Victoria Peak
The Peak Tram climbs to 396 m for the classic view over Central, Victoria Harbour and Kowloon from Hong Kong Island.
At a glance
Opened in 1888, the Peak Tram was the first funicular railway in Asia, climbing gradients of up to 25.7 degrees.
Victoria Peak, 552 m high, is the highest hill on Hong Kong Island. "The Peak" usually means the area of viewpoints, parks and the Peak Tower complex at Victoria Gap, about 150 m below the summit, which is occupied by a radio facility and closed to the public. From there the view takes in the towers of Central, Victoria Harbour, Kowloon and, on clear days, Lamma and the outlying islands.
The usual way up is the Peak Tram, a funicular in service since 1888 that climbs about 1.4 km from Garden Road, in Central, to 396 m, renovated and reopened in 2022. At the top are the Peak Tower, with Sky Terrace 428, the highest viewing platform in Hong Kong at 428 m above sea level, restaurants, shops and Madame Tussauds, and the Peak Galleria. Lugard Road, a level path round the hill, has some of the best-known views of the city.
For cruise passengers it is the classic half day on Hong Kong Island. From Kai Tak it takes about an hour by bus and MTR to Central, plus the walk to the tram terminus and the queue, which can be long at weekends. Check the visibility before going, as low cloud can hide the view.
Official websiteGetting there from the port
5 optionsYour day in port
Example: call from 08:00 to 18:00, all aboard at 17:30.
- 08:30AshoreBus 22S to Kai Tak station and MTR to Central, exit J2.
- 09:45Peak TramWalk 10 to 15 minutes to the Garden Road terminus and ride up.
- 10:30Sky Terrace and Lugard RoadThe view from Sky Terrace 428, then a walk along Lugard Road.
- 12:30Lunch at the PeakRestaurants in the Peak Tower or the Peak Galleria.
- 13:45Down to CentralTram or bus 15 down; Hong Kong Park is a short walk from the lower terminus.
- 15:00Back to the shipMTR and bus 22S to Kai Tak, to be on board by 16:30.
What to see
- 1Peak TramThe funicular from Garden Road, in service since 1888, where the towers seem to lean as you climb.
- 2Sky Terrace 428The roof terrace of the Peak Tower, 428 m above sea level, the highest viewing platform in Hong Kong (separate ticket or combo with the tram).
- 3Lugard RoadThe level path round the hill with the classic view over Central and the harbour.
- 4The Peak TowerThe building at the upper terminus, shaped like a wok, with restaurants, shops and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
- 5Victoria Peak GardenA quieter garden higher up the hill, about 1.2 km from the Peak Tower.
Tips for cruise passengers
- TicketsBuy online in advance or at the terminus. You can also tap an Octopus card at the gate, and return or combo discounts apply automatically to the same card on the same day.
- HoursPeak Tram 07:30 to 23:00 every day. Sky Terrace 428 opens 10:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 08:00 to 22:00 at weekends and on public holidays.
- Strollers and luggageStrollers must be folded (no wider than 66 cm) to board the tram, and there is no luggage storage at the terminus or in the Peak Tower.
- Bus 15 as an alternativeCitybus 15 runs from Central (Exchange Square and Central Pier) to the Peak every 7 to 15 minutes, useful if the tram queue is long or to come back down.
- Tripods and dronesTripods are not allowed on the tram, in the Peak Tower or on Sky Terrace 428, and drones are prohibited.
Accessibility & families
Partly accessible: the official site refers wheelchair users to the People of Fortitude website for accessible routes, and strollers must be folded on the tram. Lugard Road is level and works well with children.
In pictures
