Ngong Ping 360
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The logo of Ngong Ping 360 |
Ngong Ping 360 () of the
MTR is a
cable car system in
Hong Kong serving between
Tung Chung, where it connects the MTR
Tung Chung station, and
Ngong Ping, where the
Po Lin Monastery and
Tian Tan Buddha are located. Ngong Ping 360 is owned by the
MTR Corporation Limited. However, it is built and operated by Skyrail-ITM. Between the two terminals at Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, the cable cars run across the southern shore of the
Hong Kong International Airport island and the
Nei Lak Shan, with eight towers including the stations. The project was known as
Tung Chung Cable Car Project before branded as such in
April 2005.
It was originally scheduled to open on
24 June 2006. However, as some of the technical problems have not been solved, the Skyrail-ITM has announced to postpone the opening day.
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The Tung Chung Terminal of Ngong Ping 360 in construction (retrieved 11 June 2005) |
The Ngong Ping 360 experience includes a 5.7 km
Cable Car trip with an imposing cultural themed Village, and easy access to the
Tian Tan Buddha, the world's largest, seated, outdoor, bronze Big
Buddha statue, rising an impressive 26 metres into the air. It commences with a journey on the Ngong Ping Skyrail. This is a visually spectacular 20 to 25 minute cable car journey, travelling between its Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Terminals. Disembarking from the cable car at the Ngong Ping Terminal, Ngong Ping 360's guests begin another facet of their experience, a visit to the
Ngong Ping Village.
The Ngong Ping Village occupies a 15,000 square metre site and has been designed to mirror and uphold the cultural and spiritual veracity of the Ngong Ping area. Traditional
Chinese architectural designs are a feature of the Ngong Ping Village, which contains an assortment of shopping and dining experiences, on top of a number of key attractions counting Walking With Buddha, the Monkey's Tale Theatre and the Ngong Ping Tea House.
Ngong Ping 360 provides people of all ages and interests with a really unique experience. For locals it is an escape from the hustling city. For tourists it will be a must-do attraction, which can be a complete day tour or flexible experience, and for passengers in transit this is the best way to maximise a short stay in Hong Kong and enjoy the best views available in the city.
"Ngong Ping 360" has been chosen as the official name for this new tourism attraction, which refers to the amazing, panoramic views that visitors will enjoy from the cable car. It will be managed by
Skyrail-ITM (Hong Kong) Ltd, whose Australian parent company built and operates the world-famous
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in
Cairns,
Australia.
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The map of the Ngong Ping 360 system |
The cable car journey will offer an attractive 20 to 25 minute aerial alternative to the current one-hour journey by
Tung Chung Road, allowing visitors to glide across
Tung Chung Bay and up to
Lantau Island towards the cultural and environmental charms of
Ngong Ping Plateau.
The Cableway starts at the
Tung Chung Terminal, runs across Tung Chung Bay to an
Angle Station on
Airport Island, where it turns through some 60 degree before returning across Tung Chung Bay. It then runs up the
North Lantau Country Park to another angle station near
Nei Lak Shan, before finally descending to the
Ngong Ping Terminal.
During the 20 to 25 minute scenic journey, travellers will experience spectacular 360 degree panoramic views over the North Lantau Country Park, the
South China sea,
Hong Kong International Airport, the Tung Chung valley, Ngong Ping Plateau and surrounding terrain and waterways. The trip will culminate in a spectacular view of "The Big Buddha" and the
Po Lin Monastery as visitors approach Ngong Ping.
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A Cable Car of Ngong Ping 360 cable rail system |
The Corporation has adopted a continuous circulating bi-cable aerial ropeway system for the Project, which features a superb level of travelling comfort, safety and reliability. Between the Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Terminals, the 5.7 km cableway will change direction twice at the two Angle Stations, one on the south shore of
Chek Lap Kok; the other west of Nei Lak Shan within the Lantau North Country Park. The cable car cabin will have a modern design with seating for ten and standing room for another seven.
A lot of emphasis was placed during the design development stage on harmonising the cable car development with the surrounding environment. As a result, all the terminals and angle stations are designed with unique character to blend in with the ambience. The themed village has been designed to reflect and maintain the cultural and spiritual integrity of the Ngong Ping area, and to complement the existing attractions in the area and the cable car ride.
The cableway and the cable cars come from the
Leitner Group. A continuous circulating bi-cable aerial ropeway system, where the track cable acts as a rail in the sky and the haul cable pulls the cable cars, allows long spans between towers, a smooth and comfortable ride for a large number of passengers. The system has been selected for its superior ride quality and high standards of safety and reliability and will be the first to be installed in Hong Kong.
The cableway will be supported by 8 towers. The cable car cabin will have a modern design with seating for 10 and standing room for another 7. It will also incorporate assertive features to meet the needs of disabled passengers, including elderly and
wheelchair users. The system will have a capacity of 3,500 people per hour in each direction.
Construction of the Project started at the beginning of
2004. The Cableway will have 8 towers, 5 of them located within the country park. Progress to date has been good, overall over 90% of the work has been completed:
*At both terminals (Tung Chung and Ngong Ping) and the Airport Island Angle Station the installation of the cable car system has commenced.
*The Ngong Ping village construction is underway and the adjacent Passenger Transport Interchange has been completed.
*In the Country Park the foundations for all towers have been substantially completed and superstructure works are in progress.
*Completed and running as of April 24th.
*On 17 June 2006, during the trial-run with the maximum running of 109 cable cars, a cable car arriving Ngong Ping station had a slight collision with a late departing cable car. The entire system was automatically halted by the safety system. 500 people in the cars were trapped for three hours. A further 600 visitors were trapped at the Ngong Ping station. After the incident, all trial-runs were cancelled, and the commencement date of the system was postponed.
*
Tung Chung (MTR)*
MTR*
MTR Corporation Limited*
Ngong Ping*
Environmental report of the project*
Official website*
Details from MTR Corporation Limited website*
Sustainability Advisory Board for the Tung Chung Cable Car Projectzh-yue:昂坪360
