Riding the Hong Kong Gondola

It's formal name is the Ngong Ping 360 Gondola and it turns a couple of corners while transporting riders 5.7 kilometers (a bit over 3 1/2 miles) from a spot near a subway stop not far from HKG (Hong Kong International Airport) up to a high vantage point on Lantau Island.

The views are spectacular as we watch the "toy" airplanes taking off and landing far below.

We beat the crowds Sunday morning, and took a quick walk through the very touristy shopping village at the top before climbing back in to a gondola that we had all to ourselves. We've visited the giant seated Buddha and nearby monastery previously, and were content to admire it from a distance on this hot and humid morning.

This is our third time riding this gondola and we'd gladly ride it again - the views are amazing.