Victoria Peak

Infobox Mountain
Name = Victoria Peak
Photo = Hong Kong Skyline Restitch - Dec 2007.jpg
Photo size = 400px
Caption = A panoramic view of Hong Kong, Kowloon and Victoria Harbour from Victoria Peak at night
Elevation = convert|552|m|ft|abbr=on
Location = Flag|Hong Kong
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latd= 22|latm= 16|lats= 31.69|latNS=N
longd= 114|longm= 8|longs= 37.78|longEW=E
Coordinates =coor dms|22|16|31.69|N|114|8|37.78|E|type:landmark
Topographic

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Victoria Peak (zh-t|t=太平山, or previously- 扯旗山) is a mountain in Hong Kong. It is also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak. The mountain is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island. With an altitude of convert|552|m|ft|abbr=on, it is the highest mountain on the island proper, but not in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, an honour which belongs to Tai Mo Shan. Because of its view, history and spectacular location, Victoria Peak is strongly attached to an air of prestige.

The actual summit of Victoria Peak is occupied by a radio telecommunications facility and is closed to the public. However, the surrounding area of public parks and high-value residential land is the area that is normally meant by the name "The Peak". It is a major tourist attraction which offers spectacular views over central Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour, and the surrounding islands.

History

As early as 19th century, the Peak attracted non-native, prominent residents because of its panoramic view over the colony and its temperate climate compared to the sub-tropical climate in the rest of Hong Kong. The sixth Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Richard MacDonnell had a summer residence built on the Peak circa 1868. cite web | url = http://www.thepeak.com.hk/full/en/history.php | title = The Peak History | publisher = The Peak | accessdate = 14 March | accessyear = 2007]

These original residents reached their homes by sedan chairs, which were carried up and down the steep slope of Victoria Peak. This limited development of the Peak until the opening of the Peak Tram, a funicular railway, in 1888.History | publisher = The Peak | accessdate = 14 March | accessyear = 2007] cite web | url = http://www.thepeak.com.hk/full/en/history_peak_tram.php | title = Peak Tram History | publisher = The Peak Hong Kong | accessdate = 13 March | accessyear = 2007]

The boost to accessibility caused by the opening of the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the Peak. Between 1904 and 1930, the Peak Reservation Ordinance designated the Peak as an exclusive residential area reserved for Europeans and government officials. They also reserved the Peak Tram for the use of such passengers during peak periods. The Peak remains an upmarket residential area, although residency today is based on wealth.

Tourism

With some seven million visitors every year, the Peak is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. It offers spectacular views of the city and its harbours. The number of visitors led to the construction of two major leisure and shopping centres, the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria, situated adjacent to each other.

The Peak Tower incorporates the upper station of the Peak Tram, the funicular railway that brings passengers up from Hong Kong's Central district, whilst the Peak Galleria incorporates the bus station used by the Hong Kongpublic buses and green minibuses on the Peak. The Peak is also accessible by taxi and private car via the circuitous Peak Road, or by walking up the steep Old Peak Road from near the Zoological Botanical Gardens.

Victoria Peak Garden is located on the site of Mountain Lodge, the Governor's old summer residence, and is the closest publicly accessible point to the summit. It can be reached from Victoria Gap by walking up Mount Austin Road, a climb of about convert|150|m|ft|. Another popular walk is the level loop along Lugard Road, giving good views of Hong Kong's Central district and Kowloon, and then returning via Harlech Road, encircling the summit at the level of the Peak Tower. [http://www.thepeak.com.hk/full/en/nature.php] There are several restaurants on Victoria Peak, most of which are located in the two shopping centres. However, the Peak Lookout Restaurant, is housed in an older and more traditional building which was originally a spacious house for engineers working on the Peak Tramway. It was rebuilt in 1901 as a stop area for sedan chairs, but was re-opened as a restaurant in 1947.

Natural history

The Peak is home to many species of birds, most prominently the Black Kite, and to numerous species of butterflies.

Alternative names

ee also

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

References

External links

* [http://www.thepeak.com.hk/ The Peak Hong Kong Official site]
* [http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/050922/features/html/050922en06001.htm The Peak to undergo facelift] [http://www.news.gov.hk/tc/category/infrastructureandlogistics/050922/features/html/050922tc06002.htm (Chinese)]
* [http://www.thepeaklookout.com.hk/ Peak Lookout Restaurant]
* [http://www.12hk.com/area/VictoriaPeak/VictoriaPeak.shtml More photos of Victoria Peak]
* [http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attraction/at_most_peak.jhtml Photos of Victoria Peak at official Hong Kong tourism website]
* [http://www.aroundtheplanet.org/?p=24#more-24/ The Peak and the Hikers' Trail]