Flying high above Hong Kong Airport without leaving the city

by Martin Moodie |
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Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie is the Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report.
Those with vertigo look away now

I’m a Flying Kiwi again but this time via a very different kind of flight.

The photos in this Blog are taken from the Ngong Ping Cable Car that takes visitors on a breathtaking ride to and from Tung Chung to Nong Ping Village, home to Hong Kong’s famed Big Buddha.

Whenever I have overseas guests in town, I always take them on this journey, partly I confess because I enjoy it so much.

A big part of that personal enjoyment stems from the views the cable car offers of Hong Kong International Airport, my home airport for the past four years.

I doubt there is any better perspective of an airport worldwide. As an airport aficionado I find it enthralling to be able to simultaneously view the runways, passenger and cargo terminals, and other facilities while seeing planes take off and land against the magnificent backdrop of the South China Sea and the islands and hills far beyond in the distance.

From this height, one of the world’s greatest airports almost resembles a model, with little toy planes coming in to land or roaring along the runways. But it’s very much the real thing. Next time you visit Hong Kong, let me know. I reckon I might be the best tour guide in town.

A Cathay Pacific aircraft takes off towards Mainland China

Since 2018 the experience has been further enriched by being able to view the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge, a majestic 55km stretch of road that ranks as the world’s longest bridge-tunnel sea crossing.

This panoramic shot shows where the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge descends dramatically into a 6km tunnel
The architectural wonder stretches for 55km across the South China Sea {Photo: Arup.com)

And of course when you get to Ngong Ping, you will encounter a different form of majestic wonder in the vast shape of The Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha), Lantau’s most-famed attraction.

The wondrous 26.4m-tall outdoor bronze Buddha statue sits in serenely imposing grandeur atop the peak of Mount Muk Yue, facing north towards Beijing. It was modelled after Siddhartha, who achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

According to website np360.com.hk, the right hand’s ‘imparting fearlessness’ mudra (hand gesture) indicates compassion to save all sentient beings from their sufferings. The left hand rests on the Buddah’s lap, its ‘fulfilling wishes’ mudra implying the vow to grant blessing and happiness to all.

The 250-tonne structure also symbolises the stability of Hong Kong, the prosperity of China and peace on Earth. In a world gone wrong in so many ways, such symbolism resonates more deeply than ever. ✈

{Photo: np360.com.hk}