...and suddenly we became part of the past... of this global village named Hong Kong. City that never sleeps!
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| Captured beautifully by J Mehta! |
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We are in Hong Kong for exactly 5 Years now and have seen tourist places with other friends or families visiting. But thanks to this special situation wherein you have no option to fly out but to stick in and around here. One tend to bring in fresh perspective. We look at brighter side of life and move ahead with whatever is in your plate, just enjoy!
Back in 2015 when we went for first time to 'The Peak', it was in October and it was rainy day and Mid Autumn festival time. We had queued up for the Tram to the Peak for not less than 3 hours (had made best friends with group of Thai tourist student just before us :p) Let's agree it was tiring. We were not well read and didn't knew of alternative ways to reach The Peak. Another time we trekked to The Peak, it was rainy day and then again in July of 2018 it was clearly too many clouds out there and then it kept happening in many different occasions that we could not catch clear day while being on The Peak.
The Peak is like the place to be at if you wish to enjoy the 360 degree views of Hong Kong from the Peak building sky terrace. One side is beautiful formation of excellent concrete jungle with view of sea dividing Hong Kong Side and Kowloon side and just when you move from one end of terrace to another you will find this beautiful Sea view with magnificent mountains.
So here we re-start exploring same place but with different perspective. This time we ensured to check weather before hand. We checked for very sunny and clear day, thats whenfrom Tung Chung we can see almost Macau and Shenzhen :p that much clear day! and we headed for The Peak!
We spent good 7-8 hours on The Peak this time around enjoying every nook and corner of the place.
What is The Peak?
The Peak is a major tourist attraction today in Hong Kong with avg 7 million people visiting there every year (Pre-Covid times). However, Historically this was a place which was used by Britishers as residences due to its temperate climate and panoramic views. The funicular (now know as Peak Tram) was built in 1888 for accessibility to the place and then the demand for residences and tourism never looked back.
The Peak is the name of place, which has The Peak Tower which is the boat shaped building and the Peak Galleria which is major shopping mall with open terrace and few other entertainment places.
The Peak is also called Victoria Peak or Mount Austin. Its a hill on western half of Hong Kong Island with views of Central, victoria harbour, lamma island and few other islands. The Peak has elevation of 552m (1811 Ft.), which makes it highest hill on the Hong Kong island.
How to reach The Peak?
This can be really really a tricky question. :) For several reasons, but prime most being that there are many ways and means to reach the Peak.
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Trekking from HKU MTR or from Central MTR till "The Peak"! It was wonderful experience minus some bruises :p
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- By Trekking: It will take approximately 1-1.5 hours walk from MTR Central Station to The Peak Tower
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| Trekking Map Guide. Source: The Peak Website. Off course this is one of the way but there are ample of other treks which will lead you till The Peak. |
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What to do at the Peak?
- Again the answer varies from person to person. If we go with visitors, we take them to the Madamme Tussaud Museum or Trick eye museum ( the one at Peak galleria is closed now, there is smaller version in the Peak tower building at 1st floor free of cost), chocolate museum, do shopping, eat Gelatos and return back.
- This time though, we spent good number of hours trolling around the nooks and corner. Started with The Peak Galleria Terrace from where one can see almost 270 degree views of Hong Kong. Little blocked the Peak tower. Then we went straight to The Peak Tower Sky Terrace (costed 52 HKD - payable by octopus per head or you can pre-book 2 days in advance on Klook website for some 10-15% discount).
- The Views from The Sky terrace of both with Sun, during Sunset and after Sun set is magnificient. The Peak is at height and obviously its all about those mesmerizing views. We caught some breath taking videos of Sunsets and Night time skyline from Peak Galleria. (they have beautifully made benches there to sit and just relax while you watch sun settling down over mountains and Sea) and captured the daylight from The Sy Terrace.
- We had in between wonderful time at Rajasthan Rifles having amazing Masala Chai. (More details to follow)
- Someone
who prefer having dinner or lunch with a view there are many resturant
just 1 level below the sky terrace from where you can enjoy your food
with a View.
- And lastly, there are nature walks for about 40
-60 mins around the Peak which can be done to reach to the garden and
small little waterfall area.
- For more details about what to do at The Peak, visit the THE PEAK WEBSITE
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Daytime Views From 360 Degrees Sky Terrace
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| Daytime Views From 360 Degrees Sky Terrace |
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| Panaromic Views From 360 Degrees Sky Terrace |
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Perfect Shot of Night View clicked by Jimit!
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Shot taken just after sunset!
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How much is ideal time to spend on The Peak ?
- The Peak has not only many options to reach but also many things "to do" or just sit and admire the views.
- So ideal time after reaching The Peak could be anywhere between 4 hours to even 8 hours.
- However, for people with short time in hand and just for the sake of quick view, just half an hour is also good enough.
Where to Eat at The Peak ?
- There are many many many options of where one can eat in The Peak tower and in The Peak Galleria
- Well, if going with kids do not forget to visit Candilicious ( Not Vegetarian, best to my understanding)
- Dining options can be found here - Dining at The Peak Tower, Dining at the Peak Galeria.
- The Peak Galleria has more options and many are budget friendly too.
- We visited the Rajasthan Rifles where we were greeted by Mr Manish Malhotra (Many Indians will have their eyebrows raised :p). No Not the Fashion Designer Manish. ;) Mr Manish of Rajasthan Rifles was such a sweetheart person.
- We wanted to have only tea and some snacks like toast to go along. But he rather customized a bit of Jain Parathas for us to go with Tea and we were throughly surprised to know that they can provide Jain options for lunch and dinner as well (to non fussy guys :p )
Once i stepped inside this beautiful, colorful and vibrant restaurant, i was not sure should i see outside view or inside decor ;) The Ambience of Rajasthan Royals is one big treasure box of Indian flavors. So authentic wooden carvings, peacock and peahen adorably kept with the spirit of Rajasthan borders on their quotes and welcoming heart, this place took my heart away. And i am definitely longing to go back there. Their service, care and detailing simply made us fall in love with it.
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With Amazing server - Mr Manish Malhotra. Good times at Rajasthan Rifles!
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It was such a beautiful clear day, that we made most of it by going all over places and clicking best shots that we could. Jimit Carried his Newly maintenance did Canon 70D to click the shots and expriment with those lights, sunsets, night views and all!
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We at The Peak! First perfect click with clear weather from The Peak! We carried Selfie Stick this time to strictly follow social distancing and getting clicked with timer on :p
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Small cute little Photo Stop on The Sky Terrace of Peak Tower!
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thats how The Tram to The Peak looks like!
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| My favourite most Sunset shots from Galleria Terrace |
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Just when it was perfect sun set, big cloud came in! Still making it a great shot!
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Thats Viewing pavillion from you can get some great shots as well. Its straight walk from Rajasthan rifles for 2 mins and there you are!
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We had almost whole day spent here, just mesmerized by the views this place has to offer. Its so beautiful and splendid. Its like poetry of any writer's imagination. Formation of cluster of buildings and Sea and mountains building up a view together to behold in eyes and etch in heart forever. The more i see you with different angle, the more i feel i am yet to see you, one can never be done too much with Dear HK!
Drop in your comments if you like to add something to the blog or do drop your reviews :) That's really motivating! For more travel options in Hong Kong - One can refer to my other blog :
https://globetrotterandbeyond.blogspot.com/2019/05/how-to-travel-world-renowned-city-like.html
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