Victoria Peak: The Best View in Hong Kong
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Locally known just as The Peak, Victoria Peak is the summit of a hill on the western half of Hong Kong Island. Climbing the hill gives you a breathtaking view of the tall skyline of Hong Kong as it surrounds Victoria Harbor.
Victoria Peak Hong Kong Guide: (Jump To)
Peak Tram to The Peak
The most popular route to the top is via the Peak Tram. The hillside funicular is one of the world’s oldest, opening in 1888. While still operational, the tram is undergoing a renovation project to upgrade the tracks and widen the cars. Work is scheduled to be completed in 2021. Check their website for current status.
Access to the ground-level station is an easy 10-minute walk from the subway via Central Station or Admiralty Station or on the “Ding-Ding” tram at Murray Road. A (sometimes long) queue forms at the ticket station for access to the funicular.
Round trip tickets are HKD$148 (about USD$19). You can buy tickets online prior to your visit or buy in line before boarding at the ticket window. If you buy in advance the tickets are only valid on your preselected date.
As the weather can be unpredictable, we decided to buy the ticket in line. That way we could visit on a day that we knew would have a clear hilltop view. If you buy a combo ticket in advance you are able to skip the line. The combo includes access to their viewing tower and is about double the price.
The boarding process is a mess. Be prepared for some pushing and shoving and to be packed into the car on a bench or standing and holding tightly to a handrail. Once aboard the tram, the journey of about a mile takes just a few minutes. There are four stops along the way for locals who use the tram for commuting. Riders must request a stop at those stations, so the tram might stop up to four times or might go non-stop to the top. You’ll know when it’s time to get off.
Best Night View in Hong Kong
Our visit to the peak was during the night. I wanted to see the impressive night skyline of the city. We waited in line for about 45 minutes landing at The Peak at about 7:30 pm. We bought the combo ticket including the Peak Tower. The combo ticket was HKD$99 (about USD$12).
At the top, we went straight to the top of the Peak Tower. It was crowded up there, but we managed to get a few minutes to gaze over the railing at the impressive city below.
At the top, you’ll also find a bunch of tourist-oriented shops and experiences including Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, the Chocolate Museum of Hong Kong, and the selfie paradise Trick Eye Museum Hong Kong. There is a midsized Galleria shopping mall as well.
The Peak Restaurant Hong Kong
For dinner, we selected Wildfire Pizzabar in the base of the tower with floor-to-ceiling windows of the city below. The pizza was highly priced and not very good, but the views were spectacular. They have a full menu if pizza isn’t your top choice while in Asia.
Other restaurant choices include FIAMMA, serving Italian food, Rajasthan Rifles, serving Indian food, Hong Kong Day a Hong Kong Style fast food restaurant, Lockeroom, a sports bar and restaurant, and even a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.
If you’re feeling fancy 37 Steakhouse is a top choice.
After dinner, we took another visit to the Peak Tower for some final views of the impressive city. This time it was less crowded and easier to get a good spot for the view. We took the elevator back to the tram station and after a 30-minute queue line, boarded the car back down the hill.
If you’re planning your Hong Kong itinerary, check out our 10 Things to See in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
