The trip up to Victoria Peak includes a 48 degree steep ride with the 120-year-old Peak Tram, first operated n 1888. For those of who who prefer to walk a little you can do that as well. The way down to Central will take about 30-45 minutes, yet I’d really recommend to go at least one with with the tram just to have experienced it!

The boost to accessibility caused by the opening of the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the Peak.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon during the day.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon at night.

The current Peak Tower is the second on the site. Construction of the first one started in 1960, and it was opened in 1969. The current Peak Tower was the work of the British architect Terry Farrell, and was completed in 1997 and it’s located at an elevation of 396 metres.

The world’s largest permanent light and sound show.

There are many “Must See” sights in Hong Kong. The world’s largest permanent light and sound show is one of them. If you thought Victoria Harbour was a dazzling sight on its own, hang around for “A Symphony of Lights”, the multimedia show which takes place daily at 8.00pm and involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour. Whether you’re up at The Peak, at one of the many rooftop bars (like for example Wooloomooloo rooftop bar), The Avenue of the Stars or the Star Ferry across the harbour, you’ll be impressed by all the lasers, skylights, searchlights, LED effects and sometimes even fireworks.

Hong Kong Skyline view up from the Wooloomooloo rooftop bar in Wan Chai.

The skyline of Hong Kong is one of the most spectacular in the world.

Walking across the over-path towards Hong Kong Central.

The “Symphony of Lights” laser show is one of the major attractions in Hong Kong.

40 building participate in the “Symphony of Lights” laser show in Hong Kong every day at 8.00pm.

How it all started.

The Hong Kong protests (or Umbrella Movement) began in September 2014. Activists protested outside the Hong Kong Government headquarters and occupied several major city intersections. The reason for this was because of China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress decision on the proposed election forms, which states that a committee out of 1.200 people would elect two to three electoral candidates before the general public could vote on them.

The Hong Kong Federation of Students, lead by Joshua Wong started protesting against this decision on 22 September. Their demand: A full democracy; protesters want the right to nominate and directly elect the head of the Hong Kong government.

My Encounter With The Protests.

We arrived in Hong Kong at the end of October, and even though things have calmed down a bit, major streets were still occupied. We got to realize this immediately, since on the way from the airport to the city, the bus had to take a detour due to the fact that Nathan Road up in Monk Kok was occupied by protesters who camped in the middle of the street.

As Monk Kok is one of the best areas to explore (Goldfish street, Bird market, etc.), it didn’t take long to experience it with our own eyes. On the other hand, we were suddenly right in the centre of a huge gathering on Hong Kong Island; Admiralty to be precise. Let the photos below speak for themselves…

A large encampment of Umbrella Movement protesters in Hong Kong’s Admiralty district, home to the city’s main government offices.

The protesters use umbrellas to protect themselves from police pepper spray. The umbrellas became a symbol of the movement and gave it its nickname.

It’s hard to believe for how long the Umbrella Movement protesters have barricaded themselves in the financial district of Hong Kong.

A four character sign saying “In the light of honesty” becomes part of a barricade in Admiralty, Hong Kong.

On the mainland, Mong Kok district is the area where protesters have set up their camps.

Nathan Road in Mong Kok has become home to the protesters of the Umbrella Movement.

The Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong entered a new phase as police took assertive action to clear protests camps in the Mong Kok district.

Protesters of the Umbrella Movement cut off traffic in Mong Kok with rubbish bins.

The camsites of the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong have also become a major tourist attraction…

Some Q & A’s.

Why the umbrellas?

• The protesters use umbrellas to protect themselves from police pepper spray. The umbrellas became a symbol of the movement and gave it its nickname.

Does everyone in Hong Kong support this movement?

• No. Especially the older generation is actively opposed to the protests because they are afraid of antagonizing China.

Why doesn’t China just let Hong Kong have more freedom?

• The Communist Party insists on maintaining political control of Hong Kong. It isn’t about to let the most international city choose its own leader. In case an opponent of the Communist Party gets elected, this person might become an advertisement to the rest of China and the possibility of a democratic change is not on their agenda at all.

What happens next?

• Nobody really knows for sure. But one thing is certain: Hong Kong’s democratic movement has only just started. The Umbrella Movement has morphed into a defining generational moment, and the impact will be felt even stronger in 2027 than in today.

The view from the Peak in Hong Kong.

I started off with the Peak. I walked all the way to the station while pulling my huge bag behind me. I started to realize again, that 35° in Asia is a different kind of heat that 35° in Europe. I was sweating like a pig, and the trip hasn’t even started yet … further I walked to the Central Pier station and took the Star Ferry to the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. Then I explored the area around Nathan Road, like the Goldfish Market and walked all the way up to Prince Edward Street where my bus to Guangzhou was awaiting me.

The sky has no limit.

CTS buses are a great and cheap way to get to China. Four hours and one stiff neck later, the bus turned into the street of the China Hotel, where Ulli welcomed me. By this time, I was up almost 48 hours but I didn’t seem exhausted yet. So we were off to a little shopping trip, with a stop at our favourite noodle soup shop. We found this place during our first visit to Guangzhou back in 2007 and have been coming back ever since then. Definitely the best place in town! The “Grand Finale” of the day was a wonderful head massage at a local hair dresser. What more can you want?

Hong Kong is a big must for every traveller & explorer. We always tend to save it for last because it’s a good way of getting “back to reality” when travelling through the bush before.

A ride on the famous Starferry is not only an absolute must when visiting Hong Kong, but it will give you an amazing view of its amazing skyline.

Crossing the walkway from central pier is also a good spot for great Hong Kong skyline photos.

Central Hong Kong will leave you speechless.

Hong Kong skyline with the ship PlanetSolar in Victoria Harbour. PlanetSolar is the largest solar powered ship in the world & also the first one which is on its way around the world (with only solar power). It recently arrived in Hong Kong and we were lucky to be right there.

One of the most intriguing landmarks in Hong Kong is up at the Peak built by architect Terry Farrell.

The Kowloon Tower is the highest building in Hong Kong.  486 meters high with 100 storeys. It took about 8 years to build due to the very difficult ground situation. The basement is 26 meters deep and 6 meter thick to withstand the heavy storms that sometimes rock Hong Kong.

The view from the Peak in Hong Kong.