The ultimate itinerary for a family weekend on Lantau Island with kids

Written by Little Steps Asia

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Lantau Island is calling! The largest of Hong Kong’s islands, this haven of green trails, gorgeous beaches, yummy restaurants and kid-friendly adventures has everyone excited. Below is a guide to visiting the island, unique places to stay with kids, and your 48-hour itinerary covering all the fun that Lantau has to offer!

DAY 1: MUI WO ADVENTURES

On day one, explore Mui Wo by bicycle, visit nearby waterfalls and discover a secret cave. Finish the day with a sunset dinner on one of the best beaches in Lantau.

Morning

Have breakfast (or get something to go) and take an early ferry from Central to Mui Wo. On arrival, rent individual adults and kids bikes or surrey bikes for four (the latter are very popular with families traveling with young kids).

Hop on your bikes and make your way down the Silvermine Bay Promenade towards the Silvermine Beach Resort. You can park your bikes here and continue by foot through the village toward the waterfalls. Follow the path along the Olympic Trail for around 20 minutes. This is a very easy stroll for all ages making it one of the easiest waterfalls to reach with kids in all of Hong Kong. Enjoy the morning splashing and swimming in Lantau’s glorious nature. Adventure seekers can climb up above the waterfall to explore the Silvermine Cave, named for all the silver that was mined here years ago.

Lunch

Make your way back to grab your bikes and head to one of Mui Wo’s excellent family-friendly restaurants. China Beach Club, one of the favourites in Mui Wo, is on the other side of Silvermine Beach Resort toward the end of the bay. This restaurant offers a rustic beach vibe with stunning views of the bay and they take good care of kids of all ages. Other favourites for lunch include The Kitchen and China Bear (waterfront dining near the ferry pier). After lunch, return your bikes or keep them for a few more hours of exploring around Mui Wo.

Afternoon

Hit the beach! Take a taxi or bus to Lower Cheung Sha and set up camp for the afternoon. This beach offers some of the cleanest swimming waters in Hong Kong. Rent sea sporting gear from Long Coast Seasports. They also can arrange a family or child sea sporting lesson.

Evening

Bathers is a go-to for family-friendly happy hour and dinner. The menu ranges from healthy salads to seafood dishes to burgers and pastas. They have a wonderful kids’ menu, offer highchairs, and cater to families. As it is located on the beach, kids can roam while mum and dad sip sangria. Be sure to check out oh-so-cute The Lantau Grocer next door for sustainable delights and coffee too.

Another option on Lower Cheung Sha Beach is Long Island offering delicious beachside food and drinks. If you’re here before dark and the kids still have energy to burn there are plenty of fun water toys to rent.

DAY 2: TAI O ADVENTURES

On day two, take the family to the other side of Lantau. Visit the famous Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and Wisdom Path. Explore Tai O, the oldest fishing village in Hong Kong, and taste some of the best Hong Kong snacks along the way. Take a boat with the kids before you visit a secret infinity pool.

Morning

Tai O Bakery is famous for creating the best Chinese sugar doughnuts in Hong Kong (your kids will love these)! They only do small batch baking so the best time to try these are in the morning. Solo Café is a small cafe serving up handcrafted artisanal coffees and offers guests a cute terrace right by the water. It opens a bit later (around 10am) but is worth a slow coffee.

You can also join a boat tour, wander through the stilted village of Tai O, and go on a hike to view the Man Cheung Po ‘infinity pool’ (Tai O waterfalls).

Tai O is very famous for its street snacks, so it’s worth a walk around to taste the local creations. Chueng Choi Kee offers dried shrimp paste and pork rolls. Cha Kwo Choi sells cha guo (tea dumplings) that are delicious. There is also tea to try, BBQ squid jerky and so much more. For families looking for a food tour, book with Hong Kong Greeters, which caters to families and will take you and your group on a foodie and cultural adventure around Tai O. They can arrange the whole day of fun and you will learn a lot about Tai O, pirates in Hong Kong and the food! When it’s time to leave Tai O, you’ll easily spot the bus terminus and taxi stand (beside the public toilets). A blue taxi or bus 21 will take you up to your next stop — The Big Buddha at Ngong Ping.

Afternoon

The Big Buddha Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is one of Hong Kong's top attractions and when you see this structure, you will understand why. This massive statue sits next to Po Lin Monastery Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info and symbolises the harmonious relationship between man, nature, people and faith. Climb the stairs to visit the Buddha (it’s free to climb but if you are looking to go inside, there is a small fee), then head down for a visit to the monastery. There is a vegetarian restaurant here for those seeking a bite to eat, but it closes early.

You can also take a short walk to Wisdom Path Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info , a unique trail lined with wooden monuments inscribed with the Heart Sutra prayer. Kids especially enjoy this walk as there is a lot to see! After your exploration, visit nearby Ngong Ping Village, which offers both shops and restaurants.

By now you’ll have spotted the cable cars — it’s time to enjoy the ride. Ngong Ping Cable Car will send your family sky high in a gondola from Ngong Ping to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal. Expect to see stunning 360-degree views as you glide over the city’s countryside. Book the Crystal Cabin for glass-bottom thrills. Note, the last ride is at 6pm so be sure to plan ahead and arrive slightly early.

From Tung Chung, it’s easy to make your way back to the city by MTR or bus. Alternatively, if you are staying a bit longer and want a unique Lantau local favourite for dinner, book a table at The Gallery in Tong Fuk. It’s delicious and kid-friendly too.

Looking for more family fun? Check out these Hong Kong attractions for families of all ages.

HOW TO GET TO (AND AROUND) LANTAU ISLAND

Lantau Island can be accessed by a few different routes. On the island, only special licensed cars and blue taxis are allowed. During busy periods, moving around via taxi is limited but there are public bus routes connecting the island’s main beaches and attractions.

Ferry (Central Ferry Pier 6–Mui Wo): This is the easiest way to reach Lantau Island from Central. Be sure to check the ferry schedule for slow and fast ferry timings. The slow ferry is ideal if you are traveling with a pet or bringing along your own bike, otherwise, fast ferries will get you from Central Ferry Pier 6 to Mui Wo in 40 minutes.
MTR + taxi or bus: You can take the MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung Station and then take a blue Lantau taxi or bus onwards.

WHERE TO STAY ON LANTAU ISLAND WITH KIDS

For those up for the outdoor adventure, Lantau is a famous place to go camping! There are various public camp sites throughout, including Pui O Beach, which also offers tent rentals. For those seeking a glamping experience, family-friendly Welcome Beach offers caravan rentals and barbeques on Cheung Sha Beach Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info .

Treasure Island Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info in Pui O also offers glamping options as well as cabanas near the beach. Perks for booking Treasure Island include a wide range of activities for kids with a groovy beach bar for early morning coffees and afternoon craft beers. On Lower Cheung Sha Beach, families can book caravans or safari tents from Long Coast Seasports. For luxury stays, there is one hotel on Lantau Island to book and that is Tai O Heritage Hotel. Built under British rule as a police station, this beautifully renovated boutique property has nine rooms and a slew of unique dining and cultural experiences to explore with the kids around the stilted village of Tai O. A mid-range option in Mui Wo is Silvermine Beach Resort. This hotel is very quirky with perks focused around its location including bike rentals, and a large pool.

Information in this article is subject to change without advance notice. Please contact the relevant product or service providers for enquiries.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board disclaims any liability as to the quality or fitness for purpose of third party products and services; and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy or reliability of any information contained herein.