For all of my friends that visit Hong Kong for the first time, I always suggest the Peak as a must-do itinerary. Even for friends that have been there before, I would suggest visiting it again. The Peak offers a whole lot of things to do that well justify a few visits.

A Brief Introduction of the Peak

The Victoria Peak, in Cantonese Tai Ping Shan, is the highest hill of Hong Kong Island at 552 meters. It was once part of the City of Victoria in the early colonial times. The British found it necessary to escape the heat and the dampness of Hong Kong, and they began building grand residences at the Peak. Not only that, they made the Peak exclusively British and European. By the operation of the Peak District Preservation Ordinance (1904), the Peak was off bounds to the Chinese people of Hong Kong, until 1945 or so.

Before the construction of the Peak Tram in 1888, the European residents of the Peak would take sedan chairs as borne by the coolies to reach their lavish homes. In its earliest days, the Peak Tram served exclusively Europeans during the normal hours.

It was in the last year that the sixth generation of Peak Tram began serving Hong Kong. In the plaza, close to the Peak Lookout, you will see a tram of a much older generation. Go in and feel for the experience of a bygone era.

In Martin Booth’s book, Gweilo, Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood, Booth discusses his experience growing up at the peak as a British person in Hong Kong. He had incredible adventures growing up at the Peak in the 1960s or so.

Since the Chinese people were able to live at the Peak, the area has become a place for the ultra wealthy in Hong Kong. Properties at the Peak are always the most expensive in the Hong Kong market. It has remained so for decades, and still now.

For first timers looking to visit the Peak, I suggest the following.

Itinerary

Take Green top Minibus Route 1 from the IFC (the station is beneath the overpass next to CitySuper) or the double decker Bus Route 15 from the Central Pier No. 5 and get off at the final stop at the Peak Galleria. After taking photos and touring at the Peak, take the Peak Tram back to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus. From there you are in the vicinity to the historic sites of Central, including the St. John’s Cathedral, Tai Kwun, Duddell Street Steps and Gas Lamps and more.

Unrivaled Views at the Lion Pavilion (Ming Yan Ting Pavilion)

There are a few spots to view Hong Kong’s famous skyline at the Peak. My advice to visitors is to never pay for this view at the Sky Terrace 428 on top of the Peak Tower. The Lion Pavilion presents equally good views. Another spot is to view at a deck at the Peak Galleria, which is also free for visitors.

From the Peak Tram terminus, find your way to Findlay Road toward the east. Walk for just two minutes and look out for the entrance to the Lion Pavilion on your left. The photograph above is what you expect to see there.

Needless to say, this is an exceedingly popular spot. Be prepared that you have to wait a bit before you secure a good spot for your photographs.

The Lion Pavilion is also known locally as the Lo Tsun Ting (“lo tsun,” in local lingo, refers to someone who is gullible and is deceived by others. As to why this pavilion has such an odd local reference, it is a story for another occasion). Its proper name is actually Ming Yan Ting Pavilion.

Be it at the viewing deck at the Peak Tower or at the Lion Pavilion, neither point is the actual summit of Victoria Peak. Suffice to say, you will see all of Hong Kong Island’s northern shoreline, a significant part of Kowloon, going as far as the Lion Rock, at the touristy area.

Dining at the Peak

Like all touristy spots in Hong Kong, the Peak offers an incredible array of choices for food. Both the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria feature all kinds of restaurants. For a quick and easy meal, I suggest Mak’s Noodle, namely the most expensive and (arguably) the best wonton noodles in Hong Kong.

The McDonald’s at the Peak Galleria is also the one that comes with the most beautiful view out of all of the McDonald’s in Hong Kong. I typically have a small bowl of wonton noodles at Mak’s Noodle and then head over to McDonald’s for coffee.

Heritage Dining at the Peak Lookout

If you want a proper dining experience at a heritage site at the Peak, the Peak Lookout is for you. As a dining establishment, the Peak Lookout serves international cuisine and the food is of high quality. I particularly enjoy its Indian cuisine. Its naan is heavenly with curry.

Formerly Old Peak Café, the Peak Lookout was built in 1888 as a place of rest for the engineers and workers that built the Peak Tram. In 1901, it became the chair shelter and rest stop for carriers of sedan chairs. By 1947, the idea of a dining establishment emerged with the setting up of light refreshments on this site. Over the next decades, it has evolved to the mid-ranged restaurant with upscale ambience that it is today.

The architecture of the Peak Lookout reminds one of an English cottage. It is single story, with stone walls, pitched roof and a chimney. The roof is made of Chinese tiles. Its arched windows are part of the original Arts and Crafts architectural style that is at once eclectic with the structure’s current Chinese tile roof.

For Hong Kong locals, the Peak Lookout is particularly nostalgic because it was one of the late Leslie Cheung’s favorite restaurants. Leslie Cheung is fondly remembered as one of Hong Kong’s once most popular Cantopop singer and movie actor.

The Peak Lookout is a Grade 2 Historic Building.

A Short Walk at the Lugard Loop and Mount High West

For local or second-time visitors, I highly suggest a few short hikes. The easiest one is the Lugard Loop around the Peak, which will take you through Lugard Road from the eastern city views to the western rustic island views. This loop has no climbing and takes a little over an hour.

A slightly more rigorous option is the Mount High West climb. Its starting point is along the Lugard Loop at the park area. At the end of this walk, you will see aerial views, having clocked in some exercise.

The Pinewood Battery

Another historic ruins in the Peak area is the Pinewood Battery, which features military installations that had engaged in battles against the Japanese forces during WWII. You may walk down from the Peak (certainly up as well, it is a nice walk), and pass by the Pinewood Battery on your way.

Sources

The Wikipedia on Victoria, Hong Kong.

The Wikipedia on Victoria Peak.

The Wikipedia on the Peak Lookout.

HKABC’s Youtube Channel on The Ridiculous Peak District Preservation Ordinance (Chin).