No matter where you are in the world “go to the top of the tall thing” is one of the simplest and most fun things you can do. Victoria Peak in Hong Kong provides one of the best views anywhere in the world.
But the Peak is a little different from most tall buildings or mountain tops in that there are multiple ways to get there. Your time at the top could just be a quick look around or you could plan to spend the entire day up there. Before you go here’s what I recommend.
Check the Weather First
The weather in Hong Kong can change very rapidly. It’s certainly possible that it could be sunny when you leave your hotel and pouring rain when you arrive at Victoria Peak. In the photo above you can see the Peak; or rather you can’t see it because it’s completely consumed by fog.
This photo was taken pretty close to the Peak from the Bishop Lei International House and it really illustrates how the mountains create little micro-climates here. The first time I visited Victoria Peak it was fully fogged in and I can tell you it’s not a lot of fun to see it that way.
Riding the Peak Tram
The Peak Tram is a funicular line that goes straight up the mountain. The trip to the top varies in price from $8 USD for an off-peak one-way ride to $14 round trip on busy days.
The Peak Tram has several “stops” but it is often crowded with tourists and doesn’t necessarily make all the stops. It’s recommended to only plan to go from the base to the Peak. The base station is an easy walk from the MTR Central station. It’s also right next to the Murray Hotel, which has an outstanding rooftop bar for lunch, dinner or drinks.
Victoria Peak is a bit unique in that it’s not just a tourist attraction, it’s a regular part of the city. There are public roads and people living up there. You can also reach the Peak by bus, mini-bus or taxi and even the taxi is likely to cost about the same as the tram. If you want to end up somewhere else after visiting Victoria Peak a cab is probably the best bet on your way back. There’s a cab stand up there which is easy to find.
If you don’t mind navigating the transit system the savings on the bus can be enough to cover a phenomenal Hong Kong meal.
SkyTerrace 428
The main feature at Victoria Peak is the SkyTerrace 428 Observation Deck, so called because it’s 428 meters (1404 feet) above sea level. Considering that the harbor is sea level it’s pretty steep. Visitors can buy tickets to the observation deck along with the Peak Tram ticket. If you anticipate a busy day you can book here on Viator ahead of time for the same price.
To be honest you can probably skip this part. The Peak Tram drops you off inside the base of this building. It’s a mall, but not a typical retail mall. It’s only souvenir shops, coffee and candy, and attractions like Madam Toussaud’s, a selfie studio, and claw machines (which are super popular in HK). There’s also a Bubba Gump restaurant in here.
Visitors can explore the mall and see the views from the lower floors for no additional cost. There’s a turnstile at the observation deck itself. You have to have your ticket in advance though. It’s not possible to reach the top and then decide to buy a ticket.
Where’s the Money? This site may contain affiliate links. Many travel sites include such links to earn a commission at no cost to readers.
The Views from Victoria Peak
The observation deck does offer the best views. On a crowded day it might be worth visiting because it could be less crowded. But in terms of enjoying the views it’s like the difference between being on the 95th or 100th floor of a skyscraper.
There are also free observation decks at Victoria Peak with amazing views and great photo ops. There’s another mall aside from the one containing SkyTerrace 428 with its own (free) observation level. You can see both the city side and Hong Kong Bay from here. You can also decide to have lunch, shop, or enjoy the Monopoly themed attraction inside.
The Lions Club pavilion is another nice spot with city views, and there’s a shady lane to walk around and explore here. Overall Victoria Peak is a great attraction that’s worth a visit on every trip to Hong Kong. But it pays to know what to expect ahead of time.
