Route 8 - Peak Road (Gough Hill Path Children's Playground)－The Peak (Peak Galleria Car Park) Flashcards
(4 cards)
Route 8 - Peak Road (Gough Hill Path Children’s Playground)－The Peak (Peak Galleria Car Park)
(this section ends at Peak Galleria)
3 Bullet points - 4-7 minutes
- The Peak
- Peak Galleria (point out)
- Information on Walking Tour
The Peak
1. Welcome to Victoria Peak – Where History Meets Luxury (4)
2. The Many Names of The Peak: (5)
3. Historical Background: (5)
4. Chinese Residency on the Peak: (5)
5. Property Prices: Where Luxury Has a View: (6)
6. Celebrity Homes and Feng Shui Gold: (10)
7. Wrapping Up: Where Past Meets Peak Luxury: (2)
6:40 minutes - Note: Point out the Peak location when entering the car park
1. Welcome to Victoria Peak – Where History Meets Luxury: (4)
* As we are driving along Old Peak road, welcome to Victoria Peak, or simply The Peak, as locals affectionately call it.
* At 552 meters above sea level, this is the highest point on Hong Kong Island, and with around seven million visitors every year, it is undeniably one of the city’s most iconic destinations.
* Its dramatic elevation offers 360° views of Central and Victoria Harbour, the South China Sea, and its surrounding islands.
* But The Peak is more than just a breathtaking viewpoint—it is a place steeped in legend, luxury, and legacy.
2. The Many Names of The Peak: (5)
* Over the centuries, The Peak has had several names, each associated with a fascinating story.
* In official records of Xin’an County, it was once called Incense Peak. Legend tells of a red incense burner that floated ashore near Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay. Locals took this as a divine sign, and the mountain was named accordingly.
* Another tale from the Qing Dynasty tells how the pirate Cheung Po Tsai used The Peak as a lookout point. His men would raise flags to signal approaching ships, earning the mountain the name “Flag-Raising Mountain”.
* As piracy waned, it was renamed Tai Ping Shan, or Peace Mountain, representing tranquility under heaven.
* When the British arrived in 1841, the mountain was officially renamed Victoria Peak in honor of Queen Victoria, cementing its legacy as a symbol of colonial heritage and modern opulence.
3. Historical Background: (5)
* In 1860, Sir Hercules Robinson, the 5th Governor of Hong Kong, had a path cut wide enough for sedan chairs from Robinson Road up to the top of The Peak. At that time, the hillside was still bare rock.
* The cool and foggy air reminded colonial officials of the English countryside—particularly Sir Richard MacDonnell, the 8th Governor, who built a summer villa here in 1868 to escape the heat.
* This sparked a trend among British elites, who began spending summers at The Peak. By the 1880s, there were already 55 houses on the hill.
* With the opening of the Peak Tram in 1888, the area became accessible year-round, turning it into a permanent residence for many.
* Two notable hotels opened: the Peak Hotel and the Mount Austin Hotel.
4. Chinese Residency on the Peak: (5)
* During colonial times, Chinese residents were restricted from living on The Peak under the Peak District Reservation Ordinance from 1904 to 1947.
* This changed when Sir Robert Ho Tung, a trailblazing Eurasian businessman, became the first non-European allowed to reside there, symbolizing the emergence of Hong Kong’s Chinese elite.
* His estate, Ho Tung Gardens, built in 1927, was a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, known as Chinese Renaissance. Though mostly demolished in 2018, its legacy endures.
* Since the late 1900s, The Peak has become home to many of Hong Kong’s wealthiest and most powerful residents.
5. Property Prices – Where Luxury Has a View: (6)
* Today, The Peak ranks among the most expensive residential areas in the world.
* It features around 1,400 luxurious units, including Red Rose Mansion, Twelve Peaks, Mountain Lodge, and La Hacienda.
* While colonial villas remain, modern luxury developments dominate the area.
* In 2024, a home on Plantation Road sold for HK$11 billion, averaging HK$65,000 per square foot.
* Though prices have dipped from highs of over HK$100,000 per square foot, they remain among the highest in Asia.
* A typical 1,500 sq. ft. home here still costs HK$50 million or more.
6. Celebrity Homes and Feng Shui Gold: (10)
* Why is The Peak so attractive to celebrities and tycoons? Besides the breathtaking views, its exceptional feng shui plays a huge role.
* With mountains behind and sea views in front, The Peak is said to offer the perfect balance of energy, protection, and prosperity.
* Notable residents include:
* Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, who purchased a mansion on Barker Road for around HK$1.5 billion.
* Lee Shau Kee, Chairman of Henderson Land.
* Chow Yun-fat, legendary Hong Kong actor.
* Rosina Lam, TVB actress.
* The U.S. Consul General, who maintains an official residence here.
* Senior government officials also live on The Peak:
* The Chief Secretary for Administration (Victoria House, Barker Road).
* The Secretary for Justice (Severn Road).
* The Chief Justice (Gough Hill Road).
7. Wrapping Up – Where Past Meets Peak Luxury: (2)
* Whether you come for the historical charm, the billion-dollar views, or the chance to spot a celebrity jogging, The Peak remains one of Hong Kong’s most iconic destinations.
* It is a place where pirates and governors, tradition and luxury, and East and West converge—all enveloped in mist, gazing over one of the world’s most stunning skylines.
Pointing out the Peak Galleria
We are entering now the carpark. The Peak Galleria is located on top of this carpark.
Information on Walking Tour
1. Tour Route
2. Duration
3. Instructions of Walking Tour (4)
1 minute
After talking so much about The Peak’s information, I know everyone wants to experience The Peak’s atmosphere.
1. Tour Route: We will get off the bus soon to walk around to the Lion Pavillon, a great lookout.
2. Duration: It is now …, and the tour takes around 15 minutes. I will introduce you to the meeting point, restroom facilities, and Hong Kong landmarks before giving you some free time.
3. Instructions of walking tour: (4)
* Please remember my phone number first: XXXX XXXX, and our vehicle number TB 5477.
* Please make sure you take ave all your valuables with you before getting off the bus.
* When we get off, please stay together and follow me.
