Ngong Ping 360

Ngong Ping 360 (Chinese: 昂坪360; Jyutping: ngong4 ping4 saam1 luk6 ling4, Cantonese) is a bicable gondola lift on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

Intended to improve tourism to the area, the aerial lift was previously known as Tung Chung Cable Car Project before acquiring the Ngong Ping 360 brand in April 2005.

Following a feasibility study, the Hong Kong government issued an invitation in 2000 for detailed proposals and tender for a 30-year franchise on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis for the global project of operation, management and maintenance of a cable car system linking Tung Chung and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island.

The Tourism Commission declared the objective of the project was to increase the range of attractions to visitors to enhance Hong Kong's position as a leading tourist destination in the region.

Target timing was to identify a successful proponent by the end of 2001 and to commence operation of the cable car system before early 2006.

In keeping with feng shui traditions, Skyrail-ITM sold just 1,688 tickets for the maiden day's run on 18 September at HK$88 each, the numbers being considered lucky.

The line remained out of service until 23 December when it underwent one week of trial run involving 40,000 visitors riding for free.

Ngong Ping Cable Car is a 5.7-kilometre (3.5 mi) long bi-cable gondola lift system (referred to by its operators as a "cable car") linking 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).

During the 25-minute journey, travellers can see 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.

[21] Designed by Aedas, also the architect of the project,[22] the line uses a continuous circulating twin cable aerial ropeway system, technically described as a bicable gondola lift.

Between the Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Terminals, the 5.7 km cableway changes 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.

Whilst the gondola cabins are temporarily detached from the cables at each angle station, there are no passenger loading or unloading facilities at these points.

Map of the Ngong Ping 360 system. The terminals are shown with the green circles
Map of the Ngong Ping 360 system, with the MTR's Tung Chung line and Airport Express partially shown
Ngong Ping 360 cable car riding through the peak
A Ngong Ping 360 "Crystal Cabin". The Crystal Cabin features a glass bottom floor.