Attraction
Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
The 34-metre bronze Big Buddha and the Chan Buddhist monastery beside it on the Ngong Ping plateau of Lantau Island, reached by cable car or bus…
Victoria Peak
Hong Kong Island's highest hill, reached by the historic Peak Tram from Central, with harbour views from Sky Terrace 428 and the level loop walk along Lugard Road.
At a glance
- Type
- Viewpoint and funicular
- Area
- The Peak, Hong Kong
- Official site
- thepeak.com.hk
Good to know
- Peak Tram funicular
- Sky Terrace 428 viewing deck
- Shopping and dining at Peak Tower and Peak Galleria
- Bus and minibus terminus
Why we recommend it
Victoria Peak rises to 552 metres and is the highest hill on Hong Kong Island. Early residents were carried up by sedan chair, the governor had a summer residence built there in the 1860s, and from 1904 the Peak Reservation Ordinance reserved it for non-Chinese residents, a policy later abandoned. Today it is the classic first stop for visitors, with a view across the skyscrapers of Central and Wan Chai, Victoria Harbour and the hills of Kowloon beyond.
Most people ride the Peak Tram, a funicular that opened in 1888 and was the first in Asia. The lower terminus is on Garden Road in Central, near St John's Cathedral, and the trams climb about 1.4 kilometres to the Peak Tower in roughly five minutes, on gradients of up to 27 degrees. The line reopened in August 2022 with new, larger cars that carry 210 passengers. The tram runs from 7.30am to 11pm daily, and occasional maintenance days are announced in advance on the official website.
At the top, the Peak Tower holds shops, restaurants and Sky Terrace 428, a paid viewing deck 428 metres above sea level that is open from 8.30am to 10pm. The neighbouring Peak Galleria houses the bus and green minibus terminus. You do not need a ticket to enjoy the view, though. The level walk along Lugard Road and Harlech Road circles the summit at the height of the Peak Tower and gives free views over the harbour, Kowloon, Lantau and Lamma. Allow about an hour for the loop at an easy pace.
Go on a clear day, as low cloud and haze can hide the skyline completely. Late afternoon is popular because you can see the city in daylight and stay for the lights after dark, but queues for the tram are longest then and at weekends. Arriving early in the morning is quieter. Families, couples and first-time visitors all get something out of it.
If the tram queue is long, buses and green minibuses also run up to the Peak Galleria, and a taxi is another option. Coming down by bus makes a change from the tram and gives a different view of the hillside. Hong Kong Park and the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware are a short walk from the lower terminus on Garden Road.
Victoria Peak FAQs
How do you get to Victoria Peak?
Take the Peak Tram from its lower terminus on Garden Road in Central, or a bus or green minibus to the terminus at the Peak Galleria.
What are the Peak Tram's operating hours?
The Peak Tram runs from 7.30am to 11pm every day, including public holidays.
When is Sky Terrace 428 open?
Sky Terrace 428 is open from 8.30am to 10pm daily.
Is there a free viewpoint at the Peak?
Yes. The level loop along Lugard Road and Harlech Road gives views over the harbour, Kowloon, Lantau and Lamma without a ticket.
How high is Victoria Peak?
The Peak rises to 552 metres, and Sky Terrace 428 sits 428 metres above sea level.
When is the best time to go?
Choose a clear day. Early morning is quieter, while late afternoon lets you see the view by day and after dark but brings the longest queues.
How long does the tram ride take?
The ride takes about five minutes from Central to the Peak Tower.
How old is the Peak Tram?
It opened in 1888 and was the first funicular railway in Asia. It reopened with new cars in August 2022.