| Revision as of 19:35, 17 May 2006 edit24.80.225.209 (talk) →External links← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:36, 17 May 2006 edit undo24.80.225.209 (talk) →External linksNext edit → | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| *http://www.hkta.org/sightseeing/hkisland_central.html | *http://www.hkta.org/sightseeing/hkisland_central.html | ||
| *http://www.peninsula.com/highlights/peak/tower.html | *http://www.peninsula.com/highlights/peak/tower.html | ||
Revision as of 19:36, 17 May 2006
For other places with the same name, see Victoria Peak (disambiguation).
Victoria Peak or The Peak (扯旗山, 爐峯, 太平山頂, Tai Ping Shan, Mount Austin) is a mountain in the southwest of Hong Kong Island. With an altitude of 552 m, it is the highest mountain on the island and the 11th highest in Hong Kong.
With about six million visitors every year, the Peak is the biggest tourist attraction in Hong Kong. It offers spectacular views of the city and bay. One can see the Kowloon Peninsula from the Peak Tower at Victoria Gap.
The Peak area, covering the Peak, Victoria Gap, Mount Kellet, Jardine's Corner, Mount Gough, Plantation Road, is also home to some of Hong Kong's wealthiest residents.
Peak Tower
The Peak Tower is located at Victoria Gap, and houses the upper terminus of the Peak Tram. It is not located at the top of Victoria Peak, but at an elevation of 396 m. Because the architects sought a design which would be prominent on the skyline but would not interrupt the natural line of the hills, they chose a site in a dip along the line of the hills, and restricted the tower's height to 428 m above sea level.
The Peak Tower was designed by the British architect Terry Farrell. It has seven floors with a total area of 10,400 m² (112,000 ft²) in a wok shape. There is a viewing platform on the third floor.
In 1997 Peak Tower was redeveloped with new attractions including Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, Hong Kong's Historical Adventure (a journey through scenes of the Hong Kong's early history, and the first computer-operated entertainment ride in Hong Kong), Madame Tussaud's (a branch of London's famous wax museum) and the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator. The Peak Tower also houses many gift shops selling Chinese arts and crafts, cosmetics, books, and other souvenirs.
As of January 7 2006, the Peak Tower is closed for renovation. The Peak Tram service continues to operate.
Restaurants
There are several restaurants on Victoria Peak.
The Peak Lookout Restaurant originally was a rooming house and working area for British engineers working on the Peak Tramway. In 1901 it was rebuilt to become a stopping area for private or public sedan chairs. The facility was rebuilt as a restaurant in 1947.
Other restaurants include L16 Restaurant and Cafe Deco.
Lung Fu San Trail
Lung Fu San Fitness Trail is a 2750 m long trail exhibiting the environment of the Peak. Signs provide information about safe hiking on the road. The trail starts at Pinewood Garden, routing through the Pinewood Battery, a few barbecue sites, a number of shelters, a flight of steps and a section of steep road before arriving at the junction of Harlech Road and Hatton Road. It takes about 60 minutes to complete the trail.
Transportation
The Peak Tram is a funicular railway that provides access to the Peak and surrounding areas. The Peak is also accessible by public bus, by taxi or private car, or on foot.
See also
- List of mountains, peaks and hills in Hong Kong
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
- Tourism in Hong Kong
External links
- The Peak Hong Kong Official site
- Victoria Peak in Hong Kong Photos and Tourism Information
- http://www.hkta.org/sightseeing/hkisland_central.html
- http://www.peninsula.com/highlights/peak/tower.html
- The Peak to undergo facelift (Chinese)