Will Robb Photography

According to my trusty Lonely Planet guide to Hong Kong “On your first clear day in Hong Kong, make tracks for the Peak.” Sound advice, the views from there are absolutely amazing on a good day. I first went there 3 years ago, I got the first tram in the morning and was the only person on it. I stayed at the peak for an hour or so in pouring rain and could barely see the buildings below. One or two people arrived over the time I was there, but it wasn’t really worth their while. This time, the weather was good everyday and it resulted in the peak being absolutely mobbed.

We joined the queue for the Peak tram about 5pm and we waited for a few trams to go and come back before we finally got crushed into one and got to the top about 6pm. It was good timing for the light, but it seemed like every other tourist in Hong Kong, whether they were locals or from abroad, had decided that it would be a good idea to go up and see the “million dollar” view that is Hong Kong on a good day. People get off the tram and crowd into the roof of the Peak Tower or clamber onto the nearby look out posts, as the sun goes down hundreds of people with cameras and tripods clamber for a spot to get a good shot from.

Those with the patience to wait will no doubt get a good shot, but with just a little bit more effort, there are a few spots where you get a much better view of the city below. I think most people don’t walk more than 100m from the tram station. Understandably so, the paths that circle the peak are pretty dark at night, quite unappealing and when you start walking them the view is obstructed by trees and bushes. I think after 5 minutes of this most people give up. I walked about 20 minutes round the path past the right of the Peak Tower and found a spot that was well worth it. The path snaked round the Peak, slowly the perspective of the city below changed, but the view is constantly obstructed, but then when you get to the point where the path will start to curve round the side of the peak that will limit your view completely there is a clear spot of about 20 meters with no obstructions and an absolutely stunning view of the city below that most people never see. Rather than waiting in line for the same view everyone else gets, if people just walked a bit they would get a deserted spot with a much better view, night and day in terms of peace and quiet as well as what you see. Most people won’t do it, that’s human nature. I’m glad, makes travel better for those who will put in that little bit more of effort.