Hong Kong Part 2: A Gentle Introduction To A New Part of the World (Part 2)

There are literally hundreds of things to see, but you won't be able to fit it all in unless you have a long time to spend visiting. We failed miserably to see everything we wanted to on our seven night stay. Therefore, it's important to pick out the priorities that really are "must sees" during any visit here. Fortunately, there are some very obvious ones that most visitors - and indeed most guidebooks - would agree on.

As much of Hong Kong is exceptionally hilly, it's no surprise to learn that one of those hills offers some superb views over Hong Kong Island and further afield to Kowloon, just on the opposite side of the harbour. Victoria Peak, or "The Peak," as it's more commonly known, is probably the island's biggest tourist attraction. Standing at around 400 meters/1,312 ft. above sea level, it's reached by the Peak Tramway, which has operated since 1888.

Despite its name, it's actually a funicular railway that travels up some pretty impressive gradients during the seven minute ride. Unfortunately, because it dates from more than 100 years ago, it wasn't designed to take the volume of visitors that want to head to The Peak today. Each tram only has two cars and can only take 72 people, which can lead to long waits, particularly in busier months and at weekends.

Having said that, it's definitely worth the wait for the view you get when you reach the top. You can either opt to pay to visit the viewing platform at the top of the new Peak Tower, which we did on our first visit up there -- and it's certainly worth the entrance fee - or you can just choose to wander around, taking in the views from outside or from one of the many restaurants in the Peak Tower.

It's certainly a tourist trap and it's very clear as soon as you arrive that everything here has been designed to make money, with numerous shops and places to eat just waiting to take your hard earned cash from you, but for the view you get, you can almost forgive that. We ended up visiting The Peak twice during our stay, once during the day and once again for a night time view, and both are very different but equally rewarding.