From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak and high-value residential land is the area that is normal-
ly meant by the name The Peak. It is a major tourist attrac-
tion which offers views over central Hong Kong, Victoria
Harbour, and the surrounding islands.
History
The top of Victoria Peak, with the radio stations
Elevation 552 m (1,811 ft)
Location
The view of Hong Kong, Kowloon and Victoria Harbour from
the top of Victoria Peak.
Victoria Peak
Hong Kong
Coordinates 22°16′31.69″N 114°8′37.78″E / 22.2754694°N
114.1438278°E / 22.2754694;
114.1438278Coordinates: 22°16′31.69″N
114°8′37.78″E / 22.2754694°N 114.1438278°E /
22.2754694; 114.1438278
The Peak Tram approaching the Peak Tower.
Victoria Peak (traditional Chinese: 太平山, or previously- As early as 19th century, the Peak attracted prominent
扯旗山) is a mountain in Hong Kong. It is also known as European residents because of its panoramic view over
Mount Austin and locally as The Peak The mountain is
Austin, Peak. the city and its temperate climate compared to the sub-
located in the western half of Hong Kong Island. With an tropical climate in the rest of Hong Kong. The sixth
altitude of 552 m (1,811 ft), it is the highest mountain on Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Richard MacDonnell had a
the island proper, but not in the entirety of Hong Kong, summer residence built on the Peak circa 1868.[1] Those
an honour which belongs to Tai Mo Shan. that built houses named them whimsically, such as The
The actual summit of Victoria Peak is occupied by Eyrie, and the Austin Arms. See First houses on the Peak.
a radio telecommunications facility and is closed to the These original residents reached their homes by
public. However, the surrounding area of public parks sedan chairs, which were carried up and down the steep
slope of Victoria Peak. This limited development of the
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Victoria Peak
Peak until the opening of the Peak Tram funicular in
1888.[1][2]
The boost to accessibility caused by the opening of
the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the
Peak. Between 1904 and 1930, the Peak Reservation Or-
dinance designated the Peak as an exclusive residential
area reserved for non-Chinese. They also reserved the
Peak Tram for the use of such passengers during peak pe-
riods. The Peak remains an upmarket residential area, al-
though residency today is based on wealth.
Tourism
View of Pok Fu Lam from Victoria Peak at sunset.
up from Hong Kong’s Central district, whilst the Peak
Galleria incorporates the bus station used by the Hong
Kong public buses and green minibuses on the Peak. The
Peak is also accessible by taxi and private car via the cir-
cuitous Peak Road, or by walking up the steep Old Peak
Road from near the Zoological Botanical Gardens.
Victoria Peak Garden is located on the site of Moun-
tain Lodge, the Governor’s old summer residence, and
is the closest publicly accessible point to the summit. It
can be reached from Victoria Gap by walking up Mount
Austin Road, a climb of about 150 metres (490 ft). Another
The Peak Tower from Peak Road. The entrance to the Peak Gal-
popular walk is the level loop along Lugard Road, giving
leria is to the right.
good views of Hong Kong’s Central district and Kowloon,
and then returning via Harlech Road, encircling the sum-
mit at the level of the Peak Tower.[3] There are several
restaurants on Victoria Peak, most of which are located
in the two shopping centres. However, the Peak Lookout
Restaurant, is housed in an older and more traditional
building which was originally a spacious house for en-
gineers working on the Peak Tramway. It was rebuilt in
1901 as a stop area for sedan chairs, but was re-opened as
a restaurant in 1947.
Natural history
The Peak is home to many species of birds, most promi-
nently the Black Kite, and to numerous species of butter-
The road junction at the Peak Tower. From left : Peak Road, the flies.
Peak Lookout Restaurant, Harlech Road (with street vendor),
Mount Austin Road (with taxi), Lugard Road. Alternative names
With some seven million visitors every year, the Peak is
a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. It offers spec- See also
tacular views of the city and its harbours. The number of • List of mountains, peaks and hills in Hong Kong
visitors led to the construction of two major leisure and • The Peak Hotel, a hotel located on Victoria Peak
shopping centres, the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria, from 1888 to 1936
situated adjacent to each other. • List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
The Peak Tower incorporates the upper station of the • Tourism in Hong Kong
Peak Tram, the funicular railway that brings passengers • List of places named after Queen Victoria
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Victoria Peak
Name Native Cantonese (Jyut- Etymology
ping)
ping)
太平山頂 taai3 ping4 saan1 deng2 literally means "pacific mountain peak" or "mountain peak of great
peace"
山頂 saan1 deng2 corresponds to the English name "The Peak"
扯旗山 ce2 kei4 saan1 literally means "flag-raising mountain"
爐峰 lou4 fung1 literally means "furnace peak"
維多利亞山 wai4 do1 lei6 aa3 saan1 A phonetic transliteration of the English name "Victoria Peak"
柯士甸山 o1 si6 din1 saan1 A phonetic transliteration of the English name "Mount Austin"
• Peak Reservation Ordinance http://www.thepeak.com.hk/full/en/
history_peak_tram.php. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
References [3] http://www.thepeak.com.hk/full/en/nature.php
[1] ^ "The Peak History". The Peak. Archived from the
original on 7 March 2007. http://web.archive.org/
External links
web/20070307162038/ • Official site of the Peak Tramways and Tower
http://www.thepeak.com.hk/full/en/history.php. • The Peak to undergo facelift (Chinese)
Retrieved 14 March 2007. • Peak Lookout Restaurant
[2] "Peak Tram History". The Peak Hong Kong. • More photos of Victoria Peak
Archived from the original on 20 February 2007. • Photos of Victoria Peak at official Hong Kong
http://web.archive.org/web/20070220201034/ tourism website
• The Peak and the Hikers’ Trail
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Peak"
Categories: Visitor attractions in Hong Kong, Mountains, peaks and hills of Hong Kong, Victoria Peak
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