Winding roads swerve in and out of the little mountain that conveys people to the summit of Hong Kong and once you reach the peak, a vista that scintillates all your senses awaits you. The summit which is located towards the West of Hong Kong, offers a unparalleled view of the Lamma Islands, the Central and Victoria Harbour. The locals refer to the mountain as ‘The Peak’ or its more common local name of ‘Mount Austin’.
The Peak is known to have some of the most sought after residential properties of the country underpinned by the panoramic views and relatively cooler climatic conditions as opposed to the rest of the country. The earliest resident on Victoria Peak is said to be Sir Richard Mac Donnell, the sixth Governor of Hong Kong along with some European residents. It was not until approximately two decades afterwards in the year 1888 that a tram was built to reach the upper parts of the hill. Previously residents would use sedan chairs that were carried up the slopes.
The Peak is home to the Black Kite and an assortment of butterflies and birds. However, it continues to gain prominence among tourists due to the shopping malls, the Peak Tower and Peak Galleria which house a number of restaurants and shops where people can relax after feasting their eyes through the telescopes that are placed at the summit. Probably the people’s favourite restaurant is the Peak Lookout, which is a former engineer’s home converted to a restaurant after the completion of building the tram. It enjoys a fantastic spot of the hill and is built in more traditional architectural styles that exude Hong Kong’s flair of yesteryear.
Though none of the Hong Kong serviced apartments are located on the Victoria Peak itself, there are several serviced accommodation Hong Kong within proximity that would allow you to hop aboard a tram that elevates you to the top or take the 150m long climb through Mount Austin Road from Victoria Gap. The Citadines Ashley Hong Kong is a well known home for tourists who find that it is a rewarding accommodation option.
