Victoria Peak, located on the western part of Hong Kong Island, is one of the most popular tourist “must-see” destinations on any Hong Kong itinerary. Until the late 1800’s, residents of Victoria Peak were mainly wealthy Europeans who ascended the peak on sedan chairs carried uphill. Happily, the Victoria Peak Tram funicular finished construction in 1888, significantly opening up access to the hilly area and spurring the region’s residential and commercial growth.

How To Get To Victoria Peak

While visitors can ascend Victoria Peak a number of ways including the Peak Tram, public bus, private taxi, and even a scenic hike for the athletically enthused — the Peak Tram is both a local landmark and very convenient. I recommend riding the Peak Tram on your way up to Victoria Peak and trying out a different form of transportation on the way down.

Victoria Peak Tram

The Peak Tram is a scenic and historic mode of transporting residents and tourists between Hong Kong Island’s Central district and Victoria Peak, a distance of 1.4 kilometers (0.87 miles) and an elevation of nearly 396 meters (1300 feet). The Peak Tram Lower Terminus in Central is located at 33 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. At the time of its inauguration in 1888, the Peak Tram was Hong Kong’s first form of motorized public land transportation and the first cable railway system in Asia!

As of mid-2025, the cost of a Peak Tram ticket is HK$76 one-way or HK$108 round trip. There are also several combination ticket options that grant access to attractions like the Sky Terrace 428, a panoramic scenic viewing platform. The tram itself is a pleasantly modern, air-conditioned, and updated experience. In fact, the current Peak Tram is the newest of 6 generations of trams with windows on the sides and roof to take in the views of the city during the ride.

Pro tip: Choose a seat on the right side of the tram going up and left side going down for views of the city.

Victoria Peak: What To Do

The Peak is quite touristy but quite fun. I enjoyed it a surprising amount. The tram leaves you at the bottom of Peak Tower, a shopping complex I expected to be disappointed by due to its target demographic but we actually spent an extended time exploring inside! We first enjoyed a Hong Kong style milk tea and a tea-based ale, both locally brewed.

Afterward, we poked around the different levels of the Peak Tower and stumbled upon an amazing exhibit by the Joyful Miniature Association showcasing traditional street and shop scenes of old school Hong Kong. The scenes were unbelievably intricate and nostalgic, and I loved staring at them and visually digesting the little details. My favorite was the cha chaan teng scene with the classic scuffed up green and white tiled floor, bookend style seating booths, tear off calendar, and even a working miniature TV. Other depictions included a wet fish market, roast meats restaurant, fruit and veggie markets, and a super traditional dim sum restaurant with an older style of food cart you can’t find anywhere anymore. The historical nods and attention to detail were crazy.

Moving upstairs within Peak Tower, you’ll find a selfie station. This also screams “tourist” but we humored ourselves and it was so fun! You can sit on a moped with a street scene backdrop, serve up some herbal tea, get a haircut, and relax in a Hong Kong Style cafe.

How To Get Back Down Victoria Peak: Try A Public Light Bus

You have many options for descending the peak. Of course the Peak Tram can bring you down the hill, but other public transport options that save money and offer a deeper understanding of the local experience include the public buses and public light buses. The #15 bus (a full size bus) and the #1 light bus (the smaller green and cream buses that operate on more local routes). We wanted to navigate to the Central MTR station, so opted for the #1 light bus. Keep in mind that you might need to wait in line as each light bus only accommodates 16 people at a time, but the bus comes every 10 minutes. Tap your Octopus Card and go!