'Peaking' out over Hong Kong.

Today I decided to go all out touristy and head for one of the most popular sights in Hong Kong - the Peak. The Peak is the tallest mountain on Hong Kong Island, but not in Hong Kong. The highest in Hong Kong is Tai Mo Shan in the New Territories which has an elevation of 957 metres.

The Peak can be accessed by a funicular railway called the peak tram, by bus or by minibus, or even by walking if you like to hike. I went there on the number 15 bus from the outlying ferry piers as that's the most convenient way from where I live. If you can get a seat, the journey can be enjoyable. If you have to stand and are squashed in like a sardine in a tin, it's not. I got on at the first stop and thought 'Great, no tourists. I'll have the Peak to myself.' About three stops later the bus was packed.

Victoria Peak, to give it its proper name, is 552 metres above sea level. In the nineteenth century it was used as a signalling post for incoming cargo ships. Many wealthy expat residents settled here in the past to escape Hong Kong's scorching summer heat and to be away from the clouds of mosquitoes which swarmed around the harbour. Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell had a summer house built here around 1868. Other wealthy residents moved here too. They would travel up and down the mountain by sedan chair. In 1881 Scotsman Alexander Findlay Smith bought a property here and opened it as Peak Hotel. Later in 1873 he managed to get permission to build a funicular railway, the peak tram, to get his guests up and down the mountain. Unfortunately, this hotel burnt down in 1938.

Whatever method of transport you take up the Peak, you will arrive at the Peak Galleria Shopping Centre and the Peak Tower. It's possible to visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum here, or Monopoly Dreams, a monopoly based theme park. There is also a viewing platform. I didn't go to any of these.

A former peak tram.

The Peak Tower.

View from near the Peak Tower.

There is also a 19th century heritage house which is now a restaurant called the Peak Lookout. The restaurant has an open terrace which overlooks Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam Country Park and the South China Sea. If you find the restaurant, you are near the start of two short walks. I did both of them.

The Peak Lookout Restaurant.

I started off by heading up Mount Austin Road to Victoria Peak Garden. This used to be the site of the Mountain Lodge, the Governor's summer residence. All that remains of that now is the restored gate lodge. You can also follow the Governor's Walk which takes you around the former gardens of his lodge. These are now a public park. There's a viewpoint towards Lamma Island from here, though the sun was in the wrong direction for photos when I visited.

The Restored Gate Lodge from various angles.

The Restored Gate Lodge from various angles.

The Restored Gate Lodge from various angles.

The Restored Gate Lodge from various angles.

Victoria Peak Gardens.

Victoria Peak Gardens.

Victoria Peak Gardens.

Victoria Peak Gardens.

Lookout Pavilion.

View.

View.

View.

After wandering around here for a while, I walked back down towards the Peak Lookout Restaurant then set out on the circular walk around Lugard Road.

I started the walk on the left hand side. The first part has lots of beautiful trees, some with amazing roots, the second part has the views. If you just want the views go right and then double back, but the whole walk only takes around an hour. This walk does connect to other longer trails though if you want to do a longer hike.

Trees.

Flowers.

Looking towards the top.

Trees.

Autumn Colours.

Pathways.

Trees.

Pathway.

Flowering tree.

View through the branches.

Roots.

Roots.

Roots.

Autumn Colours.

Pathway.

The second part of the walk has good views over the harbour. It would also be lovely at night, but I did not stay for that. It just takes so long to get home from here.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Views over the harbour.

Back at the Peak Tower.

Views from the bus on the way down.

Views from the bus on the way down.

Views from the bus on the way down.