The Rough Guide to Hong Kong and Macau says "Everyone should make the effort to visit the 555-metre-high Victoria Peak, whose summit gives unsurpassed views." LostinHK could not put it better themselves.A cheap way to write an intro perhaps, but you can't argue with fact. And if there is one thing any visitor to Hong Kong should do - whether they are here for a couple of hours or a couple of months - it's to make the trek up to Hong Kong's highest point: Victoria Peak.
There are many reasons to come - it's cooler up here when the weather gets humid, it provides a welcome escape from all the hustle and bustle down below, there is greenery in abundance - but the top reason people flock here is for the views, which on a clear day are possibly the best you'll find in the whole territory, and maybe even one of the best cityscape views you can find in any city around the world.
Since the first path to the top was created in 1859 "The Peak" has been a desirable spot for tourists and residents alike, and today is one of the most sought-after addresses in the region. The opening of the tram in the 1880's made it easily accessible, and now you'll be forced to fight for space among the hoards flocking here for the daytime views, the sunsets and the Symphony of Lights show once night falls.Don't let that put you off, however. The best thing about the Peak is, despite it's popularity, it is relatively easy to escape the crowds, as the best views are reserved for those who strike off the beaten path.
Once you arrive at the top, whether it be by tram or by bus (more on this later), you'll arrive at the Peak Galleria - a large shopping centre (what else did you expect to find here...this being Hong Kong!) with a number of cafes and restaurants as well as a Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and an open-air viewing gallery right at the top called the "Sky Terrace", for those willing to pay a few dollars to get up there. While LostinHK could take or leave the former, the latter is worth a visit at least once, and especially if you're only in town for a few days, as the views from up there are excellent and it is a little easier to bag yourself some space. Tickets are available from inside the Galleria and cost $20 (half that for kids under 11), or you can get a combined ticket with the tram (see the end of this article).
Behind the Galleria is a small square, and on the opposite side of that another shopping centre, again with cafes, restaurants and a decent supermarket for picking up a picnic. Around this square and shopping centre there a few more (free) places to go to admire the views: a flight of stairs next to the Delifrance across the square lead up to a children's playground from where there are good views across to Lamma and which also provides a good spot for watching the sunset over Lantau; and to your left as you exit the Galleria there is a path leading off (past the tram station), a short way along which you'll find a concrete pavilion type construction which offers good views for the Symphony of Lights (the top picture in this article was taken there).
But it is away from this area where the best delights The Peak has to offer are hidden, and where their are the fewest people also. In the square an old tram carriage houses the Tourist Information Centre. Stop in there and grab yourself a free map of the walking routes around the Peak. While there are many, the top two for views are described here.
The first one is a circular route which begins on the right as you come out of the Galleria. Walk around the side of the building, and as the road turns left and up the hill you will see a path that leads off down the side (Lugard Road). This is a great little shaded route which includes information about the wildlife and foliage all around you, and which is interspersed every so often with viewing platforms and great vistas out over the city, the harbour and the islands.
Don't be put off by the fact that it seems like nobody is down here, that's half the beauty of this route. As you follow it round views of the city give way to views across the harbour to the Tsing Yi bridge then Lantau Island (picture below). A little further Lamma comes into view across the water, with the town of Aberdeen down on the coast of Hong Kong Island below you. Following this path all the way around takes about 1-1.30hours with stops. There are lookout points along the way with benches to stop and picnic. The one where this picture was taken is a decent one for that, and is about 30 minutes into the walk.For those with a little more stamina, the second walk heads up the hill. And by up, we mean up! The gradient is extremely steep at times, and while this is by no means an extremely challenging walk, it certainly isn't your average stroll in the park neither. But don't worry....anyone who isn't up to the task will know after about five minutes, and can easily walk back to the Galleria! Those who do go, take water. There are no stores on the way up and the "light refreshment kiosk" at the top isn't always open.
The thing is, where the buses and trams stop is by no means the actual peak of Victoria Peak. In fact the very top of the mountain is home to a transmitter of some description, and therefore off limits unfortunately. Still, just before that point there are the landscaped Victoria Peak Gardens some 50m below the actual top, which was the site of the Mountain Lodge -the Governor's summer residence in Hong Kong - which and still makes an excellent destination to head for.
The thing is, where the buses and trams stop is by no means the actual peak of Victoria Peak. In fact the very top of the mountain is home to a transmitter of some description, and therefore off limits unfortunately. Still, just before that point there are the landscaped Victoria Peak Gardens some 50m below the actual top, which was the site of the Mountain Lodge -the Governor's summer residence in Hong Kong - which and still makes an excellent destination to head for.Where the previous path starts the road turns left and heads steeply up the hill (Mount Austin Road). Follow this road up and round to the right, past a children's playground, and then to the left again. There is a path that leads off the road here and down to the route described before. Unless you want to join that route you need to follow the road to the left and continue upwards ever upwards.
The road continues to snake its way up the hill, and once you have gone past some final apartment buildings there is no longer any pavement, so try to be careful as cars do use this route. After snaking left then right again after the final set of apartments you will soon come to a shabby-looking one story house. This is the Gate Lodge, the only building left of the old Mountain Lodge, and which was built between 1900 and 1902.
Now, as for how to get to the Peak, you're best options are take the bus or the Peak Tram from the terminal near the Bank of China building and Hong Kong Park in Central. The same Rough Guide also says that: "The precipitous tram ride up is another Hong Kong institution." While it may be an institution, in our humble opinion it is not as good a way to reach the peak as the bus.
While the tram will cost you $22 one-way or $33 return ($37 and $48 respectively with the "Sky Terrace" included), the bus will set you back about $9 each way, and the views are by far superior (get the front seat on the top deck and you won't be disappointed!) Bus #15 gets you there from Exchange Square or the Pier in Central, or from Queen's Rd East in Wan Chai.
The tram meanwhile can be one hell of a fight, as you queue for hours to get on and then things get hairy as you are rounded like cattle onto the platform. There is a good bit of information about the history of the Peak and the tram at the station, but you won't see any of it while you are being herded through. Our advice, if you do want to take the tram get the bus up and the tram back down - the queues are shorter and people seem a lot more relaxed about the whole thing!
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