Victoria Peak - the mountain and its views over the skyline

Victoria Peak, or just The Peak, is a mountain on Hong Kong Island's western parts, high above the central districts. It is 552m high above the sea level and t is also known as Mount Austin. The Peak is the highest mountain on the island, and second highest in Hong Kong. The summit is closed to public, but the surrounding areas is one of Hong Kong's most popular tourist attractions, since it offers beautiful nature, temperate climate and view over large parts of the city and surrounding islands.

The Peak Tram is a funicular railway that brings tourists from the central areas to the top of the peak. It has the same owner as Peninsula Hotel. It is totally 1.3 km in lenght and has been operated since 1888. Even if the ride is a bit thrilling, and the tram is riding on just one cable, no accident has ever happened. Surprisingly, the tram went very fast to the top, it took only 5 minutes! I expected a long and scenic ride, about 30 minutes or so with many sights on the way up. But the tram just passed some trees and highrises, some curves, and a really steeping hill, stopped once and that was it. It was cool as long as it lasted though, nothing for people afraid of heights! Besides the observation decks there, the greenery and winding roads, there are two shopping malls, a market, a Madame Tussaud's wax museum and several restaurants. We tried a pizza at the Wildfire, a restaurant with amazing views over the peak and the city when it is not too foggy. The Peak Tower is the most prominent building with its inverted curved building. It has a mall inside and an observation deck on top. Because of the mild climate, Victoria Peak has attracted many prominent European residents in the 1800s, and it is known as home to special birds and butterflies.

Unfortunately the weather was not the best during our visit. Right after we reached the top, we just managed to see the great view of the skyscrapers of Central, Kowloon and Victoria Harbour from the shopping mall before it started to get so foggy that the city got almost completley hidden behind the clouds. Unfortunately this is very common weather in Hong Kong. On the other hand, it ads a nice mysterious feeling to the views. It was also a bit disapponting that when the peak tram reaches the top, you enter into a market and then into a shopping mall, instead of just entering the nature of this beautiful green mountain. To get the greatest views, you have to pay to get up the top of the Peak Tower, the inverted curved building where the tram stops. It is also where you find a large shopping mall, with partly covered windows with great views over central Hong Kong. If you take a look behind the covers of the these glass walls, you can save the cost for the ticket to get up on the roof. You can also get great views on a lookout point outdoors during great weather, even if it is not 360 degrees.

The Peak Tram starts at Central, near Statue Square. The Peak Tram, everything goes diagonal! Views from the Peak Tram. A short but thrilling ride! Views from the Peak Tram. Views from the Peak Tram. Views from the Peak Tram. The steep rail of The Peak Tram. The Peak Tram has taken visitors from Central to the Peak since 1888. The Peak Tram The Peak Tram The Peak Tram Victoria_Peak_015 The Peak Market. Escalators inside The Peak Towers that has incredible views over the city! ICC of Kowloon and IFC of Central, the two tallest buildings of Hong Kong. Views from the mall above the peak. Victoria_Peak_019 Escalators inside The Peak Towers that has incredible views over the city! The Peak Market. Escalators inside The Peak Tower that has incredible views over the city! View from the Peak tower. Central seen from The Peak. Central and Kowloon, views from the mall of the Peak Tower. ICC, Hong Kong's tallest building, and The Center in the foreground. Victoria_Peak_027 Bank of China Wan Chai HK panorama Victoria_Peak_031 Madame Tussaud's wax museum inside The Peak Tower The Peak Tower opened in 1997. Architect: Terry Farrell. There are two shopping malls on the top of the peak! The Peak Tower opened in 1997. It is situated 396m above the sea and has 7 floors. Victoria_Peak_036 The old Peak tram. The old Peak tram. The Peak Galleria Peak Road Victoria_Peak_042 Victoria_Peak_043 Peak Road The Peak Tower Foggy mountains, ove 500m above the sea Victoria_Peak_047 Victoria_Peak_048 Victoria_Peak_049 Victoria_Peak_050 Victoria_Peak_051 Victoria_Peak_053 Victoria_Peak. The weather is much milder and less humid up in the mountains. The green hills of the peak, high above HK. Victoria_Peak_056 Victoria_Peak_057 Very foggy at the peak, a common weather in HK! Victoria_Peak_059 Victoria_Peak_060 The Peak Tower opened in 1997. Victoria_Peak_062 Fog over Hong Kong. The Peak Tower. Victoria_Peak_065 Peak Tower Victoria_Peak_067 Victoria_Peak_068 Victoria_Peak_069 The Center. Shun Tak Centre. Victoria_Peak_072 Victoria_Peak_073 Victoria_Peak_074 Central from Victoria Peak. Victoria_Peak_076 Victoria_Peak_077 A tram store! The Peak Galleria Victoria_Peak_080 Wildfire Restaurant at The Peak Tower. Victoria_Peak_082 Wildfire Restaurant, taking a pizza high above Hong Kong's foggy skyline! Victoria_Peak_084 Victoria_Peak_085 HSBC Building. Wildfire Restaurant at The Peak Tower. Wildfire Restaurant at The Peak Tower. Observation pavilion at foggy Victoria Peak The track for The Peak tram Victoria_Peak_092 Skyline seen from Wildfire Restaurant The trails of Victoria Peak Victoria_Peak_095 The trails of Victoria Peak The weather is much milder and less humid up in the mountains. Victoria_Peak_099 The trails of Victoria Peak Victoria_Peak_101 Victoria_Peak_102 Peak Tower observation deck The trails of Victoria Peak The Peak tram rides on only one cable! But nothing has ever happened since the inauguration in the late 1800s. Victoria_Peak_106 The Peak Tram reaches the top of the Peak. The Peak Tram reaches the top of the Peak. The Peak Tower Victoria_Peak_110 The Peak tram arrives. Victoria_Peak_112 The Peak tram rides on only one cable! But nothing has ever happened since the inauguration in the late 1800s. Views from the Peak Tram. Views from the Peak Tram.