Hong Kong: Peaktastic

14th August 2009
HONG KONG: PEAKTASTIC

Today we caught the ferry over to Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. It runs every 7-8 mins from the harbour, like a bus and costs only 20p! We caught a taxi to The Peak, Hong Kong’s most “notable natural landmark”.

At 1800+ ft above sea level, The Peak was a natural signalling post for incoming cargo ships in the 19th century and attracted European, prominent residents because of its panoramic view over the colony. Its temperate climate was attractive to Europeans compared to the sub-tropical climate in the rest of Hong Kong. By 1883 Hong Kong’s population had reached 173,475 with some 30-40 families calling The Peak their home.

These original residents reached their homes by sedan chairs, which were carried up and down the steep slope of Victoria Peak by locals. This limited development of the Peak until the opening of the Peak Tram in 1888, the first cable funicular in Asia, extending 1,350 metres and connecting five intermediate stations. The carriage seated 30 passengers in three classes, with the centre compartment reserved for first class travel. The Peak Tram is arguably the most enduring emblem of Hong Kong’s unique past. It has seen war, been featured on films and television and played host to numerous dignitaries.

With a regular and reliable form of public transportation now available, the Peak quickly became renowned for its spectacular views of the city and the harbour. Today, the Peak attracts some seven million visitors a year.

At the top of The Peak there is a 360’ viewing tower in the shape of a wok. It is regarded by many as the ugliest building in Hong Kong, but I thought it was rather nice. Inside the wok there are oodles of shops and restaurants and even Madame Tussaud’s – where we whiled away a few hours posing with the waxworks.

We spent the evening at the top of the Peak admiring the view by night, chatting about our experience so far and all we had achieved. The time has gone so quickly and we have covered a lot of ground. We haven’t had a chance to chill out, breathe and take it all in yet, so our upcoming week in Thailand will be a welcome break.

Although cities are not my thing and do not overly interest me, it has been great to see somewhere so different and to be able to add Hong Kong to the list of places we have visited. Hong Kong is a different kettle of fish to mainland China; it boats a western refinement that mainland China certainly does not.

The British history is very much apparent; you can see our influences all around from the road signs to the people. They are much more polite and have greater spatial awareness, which has been a refreshing change after being constantly trampled on or stared at. We have seen no spitting or children pissing in the street, which they do constantly in mainland China! So HK definitely has the edge on sophistication.

Avoid ice-cream with ‘anus’ as any part of the flavour