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