Optimize your visit to The Peak!

Since the last three days have been particularly clear, I decided to walk up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s number one tourist destination. Normal people get there by taking a taxi, bus, minibus, or the famous Peak Tram, but I enjoy the exercise!

I’ve been up here countless times already and it’s still a wonder to behold. Walking along Hong Kong’s busy streets you have no idea how the city fits together – building by building, block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood. From the vantage point up on The Peak it all comes together. Peer down from above and you are rewarded with a fresh look at places you dash by every day. I come up here as often as I can to have a look at the city. You can read more about my trips and see additional photos by going here or here. I love this place. It’s rare for a city to have such an inspiring view.

Tuesday night I took a few photos. Wednesday during the day I was back up there again and decided to shoot a short video with my camera (don’t expect vivid colors!) Have a look at the 35-second tour!

Victoria Peak Hong Kong by hongkonghustle

Don’t settle for less: see the full view of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak
Most people who visit the Peak simply go to the observation deck on top of the Peak Tower (home to the Peak Tram station.) While this is an excellent view, it’s only a partial look at the city.

For a view that’ll really knock you off your feet, simply walk a casual ten minutes away from the crowd, along a winding cement pathway located at the rear of the Peak Tower. The walkway is nearly flat and you’ll be in for a big treat. (You know you’re starting at the right place if you walk by a set of stairs going down on your right, and continue past a small older building on your left before entering the pathway.

After around ten minutes you get your first taste of the magnificent 180 degree view – but don’t stop yet. It gets better! Continue walking in the same direction. Take your time and you will notice that moving another twenty feet gives you a noticeably different perspective.

At a certain point you will begin facing the Tsing Ma bridge far off in the distance. If you’re feeling ambitious and would like to see what’s on the other side of Hong Kong Island, continue walking. The pathway forms a loop and it will take you right back where you started from. To be honest, the view of the other side isn’t as breathtaking. There’s a scenic waterfall and some photo-ops of rolling hillsides with Lamma Island in the distance, but it’s not as dazzling as the cityscape.

How long does it take to do the loop? It all depends on your walking speed. I’d say forty-five minutes to an hour at a decent rate, slower if you’re pausing for pictures, which you surely should be!