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Name the highest point on Hong Kong Island.
The Peak?
Mount Austin?
Victoria’s Peak?
With an elevation of 1,811 feet, the highest point on Hong Kong Island is known as all of the above, but more commonly, Victoria’s Peak. When visitors to the city desire to see it from a different perspective, this is where they head.
In the early 19th century, Victoria’s Peak attracted prominent European residents for its panoramic view of the city as well as its temperate climate. Many, including the Governor of Hong Kong, built summer residences on the Peak to escape the sub-tropical climate of the city of Hong Kong. With no easy mode of transportation, the residents were carried up the mountain in sedan chairs.
Today, the sedan chairs are gone and most visitors utilize the Peak Tram, the 120 year old funicular railway, the city’s oldest mode of transport. Departing from the terminus on Garden Road, tourists line up for the most direct and scenic route to the summit.
Upon our departure from the ferry pier, we walked to the funicular station passing iconic landmarks such as Hong Kong Observation Wheel, the Jardine House, the iconic skyscraper with round windows and St. John’s Cathedral in the Central District.
Tourists crowded the entrance and ticket window and lined up under the overpass across the street moving when directed to do so. We took our place at the end of the line, enjoying the shade and respite from the Hong Kong heat. An hour later, we queued up to board the funicular, fighting to find a seat on the crowded vehicle. Despite the amazing views we expected to see, it was hard to get much of a glimpse through the windows, while traveling at such a steep angle and with dozens of arms raised, grasping cameras attempting to get pictures of the climb.
As we exited into the Peak Tower, we followed the masses making their way up the high rise filled with shops, restaurants, photo studios and even a Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. We had not purchased entrance into Sky Terrace 428, which boasts the best panoramic views, opting to utilize the free terrace and walkways. With a sloping hillside and retaining walls, we found the views to be a bit obstructed, however, and decided to exit the building. Making our way to the Lion’s Pavilion, we were able to enjoy the same vista as those from the Sky Terrace 428 at no charge.
Once we had captured an adequate number of selfies and panoramas of the amazing skyline, we walked a bit on one of the walking trails, admiring the views of the Central District, Victoria Harbor, Lamma Island and the surrounding islands. The trail was shady and many birds were visible, including the black kite as well as numerous species of butterflies. Though we were informed that wild boar and porcupines frequent the area, we were thankfully left in peace.
Though many visitors arrive later in the afternoon so that they might enjoy both the views during the daytime hours and watch the city lights illuminate in multicolored brilliance at dusk, we decided to head back down the mountain so that we might be able to cross the harbor to check out the Temple Street Night Market.
Riding the crowded funicular backwards down the mountainside was a bit daunting and we were happy to make it back to the Central District at a much quicker pace than we had arrived.
Though we enjoyed the funicular experience, I think if I went back to Hong Kong, I would do things a bit differently. First, having the funicular experience under my belt, I would utilize the bus system or a taxi to reach the Peak in a timely manner and to offer myself a view of some of the homes of the super rich located on the way to and near the Peak. Next, I would try to experience both the daytime and nighttime views, by timing my arrival more appropriately. Having that said, however, although we enjoyed seeing the beautiful views of the city, I do think the entire Peak Tower experience is a bit overrated. With so many amazing shopping malls in the city, why come here to be bombarded with more shopping? Also, there are many other superior dining opportunities with the city.
I think that if you are in search of nature in addition to seeing the city from a different perspective, however, this is what it is really about. The Peak, Mount Austin, Victoria’s Peak…enjoy the view while utilizing the trails and try to envision a time when the residents were once carried up and down this steep elevation by more primitive means.
Your sore muscles will definitely remind you of the conveniences of modern day travel!
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Peak Tram
- https://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/home.asp
- Address: 128 Peak Rd, The Peak, Hong Kong
- Hours: 0700 to 12 midnight (Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays). Sky Terrace 428 Opening Hours, 1000 to 1100, Monday to Friday, 0800 to 1100, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
- Admission: Peak Tram, Single and return peak tram tickets available. Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428, Adults, single journey, HK $84 (about US$10.70), return, HK $99 (about US$12.60), children ages 3-11, single journey, HK $38 (about US$4.85), return, HK $47 (about US$6.00). Peak Tram tickets only, Adults, single journey, HK $37 (about US$4.70), return, HK $52 (about US$6.60), children ages 3-11, single journey, HK $14 (about US$1.80), return, HK $23 (about US$2.90). All tickets are sold at Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus or from designated travel agents. Peak Tram Upper Terminus (The Peak Tower) sells Peak Tram tickets only. Sky Terrace 428 only, Adults, HK $52 (about US$6.60), children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and above, HK $26 (about US$3.30).
- Getting There: From MTR Station on foot, make your way to the J2 exit and walk up to the ground level. Turn right, through Chater Garden, cross Queen’s Road Central, and make your way up Garden Road. You will pass the Bank of China Tower and Citibank Plaza on your left and St John’s Cathedral on your right to Lower Terminus. By Bus to Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus, board the Peak Tram shuttle bus No. 15C at the Central(Near Star Ferry Pier 8) Bus Terminus. By bus to Peak, Route No. 15 (First Bus) Normal Central Pier 5 to the Peak or Route No. 15B (First Bus) Wanchai Convention Center to the Peak. Also by Mini Bus, No. 1, Central (Two IFC) to the Peak. By taxi to Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus or to the Peak. By walking up the steep Old Peak Road from near the Zoological Botanical Gardens or the Central Green Trail from Hong Kong Park. Another popular walk is the level loop along Lugard and Harlech Roads.