Ended a Jam-packed Day at The Peak

The Peak Tower

It has been a long day. Coming from Tsim Sha Tsui then getting to Lantau Island at the other end via a ride at  Ngong Ping 360 - Hong Kong's longest cable car, and then spending the whole afternoon in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which by the way involved lots of walking, we still had one item in our itinerary for the day. And we still had to deal with lots of walking just to reach the place.

walking to The Peak

The Peak wouldn't be named such for nothing. The Peak, at 554 meters above sea level, is the highest point in Hong Kong island - providing the best views of Hong Kong's skyline and harbor. The Peak experience is not just about the destination - it's also about the journey. The seven-minute ride at The Peak Tram is a must-try experience. The steepness of the inclined  trail makes it seem that the buildings are inclined at a 45 degree angle - could you imagine it already? The ride at The Peak Tram causes ear discomforts, though.

It's amazing to view Hong Kong from here.

Once at The Peak, there are lots of activities to explore. One of the most popular attractions is the Madame Tussauds Hong Kong located at level P1 of The Peak Tower. It is a wax museum featuring more than a hundred celebrity wax figures, like the Chinese icon Jackie Chan, among others. The operating hours of Madame Tussauds is at 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, hence as much as we loved to see it, we were not able to go because we arrived at almost 10:00 PM.

Other attractions in The Peak Tower is the EA Experience at level 1 - a haven for gamers where they can play in a virtual world and buy the latest EA games; The Peak Post Office at level P1 where visitors could send postcards to loved ones and be rewarded with a Peak chop mark to let everyone know you have been to The Peak; the Sky Terrace at the rooftop which offers the best unobstructed panoramic view of the city; and The Peak Tower itself, whose wok-like top has been an icon, and contains various dining and shopping options.

For a different feel, you may opt to head to The Lions View Point Pavilion. It is also a venue for a great view of the harbor and city below, but with a distinctly Chinese architectural motif. What's more? The Lions View Point Pavilion has a map that would facilitate identification of the various buildings that you see on both sides of the harbor.

Other noteworthy sites within The Peak are: The Peak Lookout Restaurant, The Peak Galleria, and The Hong Kong Tourism Visitor Board Centre, which is located in an old tram car. Alternatively, you could do a leisurely nature walk and explore the natural part of The Peak.

The Peak Lookout Restaurant is on the background

at The Peak Galleria's open area - with the Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centre at the background

Since we arrived too late, we were just able to have a ride at The Peak Tram, lounge at The Peak Galleria's open area, and then go back, again via The Peak Tram.

THE ESSENTIALS:

How to get to The Peak:

Board the Peak Tram from the Lower Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road. You can reach this by walking from MTR's Central Station Exit J2. There are lots of directional signs leading to The Peak.

Opening Hours:

The Peak Tram - 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM daily
The Peak Galleria - 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM daily

Round trip The Peak Tram ticket price: HK$36/head (Note: as of 2011, The Peak Tram return ticket price increased to HK$40/head.)

Tip: Expect for long queues in The Peak Tram, both in the lower terminus and in the upper terminus. During our trip back, we were standing! It was a really unique experience!



Other posts in this Hong Kong-Macau series:

Yes, You Can Enjoy Macau for Free
New Yaohan's Food Court and the Emperor Hotel Macau
Strolling in Macau: Senado Square, St. Dominic’s Church, Ruins of St. Paul’s, Museu de Macau What’s Inside Casino Lisboa in Macau?
I was in (Wonderland) MGM Macau!
The Tear-jerky Wynn Macau Experience
Finding the Dragon’s Treasure in Macau’s City of Dreams
Ended the Day in (Venice) Venetian Macao
Ngong Ping 360: My First Cable Car Ride (and the Longest)
My Second Time in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!
My Love Affair with Hong Kong Ocean Park
Rushing to the Avenue of Stars and A Symphony of Lights
DIY Hong Kong and Macau Trip: Tips on How to Ace It
20,000 Pesos 4 Days, 3 Nights DIY Hong Kong-Macau Travel Guide