Route 8 - Peak Road (Gough Hill Path Children's Playground)－The Peak (Peak Galleria Car Park) Flashcards
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
- 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)
Note: Point out the Peak location when entering the car park
**1. Welcome to Victoria Peak – Where History Meets Luxury (4):
**
* Ladies and gentlemen, 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 without question, with some seven million visitors every year, one of the city’s most iconic destinations.
* Its dramatic elevation offers sweeping views of Central and Victoria Harbour, and the South China Sea with its surrounding islands.
* But The Peak is more than just a breathtaking viewpoint… it’s a place steeped in legend, luxury, and legacy.
2. The Many Names of The Peak: (5)
* Over the centuries, The Peak has gone by several names, each tied to a fascinating story.
* In official records of Xin’an County, it was once called Incense Peak. Legend says that 400 years ago, a red incense burner floated ashore near what is now Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay. Locals believed it was a divine sign and named the mountain after it
* Another tale dates back to the Qing Dynasty, when the notorious pirate Cheung Po Tsai allegedly used the Peak as a lookout point. Spotting incoming ships, his men would raise flags to signal others to prepare for attack—earning the mountain its nickname, “Flag-Raising Mountain.”
* Later, when piracy faded, it became known as Tai Ping Shan, or Peace Mountain, symbolizing calm under heaven.
* When the British arrived in 1841, the Peak was officially renamed Victoria Peak, in honor of Queen Victoria. Since then, it has become a symbol of both colonial heritage and modern opulence.
3. Historical Background: (5)
* In 1860, Sir Hercules Robinson, the 5th Gouvernor, had a path cut wide enough for sedan chairs starting at what is now Robinson Road, just above the Botanical Gardens, on to the top of Victoria Peak. At the time, the hillside was bare rock.
* The cool, foggy air up here reminded early colonial officials of the English countryside—especially Sir Richard MacDonnell, Hong Kong’s 8th Governor. In 1868, he built a summer villa to escape the city’s heat.
* That kicked off a new trend: spending summers on the Peak became a hallmark of prestige for British elites. By the 1880s , there were already 55 houses on the peak.
* Once the Peak Tram opened in 1888, the Peak stopped being only a place for a summer home, it was now easy to live there year-round.
* Two hotels opened - the Peak Hotel and the Mount Austin Hotel.
4. Chinese Residency on the Peak: (5)
* However, under colonial rule, all Chinese people were restricted from living on the Peak by the Peak District Reservation Ordinance from 1904 until 1947.
* Change came with Sir Robert Ho Tung, a trailblazing Eurasian businessman. He broke that racial barrier and became the first non-European permitted to reside here, a move that symbolized the rising status of Hong Kong’s Chinese elite.
* His estate, Ho Tung Gardens, built in 1927, was a majestic blend of Chinese and Western architecture—an example of the Chinese Renaissance style. It stood just beyond the archway we passed. Though most of the original garden was demolished in 2018, its legacy still speaks to Hong Kong’s evolving identity.
* Since the late 1900s, the Peak has become the residence of choice for many wealthy and powerful figures in the city.
5. Property Prices: Where Luxury Has a View: (6)
* Today, The Peak is one of the most expensive residential areas in the world.
* It’s home to around 1,400 luxurious units, including exclusive developments like Red Rose Mansion, Twelve Peaks, Mountain Lodge, La Hacienda, and more.
* But today it’s not just about colonial villas—it’s about world-class luxury.
* In 2024, a home on Plantation Road sold for HK$11 billion, or ~HK$65,000 per square foot.
* While prices have dipped slightly from their highs of over HK$100,000 per square foot, they still 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 irresistible to the rich and famous? Sure, the views are stunning, but feng shui plays a huge role too. With mountains at the back and sea views in front, The Peak offers the perfect balance of energy, protection, and prosperity—according to ancient Chinese wisdom.
* So, it’s no surprise that many celebrities and tycoons choose to live here, including (5):
* Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, who bought a mansion on Barker Road for ~HK$1.5 billion
* Lee Shau Kee, Chairman of Henderson Land
* Chow Yun-fat, legendary Hong Kong actor
* Rosina Lam, TVB actress
* U.S. Consul General, who has an official residence here.
Government officials (3), including:
* The Chief Secretary for Administration (Victoria House, Barker Rd)
* The Secretary for Justice (Severn Road)
* The Chief Justice (Gough Hill Road)
7. Wrapping Up: Where Past Meets Peak Luxury: (2)
* So, whether you’re here for the historical intrigue, the million-dollar views, or the chance to spot a celebrity jogging by, The Peak remains one of Hong Kong’s most captivating destinations.
* It tells a story of pirates and governors, of East and West, of old money and new ambitions—all wrapped in mist and overlooking one of the most dazzling skylines in the world.
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)
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 we will stay there for 15 minutes, before heading back to the bus.
3. Instructions of walking tour: (4)
* Please remember my phone number first: XXXX XXXX, and our vehicle number TB 5477.
* Please make sure you have all your valuables ready before getting off.
* When we get off, please stay together and follow me.
* I will introduce you to the pick-up location, restroom facilities, and Hong Kong landmarks before giving you free time.
