Lantau Island, Island in Hong Kong.
Lantau Island is an island in Hong Kong that stretches across two administrative districts and includes both mountainous terrain and coastal areas. The landscape shifts from dense forests inland to quiet bays and sandy beaches along the shoreline.
Small fishing settlements shaped the island for centuries until construction of the international airport began in the late 1990s. Infrastructure grew rapidly with the opening of the airport express link and new residential areas in Tung Chung.
The name comes from the Cantonese term for "big island," referring to its role as the largest landmass in Hong Kong's archipelago. Fishermen still bring offerings to small coastal temples before heading out to sea.
Reaching the island involves taking a ferry from Central Pier, a bus from different parts of the city, or the cable car from Tung Chung for direct access to the mountain plateau. Sturdy footwear helps on hiking trails that wind through wooded slopes and over rocky paths.
Wild water buffalo roam through remote valleys and graze on meadows far from main paths. White dolphins sometimes swim close to shore at certain southern beaches.
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