Even if you’re only in Hong Kong for a day, don’t miss out on visiting Victoria Peak. Known to locals as The Peak, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island. It’s been among the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods since colonial times. Many of the city’s rich and affluent settled here because of its higher elevation and cooler air.
Fast forward to the present and The Peak is still one of Hong Kong’s go-to destinations. Even locals visit Victoria Peak regularly themselves to breathe in its spectacular vistas.
By day, Victoria Peak unleashes views of Victoria Harbour, and the gleaming skyscrapers of Central, Wan Chai, and Kowloon. You’ll even see as far as the green hills of the New Territories. At night, you’ll dazzle at a galaxy of lights illuminated from the city’s buildings.
Ready to plan your visit? Discover what to see & do at Victoria Peak with this complete guide for travellers.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our Hong Kong Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
What to see & do at Victoria Peak
Peak Tower
Victoria Peak offers many vantage points. One of the finest is the anvil-shaped Peak Tower. This popular Hong Kong shopping complex sits near the mountain’s apex and at the upper terminus of the Peak Tram.
Peak Tower boasts an enormous viewing platform called Sky Terrace 428. From the deck, you’ll enjoy superb views over the city.
At Peak Tower, you’ll also find several retail outlets and dining locations. Although the food won’t compare to what you’ll find in Central District below, it’s good for a bite. (Especially if your journey up The Peak involved a hike.)
The Peak Galleria
While on Victoria Peak, be sure to visit The Peak Galleria. The 4-floor leisure & shopping complex offers dozens of shops and restaurants. Many of the stores focus around fashion, home, and beauty.
The 3rd floor of Peak Gallery is also home to a free observation deck with breathtaking views. It’s a tad larger than its Peak Tower counterpart even.
Peak Circle Walk
Need to immerse yourself into nature? Burn off a few calories on the Peak Circle Walk. The 3.5-kilometre Peak Circle Walk circumnavigates The Peak. The route is also known as the Victoria Peak Trail or the Harlech Road and Lugard Road Circular Walk.
On the way, you’ll have a chance to spot several species of birds tweeting around the summit. You may even catch a glimpse of a wild boar, porcupine, or snake. (Although unlikely.)
The full Peak Circle Walk should take about 1.5 hours to complete. You can extend your visit with a trip to Pinewood Battery or Lung Fu Shan Country Park around the intersection of Lugard Road and Harlech Road.
At the trail’s starting point, you can also choose to head south towards Pok Fu Lam Reservoir. It’s one of the best hiking trails in Hong Kong.
Peak Tram
The Peak Tram is Hong Kong’s oldest mode of transport. This legendary funicular railway has run between Admiralty and Victoria Peak since 1888. And it’s an absolute delight to ride.
The 1.4-kilometre route to the peak gains about 400 metres in elevation. Along the way, you’ll watch Hong Kong’s skyscrapers slide past you at impossible angles. To many, the ride is one of the coolest things to see & do Hong Kong.
History buffs should also consider visiting The Peak Tram Historical Gallery. Located at Lower Terminus, the gallery pays tribute to the heritage of the tram and the history of Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak Garden
Little known fact: The terminus stops short of the summit. To get to Victoria Peak’s highest point, you’ll need to walk 20 minutes further up Mount Austin Road. When you get to the road’s end, you’ll reach the beautiful Victoria Peak Garden.
The gardens once housed the summer residence of Hong Kong’s governor. Today, Victoria Peak Garden is a public park with meandering paths through a lovely Victorian garden.
The big reason to visit though is the view. Unlike at the other viewing platforms, you’ll get 360-degree views of Hong Kong, including to the south. It’s well worth the short trek up to experience it.
Mount Austin Playground
Visiting Hong Kong with kids? Mount Austin Playground is one of the city’s best open green spaces. It’s just a quick ten-minute walk from the upper terminus of the Peak Tram.
At Mount Austin Playground, families will enjoy a peaceful setting that’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon picnic. Kids will keep themselves busy here, too. The park is home to a small, but well-equipped, children’s playground area.
How to get to Victoria Peak
Peak Tram
There are several ways to get up Victoria Peak. None more is worthy to mention than The Peak Tram.
The Peak Tram boards from Peak Tram Lower Terminus on Garden Road. The easiest way to get to the terminus is to take a bus 15C from Central Pier 8. You can also use exit J2 of Central MTR Station and walk to the tram station.
As you’d imagine, The Peak Tram is insanely popular with visitors. The station is often crowded and line-ups can seem endless. Don’t have time (or patience) for waiting in the queue? Here are some alternative transportation options:
Hike up Victoria Peak
Gt extra time and energy? Consider hiking to the top of Victoria Peak. The most direct route to the summit is via Old Peak Road. The road starts just above the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens at the intersection of Albany Road and Robinson Road. This moderately challenging hike emerges near the Peak Tower.
Starting your trip from Mid-Levels or Sheung Wan? You can also take the longer, but more scenic, Lung Fu Shan Morning Trail. The trail connects to Hatton Road which meets up with the Peak Circle Walk at the top.
If you’re visiting Hong Kong in the warmer months, be sure to wear a hat and bring plenty of water.
By bus
Bus No. 15 runs between the Central Pier 5 and The Peak. On Sunday and public holidays, you can also catch the bus at the Central Bus Terminus below One & Two Exchange Square. The journey to Peak Galleria will take about 40 minutes.
To get to the top, there’s also a minibus from Hong Kong Station. From the green minibus stop under International Finance Centre 2 (IFC2), take Minibus No. 1. The minibuses depart every 5-15 minutes between 6:20am to 12:00am. The journey to the top of Victoria Peak will take about 30 minutes.
By taxi or ride-share
From anywhere in Hong Kong, you can also catch a taxi or Uber to Victoria Peak. It’s the most expensive option but also the quickest and most convenient.
Note that if you’re taking a taxi from Kowloon, you’ll need to pay twice for the cross-harbour tunnel toll.
