ferry Concourse in Kowloon, and at Shop 8 Basement, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place Central, Hong Kong Island.

The offices have information on budget accommodations in youth hostels, Y’s, guest houses, budget hotels and backpackers’ hostels (although you won’t find the independent backpackers’ hostels listed in official HKTA directories).

Hong Kong’s student travel service has its own low-rise hostel for budget travelers, located close to the Temple Street Night Market. The STB Hostel is at 2/F Great Easter Mansion, 255-261 Reclamation St., Mong Kok, Kowloon, local phone 710-9199 or fax 385-0153. Dormitory beds are available for $8.40 per night. A double room costs $36, while triples are $42.

Hong Kong is known for its inexpensive public transportation. The fast, efficient underground (which is air-conditioned) costs only from 40 cents to $1.10. A taxi from the airport to the STB hostel is about $3.50. One of the city’s best buys is the scenic eight-minute Star Ferry service between Hong Kong and Kowloon for 20 cents.

For self-guided walking tours, the HKTA also publishes five booklets, sold at its information centers for $3, with detailed maps for fishing villages, antique shops, beaches and markets.

Information on events, including the colorful festivals, is available from the HKTA office in Los Angeles (address below).

For example, on May 18, the seven-day Cheung Chau Bun Festival begins. The highlight is a parade with lion dances, drum dances and decorated floats. The Dragon Boat Festival (June 13) is one of Hong Kong’s most popular events. Stick around until Aug. 21 and you can experience Yue Land (the Hungry Ghost Festival).

For more information on Hong Kong, contact the Hong Kong Tourist Assn., 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1220, Los Angeles 90024; tel. (310) 208-4582.

Keep in mind that there is an $18 airport tax charged when you fly out of the country, and you’ll need to have it in local currency.