peak tower peeking

On my flight to Manila last December, I made a few nights stop over to Hong Kong and met up with some people. It was a Do It Yourself (DIY) side trip. After a little research before my flight, Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) was identified as the best location for our temporary abode and to match our planned activities. It is near to almost everything especially to the coolest street to do the food trip (will come in a separate post).

In the first afternoon, we shrunk through the shopping stalls. There are so many quirky, bizarre and hip stuff being offered. I intentionally bought a huge red Minnie and Mickey bag from there, knowing that I would be needing an additional bag just before consummating the flight to Manila. We were then headed to Victoria Peak.

peak tram

There are two ways to reach the Peak: to take the tram/bus or to walk up thereeee (It’s so high, imagine yourself hiking. I thought the residents were bluffing us. But I personally witnessed few athletic and adventurous fellows who dared to climb, err, walk up to the Peak). We took the Peak tram. The experience was like riding in a skyrocket. The tram kept on riding up, that it’s like being on the upward right side of a very steep triangle . And when it’s time to go down, the tram wouldn’t reverse. So you are seated backwards going down. That saved me. Or else my fear of heights will attack me (again).

harbour 2

Victoria Peak is the highest mountain in Hong Kong Island, with 1,810 feet altitude. This tops the Travel Advisor’s list of must-sees in Hong Kong.

harbour

The view is breathtaking. A good spot to appreciate the skyline is in Burger King. However, to appreciate it at its best you have to pay a little extra for an entry to the Sky Terrace. It was night time when we went there. Hence, it was especially cold.

harbour 3

You will enjoy being on the Sky Terrace. This is one of the moments wherein you would just want to do nothing (besides taking photos) but stare, keep looking, forget any slight fear of heights or any fear, and worries that you have.

peak galleria

At the Peak, there are souvenir shops, bookstore, gaming centre, and al fresco restaurants.

al fresco peak tower

A number of people (including us) badly wanted to dine here. It would be like ancient time dining on a hill. Unfortunately, a private gathering was held that night.

peak tower gingerbread house

This giant gingerbread house was a main attraction last December.

HK tower collage

As I sorted the photos that I took in different days, I noticed the ‘anatomy’ of the view from the Peak. These ones were taken during my visit to the Central District.

avenue of stars 2

If you’re exploring HK by yourself, better earmark Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Museum, and Symphony of lights for one go.

from bay 3

The other way to appreciate Victoria Harbour is at Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, near Avenue of Stars. I suggest that you go there before 8pm just in time for the daily Symphony of Lights. There are approximately 44 key buildings in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island that participate in this musical showcase. Beware of asking for directions though in case your map doesn’t serve you well. Instead of asking for the venue for the Symphony of Lights, just be pointed to the Avenue of Stars’ direction. Or else you’d probably not get in time because of the language barrier and (surprising) unfamiliarity of the Chinese to the terminology itself.

harbour 6

But I highly recommend that you view the harbour from the Peak, on the Sky Terrace in particular. And be there from sunset till night. There’s no doubt why this is included in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die.