VICTORIA PEAK

Victoria Peak, often referred to as The Peak, is one of Hong Kong's most iconic tourist attractions. At an altitude of 552 metres, it is the highest point on Hong Kong Island, offering the most spectacular 360° panorama of the city, Victoria Bay and the surrounding skyline. The Peak dominates not only the urban jungle of the north of the island, but also Kowloon and as far as the hills of the New Territories. To the south, the lush vegetation of a quieter Hong Kong is revealed, right up to the prominent chimneys of the Lamma Island power station. To the west, the rugged terrain of Lantau Island looms in the distance. The view it affords over Victoria Bay is Hong Kong's picture postcard par excellence, a must-see on your trip.

The skyline from the Peak is particularly magical at sunset, when the sky takes on pink hues. At night, the views are even more dramatic. The city takes on a fairy-tale Gotham City feel, and you're mesmerized by the concentration of lights illuminating the bay. It's hardly surprising, then, that several films (such as The Dark Knight) were shot on the heights of Hong Kong Island. Day or night, the two landmarks on either side of the bay are the IFC Tower on the Hong Kong Island side (415 m) and the ICC Tower on the Kowloon side (484 m). At just over 500 metres above sea level, you're not that far from them!

History. In the ^19th century, Victoria Peak was a residential area, prized for its cooler climate, by British expatriates and Hong Kong's colonial high society. During this period, the Peak was off-limits to Chinese residents. This ban was lifted after the Second World War.

Feng Shui. The Peak is considered a strategic location, as it captures qi, the vital energy of the surrounding mountains, and draws it down towards the city and the sea, symbolizing the harmony between nature and the city's prosperity.

Peak Tram. One of the most popular means of reaching the summit is the Peak Tram, a historic funicular railway dating back to 1888. Originally conceived as a simple means of locomotion, the funicular has since become a major tourist attraction. Nevertheless, a few regulation stops remain, for locals living in the higher parts of the island. The ascent takes just 5 minutes, but the gradient is such that you'll be glued to the back of your bench. Alternatively, you can go up and down by bus or cab, or even on foot.

Peak Tower. This is one of the most recognizable structures at the top, where the Peak Tram arrives. This inverted bowl-shaped building houses Sky Terrace 428. This is the Peak's highest observation point, situated 428 metres above sea level. From this platform, you have a 360-degree view of the city, but you have to pay (HK$75). The Peak Tower is also home to souvenir stores, restaurants offering local and international cuisine, and cafés.

Peak Galleria. This is the second complex located near the summit, and also offers retail space and restaurants. This shopping center also boasts an observation platform on its top floor, which is free of charge and also offers breathtaking views.

Lion's Pavilion. Walk along the Peak Tower to reach this pavilion, which offers the best view of the bay and Hong Kong's skyscrapers, in just a few minutes. People crowd against the railings to see who can take the best photo without disturbing their neighbor who wants to do the same!

Peak Circle Walk. This is the most popular trail. It makes a very pleasant loop of around 3.5 kilometers (1h) and offers panoramic views of Hong Kong. The trail is flat, well-paved and suitable for all ages. It starts at Lugard Road and continues to Harlech Road.

Victoria Peak Garden. This is the real summit of the Peak. This large, beautiful, tranquil garden offers a more peaceful view of the mountains (but not the skyline). It's a great place to relax and escape the crowds.

Hiking. You can choose to link the city to the Peak on foot to take advantage of picturesque trails such as the Morning Trail, which starts at Mid-Levels, or via Old Peak Road, a fairly steep path that leads to the Escalator. For a more secluded hike, it's also possible to descend to the Pok Fu Lam man-made lake via the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road.

Smart tips. For the duration of your stay, choose a day with clear skies as the Peak is regularly shrouded in mist, making the view less spectacular. As the city's most popular attraction, the Peak is often crowded with tourists. To avoid the crowds, go on weekdays and in the mornings, or even early in the morning, when the place is almost deserted and you'll come across locals out for their morning jog or dog walk. Another tip is to take the Peak Tram on weekday mornings. It's not uncommon to have to wait over an hour to get on. Better still, get on by another means (bus or cab, for example) and take the Peak Tram for the descent. You'll wait much less. Last but not least, take the Peak Tram downhill and choose a seat on the left to enjoy the view.