Generally known by the locals as the Peak, Victoria Peak is another postcard scenery.

It is where you can see Kowloon from a hilltop across the Victoria harbor with buildings on Hong Kong Island in the foreground. The view is breathtaking, especially at the right spot and in good weather at night.
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To get to the Peak Tram terminus to ride it, there is a bus that can take you from in front of the Star Ferry pier in Central on Hong Kong Island. It's usually open top on the upper deck - your kids will love it... until it rains - then they'll really love it! more

If you prefer not to ride the tram, you can take bus number 15 from Exchange Square in Central district. On Sundays and public holidays, there's also bus number 15B from the Tin Hau bus terminal - just above the MTR Tin Hau station. (The bus passes through Causeway Bay on its way). But do check its hours of operation first. It seems that it only runs between noon and 7 pm. (2008.3.5)

The Peak Tram station on the Peak is located inside the Peak Tower. The building itself is worth mentioning. It was designed to look like something a few decades ago - an ancient Chinese chalice? It looked like an oval hamburger on stilts. It sure looked like something.

The new design, as pictured to the left and below, is also something else. What it is, I'm not sure. It is quite one of a kind.



Above left: the Peak Tower. Above middle: a Peak tram inside the station. Above right: observation deck in the Peak Tower

Inside the Peak Tower there are shops, restaurants, a wax museum, plus an observation deck. There is even a hamburger fast food restaurant that has a few tables out on the balcony with a view down toward the harbor. The view is worth much more than what you pay for your meal for sure. And then across the street there is its rival McD with not much of a view. (2007.6.4) (Right: Peak Tower)

At the top of Peak Tower is an observation deck to see the great view, but there's now a small fee charged. But then, you can get a free view in a pavilion down the street. (2008.9.22)

The best time to go to the Victoria Peak is later afternoon on a clear day. Stay there to see the scenery change from daytime to dusk and to nighttime. The worst time to go is when it is rainy, cloudy, or smoggy. There'll be no view to speak of.