Route 9 - Walking Tour at the Peak Flashcards
(8 cards)
Walking Tour Route 9 - Points to mention
7 Bulletpoints - 15 Minutes
- Candidate leads tour group to an appropriate place for pre-walking tour briefing.
- The Peak Galleria
- The Peak Tower
- Peak Tram
- Lions Pavilion
- Reminder of time and place of gathering, location of toilets and dining facilities
- Candidate leads the tour group return to the coach and count the number of group members. Then inform the examiner the walking tour is completed.
What to include in the walking tour briefing (4)
4 Bulletpoints- Candidate leads the tour group to an appropriate place for the pre-walking tour briefing.
The Pre-Walking Tour Briefing includes
* Before we begin our walking tour, here’s a quick briefing to help you make the most of your time at The Peak.
* We’ll be staying here for approximately 20 minutes. Please make sure to gather back at the meeting point: just outside, next to the Peak Tram model.
* Restrooms are located inside The Peak Galeria near the main entrance.
* If you’re looking for a bite to eat, there are several dining facilities available inside the building, including both local and international options, ranging from casual cafés to full-service restaurants with panoramic views.
Peak Galleria
1. Introduction (2)
2. History: (2)
3. Observation Deck
4. Shopping Mall
1:40
1. Introduction: (2)
* Let’s take a moment to appreciate our surroundings.
* The building behind me is the Peak Galleria, a unique three-story shopping arcade known for its modernist all-glass curtain wall.
2. History: (2)
* The Peak Galleria is built on the site of the former Peak Hotel, which operated from 1873 to 1938.
* It was originally completed in 1993 and later renovated in 2019 to enhance its facilities and design.
3. Observation Deck:
* The observation deck on the rooftop is free to access, and it features telescopes that provide a closer look at the stunning views of Victoria Harbour.
* From this vantage point, you can truly appreciate the incredible transformation that The Peak has undergone in recent years.
4. Shopping Mall:
The Peak Galleria is more than just a shopping mall. After its renovation, it now provides a one-stop experience for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
* The world’s first “Monopoly Dreams” themed attraction is located on the 3rd floor.
* GoMuseum, found on the 2nd floor, offers immersive exhibitions.
* Candylicious, Singapore’s first candy store in Hong Kong, is located on the ground floor.
* In addition to these, the Galleria features a wide variety of local brands, making it a great spot to pick up unique souvenirs during your free time.
Peak Tower
1. Overview (3)
2. Attractions & Facilities: (3)
1:40 minutes
1. Overview: (3)
* Behind you stands the iconic Peak Tower, a bowl-shaped structure completed in May 1997.
* At the top, you’ll find Sky Terrace 428, an excellent location for panoramic views of the harbour. It is Hong Kong’s highest 360-degree observation deck.
* Standing at 428 meters above sea level, it offers a bird’s-eye view of Victoria Harbour, both day and night.
2. Attractions & Facilities: (3)
* Inside Peak Tower, you’ll also find Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, which displays over a hundred wax figures of international and local celebrities for photo opportunities. Be sure to check out figures of famous personalities like Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, and Mahatma Gandhi.
* There are a variety of shopping and dining options, offering a mix of international brands and local cuisine.
* The Peak Tram Terminus, located inside the tower, serves as the upper station for the historic Peak Tram, providing convenient access for visitors.
Peak Tram
1. Overview (3)
2. Route (5)
3. Prior to Peak Tram (4)
4. Visitor Tips (2)
5. Wrap-up
2 minutes
Speaking of the Peak Tram….
1. Overview: (3)
* The Peak Tram connects Central to Victoria Peak in just about 5 minutes.
* Opened in 1888, it is one of the oldest and most famous ways to ascend the mountain.
* Running from Garden Road Admiralty to Victoria Peak via the Mid-Levels, it provides the most direct route and offers good views over the harbour and skyscrapers of Hong Kong.
2. Route: (5)
* The tram covers a distance of about 1.4 kilometres and an elevation of just under 400 metres.
* Its maximum gradient is 48%, offering a steep and thrilling ride.
* There are six stations along the route.
* The sixth-generation Peak Tram, with its vintage dark green exterior, carries up to 210 passengers.
3. Prior to Peak Tram: (4)
* Before the tram was introduced, sedan chairs were used to carry people up the winding mountain path—a journey that could take hours and cost 3 silver dollars, equivalent to a worker’s entire monthly salary.
* Later, a clever Scotsman proposed building a tram to facilitate residents’ access to The Peak.
* In 1882, the plan was approved by the government, establishing the Hong Kong High Level Tramways Company.
* It evolved from initial coal-powered wooden carriages carrying 40 people to the sixth generation in 2022, which carries 210 passengers.
4. Visitor Tips: (2)
* Sit on the right side when ascending for the best views.
* Be prepared for queues during peak hours; consider visiting during off-peak times.
5. Wrap-up:
* The Peak Tram remains a must-experience attraction, offering a blend of historical charm and panoramic vistas of Hong Kong.
Lions Pavillion - Points to mention
5 minutes - Findley Road with walking: 10 minutes
Now, let’s head to the Lions Pavilion—just a short walk from Peak Tower. This spot, funded by the Hong Kong Lions Club, is an iconic location for photos of Victoria Harbour.
1. Introduction:
- From here, you can see the whole of Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and some of the 263 outlying islands.
- Hong Kong covers 1,114 square kilometers in land area, and including the surrounding waters, it totals around 2,755 square kilometers.
From this viewpoint, let’s look at some of the most iconic buildings in the city:
2. Landmarks on Hong Kong Island:
- International Finance Centre (IFC) Tower 2 is located in Central. It is 420 meters tall, completed in 2003, and houses the offices of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on its upper floors. It is one of the most important business hubs in Hong Kong.
- HSBC Main Building was designed by British architect Norman Foster and opened in 1986. With 52 floors, it is known for its exterior support structure, which maximizes internal space. It is also home to one of Hong Kong’s three note-issuing banks.
- Bank of China Tower, designed by American-Chinese architect I.M. Pei, and built in 1988, stands at 368 meters tall. Its bold design symbolizes strength, vitality, and growth, inspired by the structure of bamboo.
3. Landmarks on the Kowloon Side:
- Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, located on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport, opened in 2013. Designed by Foster + Partners, it accommodates two large cruise ships and features a rooftop park with panoramic views.
- You can also spot the historic Peninsula Hotel, which opened in 1928. Known for its luxury and architectural elegance, it remains one of the world’s most renowned hotels, even maintaining a fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Phantoms for VIP transport.
- Avenue of Stars, in front of and next to the Peninsula, is a tribute to Hong Kong’s film industry. Redesigned in 2019, it features handprints of famous stars such as Bruce Lee and Anita Mui, and visitors can take interactive AR photos with their favorites.
- Further to the left is the Hong Kong Space Museum, recognizable by its iconic egg-shaped architecture. It includes a planetarium and exhibits on astronomy and space science.
- The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is known for its distinctive slide-shaped design and hosts major performances, including the annual Hong Kong Film Awards.
- Further left across the harbour, you’ll see the Xiqu Centre—a striking modern venue dedicated to Chinese opera. It is part of the West Kowloon Cultural District, which spans 40 hectares and is Hong Kong’s largest arts development.
- Next to the Xiqu Centre, on the left, is the West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station. This sleek, green-roofed underground station connects Hong Kong to mainland China’s high-speed rail network, offering direct routes to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and other major cities.
- Further to the left and in front is the M+ Museum—Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, showcasing art, design, architecture, and moving images from Hong Kong, China, and beyond.
- Behind the M+ stands the International Commerce Centre (ICC), at 484 meters, Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper, housing luxury offices, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and the Sky100 observation deck.
- The furthest visible to the left is the Hong Kong Palace Museum, inspired by Beijing’s Forbidden City. It displays over 900 treasures on loan from the Palace Museum, many of which are shown in Hong Kong for the first time.
What to include in Reminder:
Head the group back to the meeting point next to the Peak Tram model.
- We will meet at this point, at Peak Galleria exit in 10 minutes.
- The location of restrooms is inside the Peak Galleria.
- You can find restaurants, coffee shops, convenience and souvenir stores inside the shopping mall.
- “Please make sure you have my contact number xxxx xxxx and our bus number TB 5477”, and please try to be back in time to not disturb our schedule.
Return to Coach
3 bulletpoints
- Candidate leads the tour group return to the coach and
- Counts the number of group members.
- Then inform the examiner the walking tour is completed.
