Route 9 - Walking Tour at the Peak Flashcards
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 Bulletpoints
The briefing includes
* the length of stay: approx. 15 minutes
* place of gathering: Outside next to the Peak Tram model
* location of toilets and
* dining facilities:
Peak Galleria
Let’s take a moment to appreciate our surroundings. The building in my back is the Peak Galleria. It is a unique three-story shopping arcade with modernist all-glass curtain wall.
1. History: (2)
* Built on the site of the former Peak Hotel (1873-1938).
* Originally completed in 1993 and
* Renovated in 2019.
2. Observation Deck
* The observation deck on the rooftop is free to access, and it offers telescopes for a closer look at the stunning Victoria Harbour.
* From here, you’ll also be able to see the incredible transformation that the Peak has undergone in recent years.
3. Shopping Mall:
The Peak Galleria is more than just a shopping mall. After renovations, it now offers a one-stop experience for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
* The world’s first “Monopoly Dreams” themed attraction on the 3rd floor.
* GoMuseum on the 2nd floor, featuring immersive exhibitions.
* Candylicious, Singapore’s first candy store in Hong Kong, on the ground floor.
* In addition to these, the Galleria hosts a wide variety of local brands, offering unique souvenirs that you can check out during your free time.
Peak Tower
1. Overview (3)
2. Attractions & Facilities: (3)
Behind you stands the iconic Peak Tower, a bowl-shaped structure completed in May 1997.
1. Overview: (3)
* 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.
* However, for a free alternative, visitors can go to the observation deck at Peak Galleria, which also offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour.
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.
* Shopping and dining options with a mix of international brands and local cuisine.
* Peak Tram Terminus – The upper station for the historic Peak Tram.
Peak Tram
1. Overview (3)
2. Route (5)
3. Prior to Peak Tram (4)
4. Visitor Tips (2)
5. Wrap-up
Speaking of the Peak Tram….
1. Overview: (3)
* The Peak Tram connects Central to Victoria Peak and takes just about 10 minutes for the journey.
* 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%, and …
* There are six stations along the route.
* The sixth-generation Peak Tram, with its vintage dark green exterior, carries up to 210 passengers with a…
* Journey time of approx. 5 minutes.
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 carrying 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.
Lion Pavillion - Points to mention
Findley Road - 10 minutes
Now, let’s head to the Lion’s 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:
* Here, you can see the whole of Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and some of the 263 outlying islands.
* Hong Kong covers 1,114 square kilometers in land area, and with its surrounding waters, and including the water it totals around 2,755 square kilometers.
From here, let’s look at some of the most iconic buildings in the city:
** Landmarks on HK Island**
* International Finance Centre (IFC) Tower 2: Located in Central, the IFC Tower 2 is 420 meters tall and was completed in 2003. It houses the offices of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on its upper floors and is one of the most important business hubs in Hong Kong.
* HSBC Main Building: This building was designed by British architect Norman Foster and opened in 1986. It has 52 floors and is known for its exterior support structure, which maximizes the building’s internal space. It’s also home to one of Hong Kong’s three note-issuing banks.
* Bank of China Tower: Designed by the American-Chinese architect I.M. Pei, the Bank of China Tower stands at 368 meters tall. Its design symbolizes strength, vitality, and growth, inspired by the structure of bamboo.
3. Landmarks on Kowloon side:
* Kai Tak Cruise Terminal: Located on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal opened in 2013. Designed by Foster + Partners, it accommodates two large cruise ships and features a rooftop park with panoramic views.
* We can see the historic Peninsula Hotel, which opened in 1928. Known for its luxury and architectural elegance, it’s still one of the world’s most renowned hotels. The hotel even maintains a fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Phantoms to transport VIPs!
* Avenue of Stars: In front and next to the Peninsula, we have the Avenue of Stars, a tribute to Hong Kong’s film industry. Redesigned in 2019, it features handprints of famous stars like Bruce Lee and Anita Mui, and visitors can take interactive AR photos with their favorites.
* Further to the left you can see the Hong Kong Space Museum. Its iconic egg-shaped architecture, is another landmark. It houses a planetarium and a variety of exhibits on astronomy and space science.
* Hong Kong Cultural Centre: is known for its distinctive slide-shaped design. It hosts major performances, including the annual Hong Kong Film Awards.”
* Further to the left across the harbour, you can see Xiqu Centre, – a striking modern venue dedicated to Chinese opera, which is part of the
* West Kowloon Cultural Districe spanning 40 hectares. It is Hong Kong’s largest arts development.
Next to the Xiqu Center on the left you can see West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station with its sleek, green-roof architecture. This underground station connects Hong Kong to mainland China’s high-speed rail network, and direct routes to cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Futher to the left and in front you can see the M+ Museum – Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, showcasing art, design, architecture, and moving image from Hong Kong, China, and beyond.
Behind is the International Commerce Centre (ICC) – Standing at 484 meters, ICC is Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper, housing luxury offices, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and the Sky100 observation deck.
* The furthest to the left is the Hong Kong Palace Museum – Inspired by Beijing’s Forbidden City, this museum displays over 900 treasures on loan from the Palace Museum, many shown in Hong Kong for the first time.
What to include in Reminder:
- The time and place of gathering: “We will meet at the Shopping Plaza exit in 10 minutes.”
- The Location of restrooms is inside the Peak Galleria.
- Location of shops (souvenirs, coffee, convenience stores) inside the Peak Galleria.
- “Please make sure you have my contact number xxxx xxxx and our bus number TB 5477”
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.
