Victoria Peak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Victoria Peak
Chinese name
Chinese	太平山
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Tàipíngshān Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Taai pìhng sāan Jyutping Taai3 ping4 saan1
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese	扯旗山
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Chěqíshān Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Ché kèih sāan Jyutping Ce2 kei4 saan1
Victoria Peak from Victoria Gap
Highest point
Naming
Native name	太平山  (Chinese)  (Chinese)
Geography
Victoria Peak Location in Hong Kong
Location	Central and Western District, Hong Kong Island

Victoria Peak is a famous hill on the western side of Hong Kong Island. People also call it Mount Austin or simply The Peak. It stands at 552 meters (about 1,811 feet) tall, making it the highest hill on Hong Kong Island. It is also the 29th tallest hill in all of Hong Kong.

The very top of Victoria Peak has a radio tower and is not open to the public. But the area around it, with its parks, shops, and homes, is what most people mean when they say "The Peak." This area includes places like Victoria Gap, Mount Kellett, and Mount Gough. Victoria Peak is known for its amazing views of Central, Victoria Harbour, and nearby islands like Lamma Island.

History of Victoria Peak

Why People Moved to The Peak

Back in the 1800s, Victoria Peak became a popular place for European residents to live. They loved the amazing views of the city. Also, the weather on the Peak was cooler and more comfortable than the hot, humid weather in other parts of Hong Kong.

The sixth Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Richard MacDonnell, even built a summer house there around 1868. Early residents gave fun names to their homes, like "The Eyrie."

Getting Around: From Sedan Chairs to the Peak Tram

At first, people living on the Peak had to travel by sedan chairs. These were like seats carried by people up and down the steep slopes. This made it hard to build many homes there.

Everything changed in 1888 when the Peak Tram opened. This was a special railway that pulled carriages up the steep hill. It made it much easier for people to reach their homes on the Peak.

Who Could Live on The Peak?

After the Peak Tram opened, more people wanted to live on the Peak. Between 1904 and 1930, a rule called the Peak Reservation Ordinance was in place. This rule said that only non-Chinese people could live in this special area. It also meant that the Peak Tram was mainly for these residents during busy times. Today, anyone can live on the Peak if they can afford it, and it remains a very expensive place to live.

In 1905, the Pinewood Battery was built on the western side of the Peak. This was a military fort. Harlech Road was built around the Peak to help bring supplies to this fort.

In the 1920s, Robert Hotung became the first Chinese person to live on the Peak. This was special because of the rules at the time. His home, Ho Tung Gardens, was a very valuable property.

What to See and Do at Victoria Peak

The Peak Tower from Peak Road. The Peak Galleria is to the right.

The road junction at Victoria Gap, next to the Peak Tower. From left to right: Peak Road, the Peak Lookout Restaurant, Harlech Road (with street vendor), Mount Austin Road (with taxi), and Lugard Road.

View of Victoria Harbour from Victoria Peak. The 'Victoria Harbour Gateway' formed by the Two International Finance Centre and the International Commerce Centre on the opposite shore can clearly be seen.

Peak Tram approaching the Peak Tower

The summit is the site of radio telecommunication facilities

Victoria Peak is one of Hong Kong's most popular places to visit, with millions of visitors each year. People come for the amazing views of the city and its waterfront. You can even use coin-operated telescopes to get a closer look at the city below.

Shopping and Fun at The Peak

To serve all the visitors, two main shopping and fun centers were built: the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria. They are right next to each other.

The Peak Tower is where the upper station of the Peak Tram is located. The tram brings people up from the Central district. The Peak Galleria has a bus station for public buses and minibuses.

How to Get to The Peak

Besides the Peak Tram, you can also reach the Peak by taxi or private car using the winding Peak Road. If you like walking, you can hike up the steep Old Peak Road or the Central Green Trail. The closest train station (MTR) is Central.

Exploring the Gardens and Trails

Victoria Peak Garden is a public park located where the Governor's old summer house used to be. It's the closest place to the very top of the Peak that you can visit. You can walk there from Victoria Gap up Mount Austin Road.

Another popular activity is walking along Lugard and Harlech Roads. This path goes around the Peak and offers fantastic views of the entire Hong Kong Harbour, Kowloon, and other islands like Lantau and Lamma.

Places to Eat

There are several restaurants on Victoria Peak, mostly inside the shopping centers. However, the Peak Lookout Restaurant is in an older, traditional building. It was first built in 1901 as a resting spot for sedan chair carriers. It became a restaurant in 1947.

Official Residences on The Peak

The Peak is also home to several important officials in Hong Kong. Their official residences include:

• 19 Severn Road – home of the Secretary for Justice
• Victoria House and Victoria Flats at 15 Barker Road – home of the Chief Secretary for Administration
• Headquarters House 11 Barker Road – home of the Commander of PLA Forces in Hong Kong
• Chief Justice's House 18 Gough Hill Road – home of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal

Education on The Peak

Victoria Peak is part of Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 11. This area has both government-funded schools and independent schools. The German Swiss International School also has a campus on Victoria Peak.

Nature and Wildlife

The Peak is home to many different kinds of animals. You can often see various species of birds, especially the black kite. There are also many types of butterflies. Sometimes, wild boars and porcupines are spotted on the Peak, along with different kinds of snakes.

Alternative Names for Victoria Peak

Images for kids

• 

  1924 map of The Peak's residences

See also

In Spanish: Cumbre Victoria para niños

• List of places in Hong Kong
• List of mountains, peaks and hills in Hong Kong
• List of places named after Queen Victoria
• The Peak Hotel, a hotel located on Victoria Peak from 1888 to 1936
• Peak District Reservation Ordinance 1904
• Tourism in Hong Kong