Victoria Peak Hong Kong
First published in 2016
A visit to Victoria Peak is on the bucket list of most Hong Kong visitors. Usually, they will take the also famous peak tram from Garden Road. There is nothing wrong with doing so and up to a certain degree it is considered to be part of a first-time visit to Hong Kong (at least as long as the weather is cooperating). As the tram takes the direct way it is also the fastest way to reach the top. The catch is that it is not cheap and especially that you will not be the only one with that idea. So expect that you have to queue up for a very long time and that this will be mostly outside without any shade at all.
There are at least two alternatives: You could take a taxi (never tried that) or bus #15 (what I did this time). The bus starts near the ferry stations and if you come from Kowloon, you just have to leave the Star Ferry Building. The bus fills up very quickly too, but as this is one of the first stops there’s a good chance to get a seat.
I found the drive much more interesting than the one with the tram because there is much more to see. The catch with this version is that the bus needs 40 minutes to reach the top. So depending on the queue at the tram station you might not gain too much time.
If want to spend the sunset at the peak you can use the Sky Terrace what is the preferred option for most tram passengers. But I recommend trying to be at the peak at least an hour before the sun really sets and take a walk. If you leave the building with the bus-station turn uphill and very soon turn to the left (you hardly can miss it). The Victoria Peak Pedestrian Road will take you around the peak in about an hour. You’ll find quite some different spots to take a photo, but the best ones for me are still the ones heading Victoria Harbour. Don’t expect to be on your own, but compared with the crowds on the terrace you can place your tripod much more undisturbed.
