
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour 2025 | 11 Must-Visit Spots, Online Application/Fees/Lottery Tips
The 'Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour Plan' has added new attractions for local self-drive tours, and since its launch, the response has been enthusiastic. In light of this, the government will relax the plan, changing the quota distribution from first-come-first-served to a lottery system. The daily quota will increase from 25 to 50, with 10 quotas reserved exclusively for electric vehicles. Kwiksure is here to share details on applying for the Lantau Island self-drive tour, including application steps, fees, and lottery tips, as well as recommending 11 must-visit spots on Lantau Island.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | Application Eligibility
- Vehicles must be private cars.
- Applicants can be individuals, companies, or organizations.
- Must hold a valid Hong Kong full driving license.
- Applicants must obtain the consent of the vehicle owner before submitting vehicle information for the "Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour" plan.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | Application and Lottery Result Announcement Times
The quota for the Lantau Island self-drive tour is divided into two stages: the first stage is the lottery, and the second stage is first-come-first-served. The first stage will distribute quotas through a lottery. If there are remaining quotas after the first round of the lottery, a second round will be held. If there are still remaining quotas after the second round, the system will issue them on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants will be notified of the lottery results via email or can check the results on the Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour website.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour 2024 | 11 Must-Visit Spots, Online Application/Fees/Lottery Tips
Green: Application Dates
Blue: Lottery Result Announcement
Pink: Remaining Quotas Announcement
Red: Accepting Remaining Quota Applications
First Stage: First Round Lottery
Application Time: 7:00 AM on the 1st of each month to 11:59 PM on the 5th
Lottery Result Announcement: 6th or 7th of each month
First Stage: Second Round Lottery
Application Time: 7:00 AM on the 8th of each month to 11:59 PM on the 10th
Lottery Result Announcement: 11th of each month
Second Stage: First-Come-First-Served
If there are remaining quotas after the second round of the lottery, the system will announce them on the 13th of each month. The system will accept remaining quota applications starting from 7:00 AM on the 14th, issued on a first-come-first-served basis. Successful applicants must pay the permit fee immediately.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | Application/Lottery Process
1. Submit the application on the "Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour Plan" website within the Hong Kong Government One-Stop Portal.
2. Enter the vehicle registration number and the registered owner’s ID number.
3. Choose the date(s) to enter South Lantau Island (only dates for the next month are available, with a maximum of 3 departure dates).
4. Enter applicant details, including name, address, and contact number, and select to receive the permit electronically or by mail.
5. Review and submit the application to complete the process.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | Payment Instructions
First Round Lottery Success: Pay HK$75 permit fee on the 6th or 7th of each month (payment methods include FPS, credit card, or bank transfer).
Second Round Lottery Success: Pay HK$75 permit fee on the 11th or 12th of each month (payment methods include FPS, credit card, or bank transfer).
First-Come-First-Served: Immediate payment of permit fee required.
*Failure to complete payment within the specified time will result in the cancellation of the application, and the quota will be released for redistribution.*
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | Permit Collection Arrangements
Applicants may choose to collect a paper permit or an electronic permit. If opting for a paper permit and the application date is less than 5 working days before the entry date, the applicant or their authorized representative must collect the permit in person at the New Territories District Office of the Transport Department.
Address: 7/F, Mong Kok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Kowloon
If the application date is 5 working days or more before the entry date, the Transport Department will mail the permit to the applicant.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | Important Notes
Watch out for cattle, especially on Yuen Long Road (including near Shui Kou), Cheung Shan Road, Tai O Road, and Tung Chung Road where 26 "Watch for Cattle" signs are installed.
Each private car may participate in the "Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour" plan once per month.
Access to Lantau Island's restricted roads is from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM (excluding public holidays), and drivers must leave the restricted area by 7 PM.
Note the speed limits on South Lantau roads, some as low as 30 km/h. Speed cameras are present on some roads.
There is only one electric vehicle charging station in South Lantau, located at Mui Wo. It is recommended to fully charge your vehicle before departure.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | Parking Spots (Private Car Parking Availability)
- Tai O, Salt Field, Long Sheng Street (30)
- Near Tai O Bus Terminus (97)
- Near Tai O Entrance (18)
- Near Ngong Ping Bus Terminus (22)
- Near Shek Pik Reservoir (10)
- Near Cheung Sha Beach (28)
- Near Tong Fuk (25)
- Near Shui Hau (19)
- Near Pui O (24)
- Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, near the Ferry Pier (81)
- Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, near New Territories Rural Committee South District Secondary School (149)
- Mui Wo Silver Mine Bay Road, near Mui Wo Government Offices (19)
- Mui Wo Silver Street, near Mui Wo Market (53)
- Mui Wo Silver Tree Street, near Mui Wo Playground (9)
Kwiksure Tip: Parking spots in Ngong Ping and Cheung Sha are generally easier to find, while those in Mui Wo, Tai O, and Pui O tend to be more crowded.
Lantau Island Self-Drive Tour | 11 Must-Visit Spots
1. Tai O Fishing Village
Established during the Ming Dynasty, Tai O Fishing Village features stilt houses and is known as the "Venice of the East." Enjoy local delicacies like hidden Auntie’s tea cakes, Tai O bakery’s deep-fried dough, and shrimp paste cakes from Cheung Choi Kee.
2. Heart Sutra Grove
Located on Phoenix Mountain, the Heart Sutra Grove features 38 rosewood pillars inscribed with the Heart Sutra by Master Rao Zongyi. The serene environment enhances a peaceful mind.
3. Sham Wat Village
A hidden village offering panoramic sea views and sights of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Chek Lap Kok. Local shops and tea stalls offer tofu pudding and oyster cakes. Note that the access road is narrow and winding.
4. Cheung Sha Beach
Hong Kong’s longest beach at 3 kilometers, perfect for water sports like windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and surfing. The area has several unique restaurants and coffee shops, so booking in advance is recommended.
5. Shek Pik Reservoir Viewing Platform
Located on the east side of Shek Pik Reservoir, this platform offers views of the reservoir surrounded by Dog’s Tooth Ridge, Phoenix Mountain, and, on clear days, the South China Sea.
6. Luk Wu Taoist Temple
Originally established as the Chun Yang Temple in 1883, it now houses 26 meditation halls, with five listed as secondary historical relics. It holds significant cultural value.
7. Tai O Heritage Hotel
Formerly the Tai O Police Station built in 1902, this Grade II historic building has been revitalized to include British colonial-style suites and features Tai O Lookout restaurant.
8. Tian Tan Buddha
Standing at 34 meters tall, the Tian Tan Buddha is the world's second-largest outdoor bronze Buddha. It sits atop 268 steps and includes three exhibition halls displaying precious Buddhist relics.
9. Ngong Ping Village
Located next to the Tian Tan Buddha, Ngong Ping Village is a corridor with restaurants and shops. Highlights include the "360VR Experience Hall," "360 Dynamic Cinema," and the "Walking with Buddha" exhibit.
10. Mui Wo
A familiar name for Hongkongers, Mui Wo is home to the only electric vehicle charging station in South Lantau. Notable attractions include Mui Wo Fort, Man Mo Temple, Silver Mine Cave, and Silver Mine Waterfall.
11. Our Lady of Joy Abbey
Located in San Shan Hang, this abbey was originally established in Hebei Province. Due to political conditions in the late 1940s, it relocated to the then-remote Lantau Island. The church features a blend of Western and Eastern architecture and commemorates Our Lady of Fatima.
Sources:
Transport Department
