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The Lantau island of Hong Kong is the region's largest island, is absolutely unlike its urbanized counterpart Hong Kong Island. While the Hong Kong Island is a concrete and neon destination, the Lantau Island of Hong Kong is a large and peaceful natural escape. The island is named after the old name of the Island's tallest peak "Lantou" meaning 'Ragged Head'. The Lantau Island of Hong Kong has a landmass measuring 146.38 Sq Km. Development has been only a recent arrival on the island; and the chief proof of this is the Hong Kong International Airport in its north end. Referred to as "Tai Hai Shan" in most ancient maps, the Lantau Island was an important stopover for ships bound for South China. But life on the Lantau Island existed even before trade became a part of human life. In fact, archaeological excavations of relics like rock carvings and stone circles dating as far back to the Stone Age and Bronze Age stand proof to this. The Lantau Island of Hong Kong also played its share of role in the Chinese history when the island offered shelter to two fleeing prince-emperors of the Song Dynasty during the era of Mongol invasion. It was during this time that the waters surrounding the island were famously infested with pirates; the most famous of them is Cheung Po-tsai. When the British took over, they concentrated so much on Hong Kong Island that Lantau Island remained a shadow. As a result of this seclusion, tranquility and anonymity, Monks filtered into the island; and by 1970 the island became home to some 500 Monks and 135 Buddhist Monasteries. This bagged the title of the "Island of Prayer" for the Lantau Island. One of the oldest and the most famous of them is the Po Lin Monastery that stands tell on the Ngong Ping plateau. Currently the Lantau Island of Hong Kong is fractioned into 47 villages. Of them, Mui Wo, Tai O and Tung Chung are undergoing the process of modernization. Even after the advent of modernity, the Lantau Island of Hong Kong remains the reclusive place that it always was. Till this day it remains a land associated with temples, meandering coasts, tranquil mountain trails, cloistered cascading waterfalls, deep ravines and flower filled paths. There are some rare varieties of plants and flowers to be found on the island. The other specialty of the Lantau Island of Hong Kong is the dolphins that frolic in close proximity of the shore. Aside of hiking and trekking, water sport activities are gaining in popularity. Also, sightseeing is a highlight, though they involve visiting mostly temples and monasteries. Some of the places to check out are Tian Tan Buddha, Tai O, Tung Chung Fort, Trappist Haven Monastery, Hong Kong Disneyland, Cheung Sha and Sunset Peak.
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