The nearest town to the airport on Lantau Island, gateway to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car and Big Buddha.

About Tung Chung

Tung Chung is the residential new town closest to Hong Kong International Airport, situated at the base of Lantau Island's mountainous interior. Its primary draw for visitors is as the departure point for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, a spectacular 25-minute gondola ride over Lantau's lush green hills to the Ngong Ping Plateau, where the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)—a 34-meter bronze statue—and the Po Lin Monastery await.

The town itself centers on Citygate Outlets, one of Hong Kong's largest outlet malls featuring international brands at discounted prices, making it a popular last stop before flights. The Tung Chung MTR station connects the town to the rest of Hong Kong via the Tung Chung Line.

The surrounding area offers unexpected nature: the Tung Chung Fort (a Qing Dynasty relic), the Tung Chung Bay mangrove boardwalk, and the start of the Lantau Trail hiking paths are all accessible from the town. For travelers with layovers, Tung Chung provides the quickest meaningful sightseeing experience near the airport.

Nearby Landmarks

Ngong Ping 360 Tian Tan Buddha Citygate Outlets Tung Chung Fort Po Lin Monastery

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost HK$40-50 (~$5-6 USD)
Time 10 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Train (S1 Bus + Tung Chung Line MTR)

Cost HK$4 (bus only)
Time 15 minutes
Frequency Every 10-15 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Exit the terminal and find bus stop S1 outside the arrivals hall. Take bus S1 to Tung Chung Town Centre (10 min, HK$3.80). Alight at Citygate Outlets. For Ngong Ping 360, walk 5 min to the cable car terminal.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi HK$40-50 (~$5-6 USD) 10 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Train HK$4 (bus only) 15 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The S1 bus runs until about 12:30 AM. Taxis are available 24/7 from the airport and cost only HK$30-45 ($4-6) to Tung Chung. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car closes around 6 PM on weekdays (6:30 PM weekends). Citygate Outlets is open until 10 PM.

Luggage Tips

Bus S1 has luggage space. For layover visits, luggage storage is available at HKG airport (HK$70-160/day per bag). Citygate Outlets has no luggage lockers. The Ngong Ping cable car accommodates bags but large suitcases are impractical.

Accessibility

Bus S1 is wheelchair accessible. Tung Chung MTR station has elevators and barrier-free access. Citygate Outlets is fully accessible. The Ngong Ping 360 has accessible gondola cabins (request in advance). The Big Buddha platform involves steep stairs—a shuttle bus alternative is available.