Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island, has a relatively small population and preserves a great deal of nature. Over the past decade, the ultra-sleek new airport was built here, as were AsiaWorld-Expo and Disneyland, but these developments have not spoilt the natural beauty or the historic and spiritual sights located on other parts of the island. Many of these areas have been enhanced with visitor-friendly facilities and are more accessible than ever, giving visitors a chance to experience this quieter side of Hong Kong.

Getting to Ngong Ping in western Lantau once required an arduous bus ride, but with the cable car system that opened two years ago, it is now an enjoyable and lofty journey to some of the island’s most popular attractions. The 25-minute ride from Tung Chung MTR station to Ngong Ping is convenient, with stunning views of the landscape and the South China Sea along the way.

Ngong Ping is a plateau which houses the Po Lin Monastery, a major Buddhist landmark built in 1924. The monastery’s biggest attraction is the Tian Tan Buddha (also known as the Big Buddha), the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. Worshippers from all over the world make pilgrimages to gaze upon the sculpture’s serene expression. The enormous figure sits upon a lotus-shaped pedestal and is surrounded by eight statues of immortals or gods, and its raised hand represents the removal of affliction. Visitors can climb the 260 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha sits for an incredible view of Lantau.

Inside the Big Buddha’s lotus pedestal is a three-storey exhibition hall which displays precious Buddhist artefacts and paintings as well as a large carved bell that is rung every seven minutes – that’s 108 times a day, which symbolises the releasing of 108 troubles of mankind. Po Lin Monastery also houses a main hall of two storeys with elaborate wall paintings and decorations, a tea garden which serves inexpensive food and tea grown on its own plantation, and several vegetarian restaurants where visitors can experience a bit of monastic life.

Adjacent Ngong Ping Village is a new development set up with traditional Chinese architecture to complement the surrounding environment and spirituality, offering dining, shopping and entertainment to visitors. One of the attractions is ‘Walking with Buddha’, a multimedia path that takes visitors on a journey through Buddha’s life and explains some Buddhist teachings. Ngong Ping Tea House offers food, fine teas and demonstrations of Chinese tea ceremonies by professional tea masters.

Just a short walk from the monastery is Wisdom Path, which is both a public art space and a deeply spiritual plot of nature. The path features an arrangement of 38 giant wood columns with Chinese calligraphy written in large brush strokes. The written words are of Heart Sutra, a profound text revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists. Walking along Wisdom Path can be a special experience for many, even the non-religious, because of the peaceful surroundings and beautiful mountainous backdrop.

Other parts of the island also have remarkable places of interest with rich histories. Tung Chung is being rapidly developed with its MTR station and new housing projects, but the historical Tung Chung Fort still stands as an interesting part of Lantau history. The fort was built in the early 1800s and was taken over by the Japanese during the World War II occupation. Over the years, it has been used for various offices and schools but still retains its impressive walls, structures and six muzzle-loading cannons – the cannons once pointed out to sea but now aim at apartment buildings. Get there by taxi from Tung Chung MTR station.

On the east side of the island in Mui Wo is Man Mo Temple, which is dedicated to the gods of literature (‘Man’) and war (‘Mo’). It is believed that this temple was built over 400 years ago. Worshippers light incense and pray for good fortune, and large incense rings hang from the ceiling, lending to its smoky and mysterious atmosphere. Mui Wo can be reached by ferry from Central or bus from Tung Chung.

Lantau’s spiritual experience is not limited to Buddhism, as the island also has the Trappist Haven Monastery (officially called Our Lady of Joy Abbey) also on the east side, off a hiking trail between Mui Wo and Discovery Bay. The quiet monastery is home to Roman Catholic monks of the Cistercian order who take a vow of absolute silence. Locals know the monastery as a place that used to produce a brand of bottled milk, but the milk factory has since been relocated.

Houses built upon precarious stilts over waterways are the main attraction at Tai O on Lantau’s western coast. This 300-year-old fishing community’s residents are descendents of the original boat people who settled here. The sleepy town is nicknamed the ‘Venice of Hong Kong’ because of its watery appearance and somewhat dilapidated state; its primitive structures are part of its charm, as is the lore of pirates and smuggling associated with the village. There are some interesting markets to explore, mostly of dried fish products, as well as several temples. Chinese white dolphins, which are actually an unusual pink colour, are often spotted in the waters right off Tai O’s shores, and many locals offer to take tourists out on their boats for a chance to glimpse the rare creatures. Tai O can be reached by bus from Tung Chung and Mui Wo.