| The Peak Hong Kong has been the preferred | | | | one during daylight and another in the |
| residence since the British arrived in 1841. | | | | evening to catch a memorable image of Hong |
| Top government officials and taipans built | | | | Kong illuminated. |
| their mansions there to escape the stifling | | | | |
| summer heat - it is cooler than the lower | | | | The best and most enjoyable way to reach The |
| reaches of Hong Kong Island - and were | | | | Peak Hong Kong is by the Peak Tram, one of |
| ferried up and down its steep slopes in sedan | | | | Hong Kong's oldest types of transportations. |
| chairs carried by Chinese coolies. | | | | This funicular railway first went into |
| | | | operation in 1888 and has since become a |
| The governor's summer residence was built | | | | vital transportation link as well as a |
| there and anyone who wished to settle in this | | | | popular tourist attraction. The ride from the |
| rarified atmosphere had to gain permission | | | | Central to the top of The Peak Tower takes |
| from the governor of the day. Up until 1945, | | | | approximately 7 minutes. |
| Chinese were forbidden to live on the Peak. | | | | |
| These days, the area remains a fashionable | | | | Visitors of all ages will be thrilled by the |
| place, reflected in real estate prices that | | | | ride, especially the steep climb towards the |
| are among the highest in the world. | | | | Tower. It climbs out of Central at an |
| | | | impossible angle to reach the upper station |
| From The Peak's various vantage points | | | | at the Peat Tower - a metallic, bowl-shaped |
| spectacular vistas take in most of Hong Kong | | | | landmark. From the terrace on the fifth floor |
| Island, Kowloon, much of the New Territories, | | | | of the tower, the views are quite |
| the outlying islands, mainland China, and | | | | outstanding, looking down the mountain to the |
| Macau. A trip to The Peak should be one of | | | | high-rise apartments of the Mid-Levels and |
| the first things visitors do after arriving | | | | the gleaming office towers crowded into |
| in Hong Kong, not only for its world-famous | | | | Central, and beyondthat across busy Victoria |
| views, but to gain a perspective of the city. | | | | Habor to Tsim Sha Tsui and kowloon, backed by |
| | | | the green jagged mountains of the New |
| Pick a cloudless day and make two journeys, | | | | Territories. |