NGONG PING 360
NGONG PING 360 CABLE CAR IS CLOSED FROM 26TH JANUARY 2012 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND IS NOT EXPECTED TO REOPEN BEFORE EARLY APRIL 2012. THE CLOSURE IS TO ALLOW FOR REMEDIAL WORK AND ADVANCEMENT OF ANNUAL SERVICING AND EXAMINATION OF THE SYSTEM FOLLOWING RECENT TECHNICAL FAULTS
Since its opening in 2006 and despite early problems Ngong Ping 360 (NP360) has rapidly established a worldwide reputation as one of Hong Kong’s “must do” tourist experiences. NP360 allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy a 5.7 km ride on a state of the art cable car system through outstanding scenery to a culturally-themed village and its surrounding attractions at Ngong Ping located on a high plateau in the heart of mountainous Lantau Island.
The 30 year franchise for ownership of The Tung Chung Cable Car Project (as it was originally known) was awarded by the Hong Kong Government to MTR Corporation Ltd (MTRC) in 2002 after proposals for a cable car system to link Tung Chung and Ngong Ping had first been put forward some ten years earlier. Construction commenced in February 2004 and NP360 opened to the public in September 2006 having cost in the region of HK$1 billion. The cableway system was built by Italian Leitner Group, a world-leading cable way company, civil engineering and building works were carried out by Maeda Corporation and Australian company Skyrail-ITM were originally appointed as operators of the system having owned and operated one of Australia’s major tourist attractions, a rainforest cableway at Cairns in North Queensland.
Construction was undertaken in extremely difficult conditions in hazardous terrain in an area of scenic beauty in a country park and environmental impact of the project was a major consideration. One remarkable consequence of minimising such impact was that mules were used for transportation of materials in addition to helicopters being employed for construction of the towers.
The cable car system is the largest aerial cable car system of its kind (bi-cable circulating detachable cable car) and incorporates eight support towers, two angle stations (for change of direction), 112 cabins (gondolas) and all the associated ancillary equipment. The ropeway which is capable of a maximum operating speed of 7 metres per second is a circular system operating in an anti-clockwise direction enabling cabins to be detached allowing passengers to embark and disembark at a speed of 0.25 metres per second. The project also included construction of the two termini, passenger transport interchange, Ngong Ping Village and a 5.6 kms, 1.5 metre wide emergency rescue trail and helicopter landing pads. In the unlikely event of an aerial rescue of passengers stranded in cabins having to be carried out there is an elaborate rescue plan in place involving some 199 emergency workers including 179 firefighters.
NP 360 had a troubled early history. During its first nine months of operation there were numerous incidents and unscheduled service interruptions culminating in an out of operating hours incident in June 2007 when an empty cabin fell 50 metres into a valley during a manual brake test resulting in the system being closed down for some six months. The cause of the incident was human error and not electrical or mechanical defect but a report into the incident by a government appointed Expert Panel in July 2007 was highly critical of management and maintenance of the project and laid down strict criteria for its reopening which included replacement of parts, improved management and maintenance procedures, better staff training and re-testing and re-commissioning of the system. In September 2007 MTR Corp formed a new subsidiary company Ngong Ping 360 Ltd to replace Skyrail-ITM as operators who were effectively sacked. The new company is headed by a strong and highly experienced management team led by an ex-MTRC manager with over 24 years electrical and mechanical engineering experience and supported by several overseas cableway operators and engineers from Europe. The system was reopened to the public on 31st December 2007. The new operators have done much to restore public confidence and despite its earlier problems Ngong Ping 360 has quickly restored its position as one of Hong Kong’s major attractions. Maintenance procedures have been strengthened although this necessarily means the number of days the system is closed for scheduled maintenance has increased. Communication with the public has been improved so that in the event of service suspensions notices are put up at entry gates to all MTR Tung Chung Line stations as well as public announcements being made along the line and media are notified as well as notices being placed on the NP360 website. Several special promotions and joint promotions with other Hong Kong attractions have been arranged to allow NP360 visitor to enjoy various discounts. Passenger numbers have grown steadily and by August 2009 daily average patronage had reached 4,000 on weekdays, up to 8,000 at weekends and on special occasions such as Lunar New Year the system has carried as many as 13,000 passengers daily. The system is now operating at its maximum capacity of 108 cabins and in the event of passenger numbers continuing to grow the speed of travel may need to be increased thus shortening the journey time.
There were occasional minor unscheduled service interruptions since the reopening in December 2007 and the system had operated relatively trouble-free but four stoppages resulting from technical faults over a six week period during December 2011 and January 2012 have led to the system being closed from 26th January 2012, for a period expected to be about two months. In the last incident on 25th January 2012, which resulted from a worn bearing on the haul rope pulley wheel at the Airport Island Angle Station, 800 passengers were stranded for up to 90 minutes in freezing conditions. The bearing had been used for only 25,000 hours of its expected 90,000 hours lifespan. Following a thorough examination of the system it was decided to replace all seven bullwheel bearings and advance the annual servicing and examination of the system, usually carried out in June. Replacement of the bearings involves erecting frames to lift the bullwheels, each of which weighs between four and eight tonnes and the remote location of the system means helicopters need to be employed to deliver the frames, which may take weeks and could be delayed by bad weather. It is not expected that the system will reopen before early April 2012.
To offer an enhanced Ngong Ping 360 experience an initial twelve glass-bottom "Crystal Cabins" were introduced in April 2009 and more "Crystal Cabins" have since been brought into service. These cabins accommodate a maximum of ten passengers which is fewer than the maximum seventeen passengers which standard cabins can carry owing to the weight of the three-layer 5cm glass floor. The cabin exteriors feature metallic "colour-changing" paint. Prices for journeys in these cabins are about HK$50 more than the cost of travelling in a standard cabin. Ngong Ping 360 also has one "Sky Lounge" luxury private cabin for exclusive use decorated with Swarovski Elements crystals.
A new unified pricing structure for cable car journeys took effect from 1st December 2009 which ends the previous classification of operating days as normal days and special days and means ticket prices are now the same on all operating days.
In March 2010 Ngong Ping introduced "Holiday 360 Guided Tour" packages, offering options of a "Cultural and Heritage Tour of Lantau" and "The Walk to Enlightenment" and including cable car round-trip tickets although "The Walk to Enlightenment" tour has since been discontinued.
Prices increased from 1st December 2010 and a further price increase took effect from 1st December 2011.
NP 360 cable car route
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GETTING TO THE TUNG CHUNG NGONG PING 360 TERMINUS
The Tung Chung Terminus is located in Tung Chung town centre next to Citygate Outlets Mall about two minutes walk from Tung Chung MTR Station (Exit B) and is easily accessible by MTR train and several bus services.
MTR TRAIN FROM HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES
Tung Chung MTR Station is the terminus station of the MTR Tung Chung Line which starts at Hong Kong Station in Central on Hong Kong Island. The Tung Chung Line is easily accessible from the rest of the MTR network serving Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories via interchange stations on the Tung Chung Line at Hong Kong Station (Airport Express, Island Line and Tsuen Wan Line), Kowloon Station (Airport Express and from 2009 Kowloon Southern Link), Nam Cheong Station (West Rail Line), Lai King Station (Tsuen Wan Line), Tsing Yi Station (Airport Express) and Sunny Bay (Disneyland Resort Line). Trains run at intervals of 4 to 10 minutes from approx 6am to 1am and approximate journey times to Tung Chung from stations along the Tung Chung Line are;
Hong Kong Station - 32 mins
Kowloon Station – 28 mins
Olympic Station (Mongkok) – 25 mins
Nam Cheong Station – 22 mins
Lai King Station – 18 mins
Tsing Yi Station – 14 mins
Sunny Bay Station – 7 mins
BUS FROM HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON
Several bus services serve the Tung Chung Terminus. The most convenient for visitors travelling from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are Citybus services E11 and E22 to the airport (and AsiaWorld-Expo). The bus stop to disembark at is “Tung Chung Crescent, Shun Tung Road” which is the stop after Tung Chung Fire Station. The NP360 terminus is visible about 3 minutes walk away. For the return journey the bus stop is located on Tat Tung Road outside the NP360 terminus. Brief details of these services are;
Service E11 (from HK Island)
The service starts at Tin Hau Station MTR Station Bus Terminus and serves Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Central, Western Harbour Crossing and the Western Harbour Crossing Toll Plaza (Kowloon side of the harbour) before travelling via the Lantau Link. From Tin Hau the journey to Tung Chung takes about 55 minutes and buses operate at a frequency of 12 to 20 minutes from 5-20am until midnight daily.
Service E21 (from Kowloon)
The service starts at Island Harbourview inside Olympian City 1 in Mongkok and serves Cherry Street, Prince Edward MTR Station (Nathan Road), and Sham Shiu Po before travelling via the Lantau Link. From Island Harbourview the journey to Tung Chung takes about 55 minutes and buses operate at a frequency of 11 to 20 minutes from 5-30am to midnight daily.
Full route details and fares can be found by using the route search facility on the Citybus website;
https://www.nwstbus.com.hk/home/default.aspx?intLangID=1
FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES the following Long Win airport bus services may be useful to visitors;
E33 from Tuen Mun Central Bus Terminus
E34 from Tin Shui Wai Town Centre via Yuen Long
E42 from Sha Tin (Pok Hong) via Sha Tin Central Bus Terminus
All these services travel via Tung Chung and stop at “Tung Chung Crescent, Shun Tung Road” for the NP360 terminus.
Full route details and fares are available by using the route search facility on the Long Win (Kowloon Motor Bus) website;
http://www.kmb.hk/english.php?page=search
FROM HONG KONG DISNEYLAND
From Disneyland Resort Station take MTR train to Sunny Bay (4 mins) then change to Tung Chung Line for Tung Chung MTR Station (7 mins). Trains on the Disneyland Resort Line operate at a frequency of 4 to 10 minutes from 6-20am until 0-10am.
FROM HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Bus service S1 (jointly operated by Citybus and Long Win Bus Co) operates a circular route between the airport/Asia World-Expo and Tung Chung Station Bus Terminus and stops outside the NP360 terminus on Shun Tung Road on the journey from the airport. At the airport the bus stops on the road outside the passenger terminal building below the Arrivals Hall. Buses operate at a frequency of 5 to 10 minutes from 5-30am until midnight. Most buses are equipped with luggage racks. There are luggage storage facilities at the NP360 Tung Chung Terminus with a charge of HK$20 for each three hours or HK$70 for a day.
TAXI
Approximate taxi fares to the Tung Chung NP360 terminus from various districts are;
HK Island (Central) HK$300
HK Island (Causeway Bay) HK$300
Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui) HK$230
New Territories (Sha Tin) HK$290
New Territories (Tsuen Wan) HK$220
New Territories (Yuen Long) HK$290
Hong Kong International Airport HK$30
Hong Kong Disneyland HK$100
Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung Terminus
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GETTING TO THE NGONG PING TERMINUS
The NP360 Ngong Ping Terminus is served by the following New Lantao Bus Co routes;
2 – from Mui Wo Pier Bus Terminus on Lantau Island (journey time approx 35 mins), Mui Wo is accessible by ferry from Central Pier 6 on Hong Kong Island
http://www.newlantaobus.com/road_2.htm
21 – from Tai O on Lantau Island (journey time approx 15 mins)
http://www.newlantaobus.com/road_21.htm
23 – from Tung Chung (journey time approx 45 mins)
http://www.newlantaobus.com/road_23.htm
THE JOURNEY
Most passengers start the ride from Tung Chung Terminus. The 25 minute ride begins with the short hop across a sea channel to the first angle station on Chek Lap Kok (the airport island). The ride changes direction here and slowly climbs steeply over Tung Chung Bay as the hills of Lantau North Country Park loom ahead.
Climbing above Tung Chung Bay
The ride is flanked on one side by the green forested Tung Chung Valley and on the other by the north Lantau slopes and coastline whilst behind are stunning panoramic views over the airport and across the South China Sea to the New Territories.
Approaching the hills of Lantau North Country Park
As the cable car glides silently across the country park the towering Lantau Peak in the far distance ahead dominates several lower hills and peaks whilst below the journey crosses valleys, streams and forests before the slow ascent of Nei Lak Shan where the ride reaches its highest point some 560 metres above sea level.
Cabin arriving at Nei Lak Shan Angle Station, the highest point of the ride
From the second angle station the first glimpses of the Giant Buddha appear imposing a majestic air of serenity on all around.
On the gentle descent from Nei Lak Shan the majestic "Giant Buddha" is visible
The breathtaking ride continues across more valleys and woodland until the monastic buildings of Ngong Ping come into view and beyond the plateau the south Lantau coastline is visible before the journey reaches its destination at Ngong Ping Village constructed in traditional Chinese architectural style.
Approaching Ngong Ping with Nei Lak Shan in the distance
Occasionally mists can descend on the higher parts of Lantau Island particularly in early morning and under these conditions although the panoramic views can be restricted many visitors may consider the eerily haunting experience of gliding through the mist into the unknown just as exciting.
Cable car arriving at Ngong Ping Village Terminus (left)
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NGONG PING VILLAGE
Ngong Ping Village and the Giant Buddha
Ngong Ping Village is part of the Ngong Ping 360 experience. The village which opened at the same time as the cable car was constructed in traditional Chinese architectural style and designed to reflect the character of the surrounding environment. The village is home to “Walking with Buddha” and “Monkey’s Tale Theatre” attractions, “Ngong Ping Teahouse”, Ngong Ping Nature Centre and a variety of restaurants, café’s and gift shops. There is a charge for entry to “Walking with Buddha” and “Monkey’s Tale Theatre” or visitors can take advantage of the “Journey of Enlightenment Package” which includes a cable car round trip and entry to both these attractions.
Ngong Ping Village
The small "International Cable Car Gallery" opened during October 2009 at Stupa Square inside the village and has since been relocated to the village entrance. This is an exhibition of eight refurbished and decorated cable car cabins from Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, Mainland China, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
See NP360 website for details;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/booking/prices.html
Ngong Ping Village decorated for Christmas
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OTHER ATTRACTIONS AT AND AROUND NGONG PING
Ngong Ping Village is just a short walk from the Tian Tan “Giant Buddha”, Po Lin Monastery, and Wisdom Path via the new Ngong Ping Piazza which was officially opened on 2nd August 2010. The HK$77.5 million project for the 1.5 hectare piazza took almost two years to complete and features of the piazza include a new Pai Lau, Bodhi Path, Di Tan and Chinese landscaped garden. There are a number of hiking trails and scenic paths accessible from Ngong Ping including the Lantau Trail, Tung Chung Valley, and Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail (undertaken at own risk) to Tung Chung.
The historic traditional fishing village of Tai O with its stilt houses can be reached in about 15 minutes by bus service 21 from Ngong Ping or by taxi should cost no more than HK$50.
For more information on attractions at Ngong Ping and elsewhere on Lantau Island see;
http://www.hongkongextras.com/_lantau.html
Also NP360 have a useful leaflet illustrating the Ngong Ping 360 experience and other attractions on Lantau Island and this leaflet can be viewed and downloaded in several languages;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/visitor/leaflet.html
NGONG PING 360 OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturdays* and Sundays 9am to 6-30pm
MAINTENANCE DAYS
There are several dates when the system is closed for scheduled maintenance. The shutdown period is usually one day. However a shutdown of several days is usually scheduled to place around around the middle of the year. Dates are announced on the Ngong Ping 360 website.
Ngong Ping 360 is closed from 26th January 2012 until further notice and is not expected to reopen before early April 2012 (see note at top of page)
Ngong Ping Village and attractions and businesses within the village, as well as the "Giant Buddha" and Po Lin Monastery remain open during maintenance days.
ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
The cable car does not run in extremely adverse weather conditions or when Typhoon Signal 3 or higher is hoisted.
TICKET PRICES - STANDARD CABINS (from 1st December 2010)
Fares were increased from 1st December 2011 are HK$125 for an adult round trip, HK$62 child 3-11, HK$98 Hong Kong Senior Citizens. Single trip fares are HK$86 adult, HK$44 child 3-11, HK$65 Hong Kong Senior Citizens.
TICKET PRICES - GLASS-BOTTOM "CRYSTAL CABINS"
Glass-bottom "Crystal Cabins" were introduced in April 2009. The current adult fare is HK$130 one-way HK$88 child 3-11, HK$114 Hong Kong senior citizen or HK$188 return, HK$125 child 3-11, HK$161 Hong Kong senior citizen. For a round trip in Crystal Cabin from Tung Chung and Standard Cabin from Ngong Ping adult fare is HK$168 (HK$106 child 3-11, HK$142 Hong Kong senior citizen).
For further information see;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/np360_exp/crystal_cabin.html
360 SKY LOUNGE
This is a luxury private-hire cabin with exclusive use for up to six people. The fee is HK$2900 for the cabin and the package includes free entry to the "Monkey's Tale Theatre" and "Journey of Enlightenment" attractions as well as queue-free boarding. Bookings must be made in advance by phone on (852) 3666 0606
Ngong Ping 360's luxury private-hire "Sky Lounge" cabin is decorated with Swarovski Elements crystals
Additionally NP360 offers
a "JOURNEY OF ENLIGHTENMENT PACKAGE" which includes entry to the
“Monkey’s Tale Theatre” and “Walking with Buddha” attractions in Ngong
Ping Village in addition to the cable car round trip and also a Private
Cabin Service with priority boarding is available. For full details
see;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/booking/prices.html
360 HOLIDAYS GUIDED TOURS
A cable car and guided tour package is available;
THE CULTURAL AND HERITAGE TOUR OF LANTAU This tour operates four times daily and includes a round-trip between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping on the cable car, guided tours of Ngong Ping Village, Ngong Ping Piazza, Po Lin Monastery, Giant Buddha and Tai O Fishing Village and includes coach travel between Ngong Ping and Tai O. The tour is about three and a half hours duration, conducted in English and Mandarin and the cost is HK$290/230 Adult/Child in Standard Cabin or HK$350/HK$290 Adult/Child in Crystal Cabin.
Visitors need to register at the ticket counter at Tung Chung cable car terminus at least 45 minutes before the start of the tour. The tours start from Ngong Ping Village at 11-30am and 12-30pm, 2pm and 3pm.
For full details see;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/np360_exp/360_holidays.html
360 Holidays tour coach at Tai O
BOOKING
Tickets can be purchased from the Ngong Ping 360 termini at Tung Chung and Ngong Ping.
Online ticket reservations giving priority "fast lane" ticket pick-up can be made from one to seven days in advance at;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/booking/online_booking.html
Pre-dated vouchers can be purchased at MTR Customer Service Centres at Hong Kong Station, Causeway Bay Station, Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Kowloon Tong Station, Hung Hom Station, Mong Kok East Station, Tin Shui Wai Station and Tuen Mun Station or from travel agents. These vouchers are redeemable on the valid date at Ngong Ping 360 ticket counters at Tung Chung and Ngong Ping termini.
Same day tickets can only be obtained from the ticket counters at Ngong Ping 360 Tung Chung Terminal and Ngong Ping Terminal.
Octopus Card cannot currently be used for payment for tickets for travel on the cable car (for various operational reasons) but can be used in the NP360 souvenir shops.
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LUGGAGE STORAGE
There are luggage storage facilities at the NP360 Tung Chung Terminus which may be useful for visitors in transit to or from Hong Kong International Airport. There are 20 lockers each 84cm(H) x 40cm(W) x 87cm(D). Charges are HK$20 for each 3 hours or HK$70 for a day.
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
Special promotions and joint promotions are usually available allowing visitors to enjoy a range of discounts and benefits. Up to date details of current special promotions are available on the NP360 website;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/visitor/promotion.asp#carbin
PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
A promotional video can be viewed here;
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=6W-baz8JThY
..............AND FINALLY!
If you enjoy your visit you can join the Official Ngong Ping 360 Fan Club at Facebook. You can also view and share photos and view more videos at the Ngong Ping Guest Corner;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/guest/guest.html