Hong Kong - The Peak Travel Guides | Hong Kong | Sub Regions | Hong Kong - The Peak

Peak Tram, or bus no 15 from Central Bus station, City Hall, Queen's Rd East. Every 15-20 mins, $9.20. Minibus no 1 from Star Ferry pier, every few mins, $7.50.

The Peak justifies its position as one of Hong Kong's most popular attractions. The highest point in the territory (552 m) has the best views of the harbour, and also some of the most valuable property in the world. In the mid-19th century, the wealthier British arrivals preferred to build their summer houses in the cool, lofty heights of the Peak rather than on low-lying swampy marshland. Before the days of buses and taxis, access was by sedan chair only, and ever since then the Peak has been the exclusive haunt of the territory's elite. Getting there now includes a ride on the famous Peak Tram, although a more conventional method is by bus (top deck at the front), which in many ways is more enjoyable. The meandering route through Wan Chai, snaking above Happy Valley, past the Khalsa Diwan Sikh temple, overlooking the Chinese cemetery, then hugging the hillside along Stubbs Road offers a longer, more leisurely look at the stunning views, watching them slowly unfold.

Sights

Terminal at Garden Rd, Central. MTR: Central. Free shuttle bus from Star Ferry Pier. $30 return, $20 single. 0700-2400, every 15 mins.

The oldest and most dramatic way of ascending the Peak is by a 7-minute journey on the Peak Tram. The cable-hauled funicular railway has been tugging people on a near-perpendicular angle up the mountainside since 1888 before the roads were ever built, and transports around 9,000 passengers a day. It is possible to board and leave the tram from any one of its other four terminals (Kennedy Road, MacDonnell Road, May Road and Barker Road).

Once at the bus or tram terminal, there are various things you can do: walk to the very top of the Peak, shop, eat, or just gaze at the harbour from the viewing platform. The Peak Tower, which looks like an orange segment from the side, is the tram terminal and also a multi-purpose viewing, dining and entertainment centre, designed by British architect Terry Farrell. While it seems pointless to have a viewing platform when a short walk around the peak reveals it all, it has the advantage of high-powered binoculars. The tower includes the Peak Explorer, Madame Tussaud’s and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium.

Opposite the coloured fountain (lit up at night), above the bus terminal, the Peak Galleria is another assortment of shops and restaurants, including Peak Concepts (next to Café Deco), The Hard Rock Café Shop and Wai Tat Industries (32-37 level 1) with an excellent collection of souvenirs and handicrafts at reasonable prices.

27 Coombe Rd, The Peak, T 2849 7019. 0900-1700 Wed-Sun, 1400-1700 Tue, closed Mon and public holidays.

Housed in the old Wan Chai Gap Police Station, this charts the story of one of the oldest police forces in the world. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force was officially formed in 1841. The exhibits include old photographs, uniforms and guns, plus a display on the Triad criminal gangs, and the intriguing ways in which drugs are smuggled.

The most popular and easiest walk is from the Upper Peak Tram station, along Lugard Road and Harlech Road, a footpath around the circumference of the Peak. The two-mile walk takes under an hour, although the viewing platforms along the way are tempting for a long, lingering look. Choose a clear day and the views are unforgettable: gleaming skyscrapers and one of the busiest harbours in the world; and the Outlying Islands from around the other side. It also allows a peek into how the other half live and some of the most expensive housing (although most of it surprisingly unattractive) in the world. Most of the walk is pleasantly tree-shaded, even though much of the area was deforested in the mid-19th century when the Brits arrived.

There are a couple of routes to the top of the Peak and Victoria Peak Garden by walking along Harlech Road then turning right onto the path at its junction with Lugard Road. It then makes a small loop known as Governor’s Walk, ascending to the pleasant gardens.

There are also well-signposted walks to Pokfulam or Aberdeen on the west coast. It’s around one hour along a gentle 3-mile walk to the Pokfulam Reservoir (stock up for a picnic at Park ‘n’ Shop in Peak Galleria), then choose between the stiff walk back or a return journey by bus.

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