Hong Kong Victoria Peak ~ China Travel Pictures

Hong Kong Views From Victoria Peak

There is no 'best' time for Victoria Peak views. It all depends on the weather and time of year. I have been there before and after noon. Sometimes morning mists still cover the harbour, and in late afternoon, the fogs roll in. Typhoons are also view blockers. One November, smog hung so heavy over Hong Kong, I could scarcely see across the harbour from sea level. Another visitor went in early evening, hoping for wonderful views of the city lights. It rained, and he saw nothing. Most guides adjust tour schedules to get the optimum views. Independent travelers take the tram from the Lower Peak Station on the spur of the moment.

Victoria Peak Tram Station

You can now take a tai chi class from the top of the renovated Peak Tram Station! Looking left from the view above, the Peak Station (which was undergoing extensive renovations May 2006) offers another vantage point for city and harbour views. Depending on the number of visitors and time of day, this scenic walk can be very crowded. A number of vendors selling souvenirs and paintings line the walkway that leads up from the station to the viewpoints. There's usually a photographer here as well, willing to take your picture for a price.

Former Entrance to Peak Tram Station

This was the entrance to the Victoria Peak station, located across an open air plaza centered with large, decorative water fountain from the shopping mall entrance.With the renovations underway, you may see a different entrance. The tram cars are/were accessed through those doors. Update: the renovations are completed.

Inside Victoria Peak Station

Passengers entering the station are directed into single file queues past the ticket agent (tours guides pay fare for their group). Once past the agent, you head to an open air platform. This is the view from the end of this platform nearest the station tram entrance.

Several of us jockeyed for position then took turns to take photos of the tram coming in. There's not a lot of time but from the noise of the cables below you that pull it up the hill, you can hear its approach and time your shot.

Independent travelers can pay the fare and hop on. (To quickly and roughly convert posted fares from Hong Kong dollars to U.S. or Canadian dollars, divide by 5. It will be a bit less than the result. I paid about $5 CAD return.)

Inside the Tram Car Coming down From Victoria Peak

Each tram car is filled with rows of wooden benches facing uphill and separated by a narrow aisle. The cars load rapidly from where you are lined up waiting to board.

Once inside, if you are quick about it, you can move towards the front of the car. If you are in the lead car, as I was this trip, you can shoot photos out the front, over the driver's shoulder.

For the best views, try for a window seat on the side away from the mountain. Remember, the seats face uphill. If you are seated as the tram is descending, you are facing backwards. I made a terrible nuisance of myself as I knelt on the bench so I could face front to take photos. (Those benches are hard on the knees!)

First Tram Car To Lower Peak Station

This is the view out the tram's front window in the lead car. I wanted to be sure to remember this almost rural views as the cars leave the station and head down to the Lower Peak Station.

Once you pass the last station before the Lower Peak Station, the tram slows for the final very steep descent. It's so steep that nearby buildings appear to be on a 45 degree angle. It's a very disconcerting optical illusion. To capture it in a photo, you cannot be close to the outside window (as I was) or the resulting photo appears as if you simply tilted your camera at an angle. Get back from the window so its frame shows in your view finder, then hold the camera level and shoot.

Aberdeen Harbour Sampan Tour Boat Passes Jumbo

At some point on a Hong Kong city tour, you will be taken to Aberdeen, on the other (south) side of Victoria Peak tram station and offered a choice: Wander around the dock for about 45 minutes, or take a sampan ride around the harbour, past the landmark Jumbo Floating Restaurant (photo) and floating village. These sampans are independently operated separate from the tours. The ride itself is well worth the $55 Hong Kong (($10 or so) you pay directly to the operator during the trip. One enterprising boat owner offered for sale an assortment of inexpensive trinkets.

Sampan Tour on Aberdeen Harbour

One of the dozen or so sampans that cruise Aberdeen harbour. The water is that incredible hue that heralds the tropics. The sampans cruise at a fairly slow speed, and the waters have been calm when I have been here, so passengers really enjoy this part of the tour. The hotel package I use includes a half day city tour, and I usually take it. Much changes in Hong Kong from year to year, and it's always nice to see what's new.

Aberdeen Harbour Floating Home Sampans

The sampans manoeuvre between rows of these floating homes, and sometimes, it seems, you could reach out and shake hands with the owner. Fish caught for sale in this bay (part of the South China Sea) include snapper and groupers, similar to Australia, our guide informed. In the Cantonese style, fish are kept alive until the cook is ready to make dinner.

Drying Seafood Atop Sampan

Again, depending on the time of year and luck of the catch, you might see harbour boats such as this one with racks of drying seafood along the length of the roof. Our guide this day said they were racks of shrimp, but I can't be sure. Some one else volunteered they might be squid. Whatever they were, they looked lovely and golden in the sunlight.

Small Aberdeen Shanty Town

As you head back to dock and continue the tour, you pass this cluster of wood and metal which appears to be a residence and workshop. This shanty town has been here for several years now that I know of, and is such a contrast from the high rises around it. This shack makes the rudimenary boat homes seem a higher class neighbourhood.

Dynasty Jewellery Hong Kong Popular City Tour Stop

Another stop on the city tour is at the Dynasty Jewelery retail showroom, where craftmen and goldsmiths demonstrate their skills near the entrance. Visitors are shown a short video of the company's history and wares, then proceed to the expansive showroom. There are restrooms here, and a small coffee bar. The showroom itself is full of gorgeous designs, and well worth a look. There's not much time to consider large purchases, so use this as a factfinding pre-buying opportunity.

Dynasty Jewelery Retail Showroom

Inside the Dynasty showroom and retail store, there are dozens of display cases each showcasing the different types of jewellery. This display is one of several for jade items. Others will be devoted to diamonds, sapphires, opals and pearl, and so on. It's a good opportunity to see how these jewellery designs differ from those in other countries. Even if you've no plans to buy anything, it's a lot of fun to look around with no pressure to buy.

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