Introduction
Victoria Peak, also known as Mount Austin, is Hong Kong’s most popular attraction, where tourists love to go admire the amazing views of Victoria Harbour. The Peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island. It is also a place to call a shopping paradise, accompanied by great restaurants, providing breathtaking views of The Harbour. Perching on The Peak at 396 metres above sea level, The Peak Tower is one of the most stylish architectural icons in Hong Kong. While at The Peak, you can also learn about Hong Kong's culture. But despite the beautiful scenery and amazing malls, there is a great history behind it.
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History
Victoria Peak
The Victoria Peak is popular for it’s stunning views and the shopping facilities, however, 200 years ago, there was a pirate, named Cheung Po Sai. He used the peak as a lookout point where he could signal his men when an unknown ship arrives at the harbour. Peace regained after 1810, when the pirate was chosen to be captain of Ching Government’s imperial navy.
There weren’t as many people living at the Peak, until 1876. The Peak became a popular place, as a resort.More people moved in during the next 20 years to make their own police station, school and chapel. Peak Tram |
The first Peak Tram was made on May 30, 1888. It was the first cable funicular in Asia, extending 1,350 meters and connecting five intermediate stations. At that time, the Peak Tram was operated on coal-fired steam boilers, it was able to serve 150,000 in its first year.
In 1926, the coal-fired steam boilers were replaced by the electric powered system. However, during the Japanese occupation of Kowloon, the tram’s engine was damaged in an attack, but was fortunately fixed and the tram service resumed on Christmas Day, 1945. Soon, Hollywood came knocking, and the Peak Tram was featured in the 1950’s movie, “Soldiers of Fortune”, and was also included in an episode of the “Love Boat”. In 1959, a 72 seat, lightweight all-metal tramcar was introduced in 1959. In 1989, the Peak Tram began in its present form, following a 60 million HKD overhaul to upgrade it. |
Hiking Trail
The hiking trail starts at the Peak Gallery and ends at the same place. The hike will take about 1-2 hours. During the hike, you will see many different species such as, spiders and wild boars. While you are hiking, you will be able to see the stunning views of Victoria Harbour, interesting plants and many spider webs.
Animals and Plants
Bamboo |
Elephant Ears |
Bamboo is a type of flowering plant that belongs in the family of grass. There are around 1500 species of bamboo around the world. You will see bamboo on the sides of the hiking trail. The largest bamboo species can grow up to 1300 feet in height! If you see a flower growing on a bamboo, take a picture of it! It is rare to see flowers growing on bamboo. You can eat bamboo, but you have to properly cook it as it holds a toxin called ‘taxiphyllin’. Also, bamboo can be used on wounds to heal faster.
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Elephant Ears aren’t actually made from elephant ears, people call it that because these big leaves look like elephant ears. These plants have been cultivated for thousands of years near the equator, but no one knows for sure where they originated, it has been a mystery as scientists haven’t properly researched it. People who used elephant ears as crop food knew that what makes this plant valuable is the fact that the entire plant is edible when properly cooked. You have to cook it properly as some Elephant Ear plants are poisonous, on that note keep kids or pets away from these plants as soon as possible.
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Coral Trees |
Pigeons |
Coral trees will appear a lot on the hiking trail. There are are really beautiful when the sun is out as the sunlight reflects on the red flaming blossoms. If you are lucky, you might see hummingbirds pollinate the Erythrina (The red flowers on the coral tree). These trees leaves can be made into really tasty tea and use the seeds in the flowers as jewelry. Did you also know that Erythina can cure diseases? It has been known to cure malaria, jaundice, infections, wounds and body pain (chest pain, back pain, abdominal pain etc).
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Pigeons are incredibly complex and intelligent animals. They are one of only a small number of species to pass the ‘mirror test’ – a test of self recognition. Did you know that pigeons can recognize each letter in the human alphabet. They use the sun as an internal ‘magnetic compass’. You will usually find pigeons in a flock of 20-30. If you see a solo pigeon, that means they are finding food for their baby chicks. Both male and female pigeons feed their younglings with ‘pigeon milk’ (which both sexes produce), insects, bread and seeds. Pigeons are actually very clean animals and there is very little evidence to suggest that they are significant transmitters of disease, you probably don’t have to worry about getting the bird flu!
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Black Kites |
Flies |
Black Kites can be found in Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia - but not in North and South America. Black Kites eat almost anything! Lizards, birds, small mammals and insects. In winter, they form huge flocks. In a forest fire, Black Kites tend to stay in that area as animals or insects try to escape, it helps the Black Kites to catch their prey. On the trail, you can spot Black Kites circling around in the sky, if you're lucky, you could take a picture of them on the ground as they spend most of their time flying. Just make sure that you don’t have any food in your hand as they will try to snatch it.
Wild BoarsWild Boars are close relatives to domestic boars.There are four subspecies of wild boar that are similar in size and appearance, but differ in color (which depends on the type of habitat). Native populations of wild boars can be found in Africa, Europe and Asia (Japan, Indonesia, India and the Far East). Wild boars can survive in different types of habitat: grasslands, taiga, tropical rainforests, but they prefer life in deciduous forests. Wild boars are threatened by habitat loss and by commercial hunt. Luckily, wild populations are still stable and they are not listed as endangered species.
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You will also find a lot of flies on plants, poles and maybe some fresh dog droppings. You might not think that flies are interesting but maybe some of these facts will probably change your mind about them. Flies don’t have teeth. Instead, they have a long tongue called a proboscis, which sucks up food like a straw. When they eat, flies project vomit onto the food that they are about to eat. Then they suck up the mushy food as the vomit acid breaks it down. So don’t eat your food after a fly has been on it, because there are germs from the vomit! Flies also spread diseases. During the Spanish-American war, around 5000 soldiers died typhoid, one of the diseases spread by flies. Did you also know that flies carry more than two million types of bacteria? Gross!!!!
Butterfly LizardsButterfly Lizards are a small group of distinctive lizards comprising around eight species. The Common Butterfly Lizard is characterised by its greenish-grey colour, patterned with yellowish spots and its handsome black and orange markings along the flank. Juveniles are striped and have a reddish tail. They can be found basking in the sun along sandy, forest trails, and can be locally common on golf courses. If alarmed they will quickly return to their burrows and at night these may be sealed with sand, probably as a defensive measure against nocturnal snakes.
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Bamboo Pit VipersBamboo Pit Vipers can be seen on this trail, but rarely. If you hike at night, you probably might be able to catch sight of one, because Bamboo Pit Vipers are nocturnal. Interesting fact, the Bamboo pit viper's fangs are a hollow tube hooked up to venom producing sacks behind the snakes eyes. Bamboo pit viper fangs are so long that they fold up to the roof of the viper's mouth so they won't bite themselves. Did you also know that if snakes loose a fang, it can grow back? Amazing!
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How to Get There
Bus
Route No. 15(First Bus) Normal
Central Pier 5 to The Peak Daily : 10:15 am to 12:15 am(from Man Kwong Street outside Central(Pier 5)) Daily : 9:10 am to 1:00 am(from The Peak) Frequency : 7 to 15 minutes Fare : HK$ 9.80 Route No. 15B(First Bus) Wanchai Convention Centre to The Peak Operation Hours: 12:00am - 7:00pm (from Wan Chai Convention Centre) 12:40 am - 7:40pm (from The Peak) (Available on Sundays & Public Holidays only) Frequency : 20 minutes Fare : HK$11.70 |
Route No. 15B(First Bus)
Wanchai Convention Centre to The Peak Operation Hours: 12:00am - 7:00pm (from Wan Chai Convention Centre) 12:40 am - 7:40pm (from The Peak) (Available on Sundays & Public Holidays only) Frequency : 20 minutes Fare : HK$11.70 |
Mini Bus |
Tram |
Minibus No. 1
Central(Two IFC) to The Peak Daily : 6:30am - 12:00am (from Central) Daily : 7:10am - 12:25 am (from The Peak) Frequency : 10-12 minutes Fare : HK$9.20 |
Time: 57 mins
Directions: Walking: head east on Queen’s Road Central toward Battery Path Slight right onto Garden Road Turn left Turn right Your destination will be on your right Tram: Peak Tram lower terminus Garden Road Central Peak Tower |
Walking |
Private Cars |
Time: 1hr 10mins
Directions: Head west on Queen’s Road toward Ice House St(120m) Turn left onto Duddell St-take the stairs (180m) Turn right onto Albert Path- take the stairs (170m) Turn left towards Albany Road (21m) Turn left onto Albany Road (350m) Slight left onto Old Peak Road (500m) Slight right to stay on Old Peak Road-take the stairs (290m) Turn right onto Mount Austin Road (230m) Turn right to stay on Mount Austin Road (500m) Turn left to stay on Mount Austin Road-destination on your right (300m) |
Private cars are not allowed on The Peak.
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What to Bring
In case of an accident happening or occurring when you are hiking, these are some of the things that you need to bring.
- You should bring a first aid kit, which can be used when someone has an accident.
- Bring at least 2 1L bottles of water, and you should bring some snacks, in case you are hungry.
- Also bring your phone, fully charged, so that when you are lost, you can find your own way out.
- If necessary, bring a fan, it can sometimes cool you down.
- And most important, wear trainers, not high heels, or leather shoes. Trainers help us to walk more easily when we are hiking, and they are sport shoes.
- A backpack could be used to put all of your things into it.
Hiking and Nature Games Activities
Identification Game
Find leaves or flowers that are in nature and collects them while you are hiking. Later, we must try to identify each species by saying the actual name of that leaf or flower. If you can not identify that flower or leaf in 3 seconds you will be eliminated from the game. The person who identifies the most wins.
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Nature Skipper
Smelling Is The Point!
While you are hiking, you can only collect flowers and nothing else. (without letting them seeing what flowers you pick, of course!) Each person has to identify the smell of each flower with a cloth bandage over their own eyes. They can only have 1 hint or clue each time. If they cannot identify the smell of flower in under 20 seconds, they will be eliminated. The person that can guess the most wins.
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Risks and Hazards
Hazards |
Risks |
Control Measure |
Emergency Action Plan |
Flash Floods |
Could be carried away by the flood |
Avoid going near flashing floods |
Grab on something |
Rocks And Pebbles |
Could trip over |
Watch where you are going, Wear safe footwear |
Put a bandage on the wound |
Steep Slopes |
Could fall down |
Stay in single file, Walk to the side where it is not that steep |
Avoid it or take another path |
Falling Rocks |
Could be struck on the head |
Walk to the side, where there are no mountains looming over you |
Call the emergency phone |
Face To Face With Ferocious Animals |
Could get hurt, or eaten |
Walk in some open spaced path |
Run as fast as you can, try to lose the animal |