Hong Kong's Victoria Peak

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Hong Kong, China

The skies on my first full day in Hong Kong were clear and bright with only a few puffy clouds, so I figured I'd make the best use I could out of the unusual August weather by taking the historic Peak Tram directly from the downtown area up to Victoria Peak for the best views over one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Victoria Peak is nearly 1,800 feet in elevation and the highest point on Hong Kong Island but not much more than a mile from the skyscrapers standing on land reclaimed from the harbor, so the views in all directions from the paved trail around the peak are absolutely spectacular. High land being cooler as well as having pretty views, Victoria Peak was where the British colonials dwealt and continues to be some of the priciest real estate in one of the world's priciest cities.

This being Hong Kong, the peak tram terminates for one's "shopping convenience" (as stated) in a multi-story shopping mall named the Peak Tower, through which one must navigate five levels of stores and escalators to get to the free viewing platform at the top