An ultimate guide to Hong Kong's Victoria Peak

What to do at Victoria Peak? Take in the fascinating views and if you get the chance to return to the Victoria Peak do this again and again! Each time discover something new from our favorites list.

Whether you are walking, riding the bus or tram or ambling along the hiking circular trails at Victoria Peak, the views are what makes the Victoria Peak to-die-for and absolutely for free! View the water gathering grounds that until today collect fresh drinking water from the Peak’s Galleria for a different perspective of the bounties of nature. The visibility notwithstanding, the trip to the peak is an experience in itself. The terraces and viewing-points may be free or ticketed. Try the anvil-mimicking Peak Tower which claims the honour of being Hong Kong’s highest and largest platform for viewing at the Sky Terrace at 428. The entry fee here is 6.50 USD. You can also get some of the best views from the Peak Galleria and its huge mall without paying a dime. Just ride the mall escalators for the southern and city views.

An experience both historical and stunning awaits you at Victoria Peak as you start at the Lower Terminus’ Peak Tram Gallery where the history of the 120 years tram is laid bare for you and details how Hong Kong the Oriental Pearl became what it is today. The tram is in use every day of the week to travel to the top of Victoria Peak from seven in the morning to midnight. The 1888 Red Peak Tram is a funicular that is the worlds-oldest and Asia’s first. A little planning and time management can get you your flight and hotel bookings along with your day-tour of Victoria Peak and line-skipping reservations. Get in early and stay up till late if you want to enjoy the views sans crowds.

Riding into Victoria Peak from the eastern Tsim Sha Tsui or TST district and hub located in South Kowloon you can choose the waterways and the Star Ferry which also is a must-do-in HK. Normally open from 8 am to 8:10 pm on all days of the week you can choose to visit the website for more information on Tsim Sha Tsui, If you plan to use the bus hop into the #15B to Victoria Peak or use the MTR from Central’s Tin Hau Station which plies only on public holidays and Sundays. The City-buses are NWFB operated and provide clean, punctual and economical transportation with a view on every bend of the journey from TST to the top of the Peak. Bus #15C plies from #8 Central Pier to the Lower Peak Terminus. You can walk from the J2 exit of the MTR Central Station and use the Peak Tram. The route #15 from the bus terminus at Exchange Square which is close to the D exit of the MTR HK Station can also be used. You get frequent minibuses #1 from E Exit of the MTR station.

The Kowloon southern tip of the peninsula of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor is another destination from where you can travel to Victoria Peak. Kowloon itself is a beautiful part of HK with the Nathan Road "Golden Mile" and the most-densely populated Mongkok shopping areas with lots to see and do. Get to the Central by bus or the Metro Rail and then set out the peak. From the CBD or Central one can use Google maps, apps like Uber and navigate through the buildings and high-rises in a taxi, bus, bicycle, metro rail or plain walking.

The Victoria Peak trails are fabled from the days of yore. Try the Morning Trail from Hatton Road. The Circle Walk is easy on families and the ambling tourist as an access-means to the commercial area on top with a view-around-the-bend that is unbeatable. An otherwise missed jewel is the summer home of the former governor just a hew 100 feet uphill. Look for the Victoria Peak Garden stairs opposite the Mount Austin Playground on the road likewise named on Mount Austin Road. Discover the secret garden atop the stairs from where you get a privileged view of Hong Kong below and the peak atop. Walking among the meditative banyan trees and lush spaces of green will be extremely good for your health with exciting views and mountain air to get rid of the vocational ennui. Victoria Garden is close to the Lion's Pavilion summit and right next to the viewing tower.

Though Hong Kong is expensive food is aplenty and always on the cheap at Victoria Peak. When walking and discovering makes you hungry head to the historical The Peak Lookout Restaurant which dates back to 1901 when it started as the sedan chair stable as the Peak Café and evolved to the present. Admire the scenery from its south-facing terrace and enjoy the multi-cuisine fare while admiring the memorabilia, photos, and rustic wooden interiors. Did you know that this is a classified Grade II heritage building that has been renovated and maintained in pristine condition? You can also try the Wildfire Pizzabar and Grill for some risotto, pizza, or grilled and smoked meats with an exciting view to entertain. The Hong Kong Day at 852-2849-7855 serves traditional Hong Kong food like Hong Kong Special French Toast, the milk tea and salted Sprite and more. Styled after the 50’s popular "cha chaan teng" diner it is great to grab a quick bite. The dim sums which are core national staple here are best at the Lú Fēng. Sweet and Sour Pork, Phoenix Chicken Talons, Roast Goose, Wind Sand Chicken, Wontons, Stinky Tofu, Eggettes, Cheung fun, Shrimp and Chicken Balls, Fish Balls, and Har Gow Steamed Shrimp Dumplings are some of the traditional dishes to try at the street food outlets on every corner and very typical Hong Kong food you can try out when you visit the Victoria Peak.

The Victoria Peak has its very own Madame Tussauds where you can be photographed with Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee or Barrack Obama, the interactive celebrities of modern times and makes an excellent kids’ activity or when caught in the sudden downpour. Ah, the rule in Hong Kong is to always carry your umbrella! If you need reservations please visit Madame Tussauds, The Peak Tower-Shop #P101, 128 Peak Road, Hong Kong or call 852-2849-6966.

Hong Kong weather is unpredictable and can go from sunny to low-lying clouds within hours. That’s part-and-parcel of the wonders of the peak where you will benefit from a walk-in-the-clouds experience if this happens to you. July is rainy, hot and reportedly the typhoon season but chances are a mere 30 percent that HK will have a typhoon. The beginning of the year until late February is tourist favorites to take in the festivals like ushering in the New Year and the Spring Festival in mild and pleasant weather conditions. Avoid the rains and heat from April to June.

If you use a taxi to reach the Victoria Peak or travel around Hong Kong to Kowloon, the airport, or to the other areas for shopping then you must choose from the very quick taxis both premium and low-cost and use an app. It could cost you 92.4 HKD for 5 miles just as an indicative rate. The MTR, tramways, ferries, buses, mini-buses, and taxis form an efficient system for interconnectivity between islands and on the main island itself. Buy yourself the tourist pass valid for 24 hours from the first journey for public transport costing 55 HKD/ day and 25 HKD for children between 3 and 11 years.

The most popular spots for nightlife during your visit to Victoria Peak are to be found at So Ho and Lan Kwai Fong areas in Hong Kong where the trendy, fashionable, young at heart and tourists head to watering holes and vibrant nightclubs. At nights, you can also visit the world’s largest sound-and-light show at the Symphony of Lights for an unforgettable concert or shop at the Night Market on Temple Street. Which reminds you of shopping right? There are plenty of areas for that too. Visit the upscale Central area, the bargain filled Causeway Bay, the Tsim Sha Tsui areas its entertainment and shopping, the busiest shopping area of MongKok or the electronics laden Sham Shui Po area.

You will never complain Hong Kong has not enough to do. Besides the Victoria Peak one should also visit the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Nathan Road’s Golden Mile, the Lan Kwai Fong area for nightlife, the Golden Bauhinia Square, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tai O Fishing Village, Hong Kong Park and the Happy Valley Racecourse while at Hong Kong to understand its culture, art, scenic spots and landmarks. Here’s to a tourist favorite list!

The landmark Symphony of Lights at the Victoria Harbour each day at 8 pm is a dazzling sound and light show illuminating over 40 building across its waters and is the biggest of its kind internationally as per the Guinness Records Book. The daily show lasting for 10 minutes is free and happens in the Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong as per its website.

Is another must-visit on Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan. Dedicated to the God of Literature Man Cheong and the God of War Mo Tai it is a favorite for the students and tourists with a wish to pray for. It is located at 124-126 Hollywood Road, Tai Ping Shan, Island of Hong Kong.

Ladies Market located at Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong has a kilometer-long shopping area for those hard-bargained-for clothes, cosmetics, souvenirs, and fashion accessories.

Tian Tian Buddha aka the Big Buddha is 112 feet high and just above the Po Lin monastery in the Lantau Island. Use the Ngong Ping cable car to ride to the summit and hover over the mountainous forests and waterways every day between 10 am and 5:30 pm.

The Heritage Wan Chai Trail has much to offer from the infamous red-light area of Wan Chai frequented by sailors from the old British port, to the market place, the old post office, Blue House and the Pak Tai Temple. Visit the website for details.

Tsim Sha Tsui has some awesome sights in its kitty with the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Kowloon’s viewing- point of Victoria Harbour, the Clock Tower from the colonial-era and several Avenue of Stars statues of famous people besides being an important commercial and transportation hub in Hong Kong.

Repulse Bay has nothing repulsive about it and is the best beach to head to with golden sands and lots of fun activities. The name actually came from the British who repelled pirates at the bay!

Ocean Park is the first amusement park in HK and has many exciting rides and is almost a mini zoo with an aquarium, the pandas Le Le and Ying Ying, roller coasters and more. Open for visitors on Mondays and Saturdays from 10 am to 9 pm and on the rest of the days till 7 pm. It is located at Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island.

Wong Tai Sin Temple is as recent as 1968 and has the draws of the Confucius Hall, Hall of Three Saints and the Good Wish Garden. They are open every day from 7 am to 5 pm at 2 Chuk Yuen Road, Chuk Un, Kowloon.