Hong Kong 2nd Day : The Peak, Tram Ride, Central Hong Kong, Star Ferry
June 17, 2016
It was our first out of the country experience and we were brave enough ( I guess ) not to sign up to any tour packages, instead we did a "Do It Yourself" kind of tour as we really wanted to explore and experience a foreign land on our own. The good thing about a DIY tour is that you get to have the freedom to choose where to go, what to do, no need to wake up early in the morning, no cramming, no schedule to follow.
We originally planned to go to Macau on our 2nd day during our 4-day Hong Kong trip. We woke up early and went to Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal at around 8:30 AM lined up on the counter to get a ticket going to Macau. While waiting for our turn, we realized that we might over spend in Macau (since we are on a limited budget) and we can't afford to miss a lot of tourist spots in Hong Kong. Since HK is our top priority we've decided to move our Macau Trip on our 3rd day if our budget permits.
Since we don't have an itinerary to follow, we chose to go to The Peak to experience a Tram ride and explore Central Hong Kong. From Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal, we walked back to Tsim Sha Tsui subway station and took an MTR bound to Central Station. The Peak Tram ticketing office was just 10-15 minute walk from the central station. It was pretty easy to locate the place as there were plenty of road signs. A lot of Filipino's are also in the area (probably taking their day off) so if you don't know where to go next feel free to ask them. We reached The Peak Tram station at around 11:00AM and boy! the crowd was overwhelming. There were a lot (as in a lot) of tourists, but that didn't stop us from our goal. I managed to get a ticket just 15 minutes after we arrived at the station. We waited for another 30-45 minutes before finally boarding on the Tram Car. It was a thrilling ride. We were travelling on a cliff with an elevation of 1,312 ft and it's very steep! Kind of scary at first but the view was amazing.
We reached the Peak few minutes after departing from lower terminus (terminal). The Peak Tower is a shopping and leisure complex, it's like a mall with different stalls and food outlets. Madame Tussauds is also located here. Our tickets includes entrance to the Sky Terrace so after checking different souvenir shops we proceeded to the sky terrace which is known to be the highest viewing point in Hong Kong and provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong's skyscrapers. We were given an interactive touchscreen audio device and a headset. It served as our personal tour guide as it discuss Hong Kong's history (architecture, cuisine and culture). It was like having a personal tour while enjoying the scenic view of Hong Kong. We stayed there for quite a while, roamed around and enjoyed every view as far as our eyes can reach. Sad though because it was quite foggy when went there so we were not really able to see much of the whole Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong's skyline.
By the way, we purchased a return ticket with sky pass. You can also purchase just a single ticket with sky pass then just buy a return ticket from the upper terminus (The Peak Tower Terminal). Two way and single journey tickets without sky pass are also available.
As I've mentioned above, Madame Tussauds is also located here but we didn't bought a ticket because it's kinda pricey. Madame Tussauds is a wax museum which houses nearly 100 internationally known personalities. This is the first Madame Tussauds in Asia as it was originally founded in France.
If you get tired and hungry of roaming around you can take a rest and eat as there are different food establishments in the area.
We left The Peak at around 3:00PM, this time we decided to just walk around Central Hong Kong. We walked around the park, along the highway (lol) just appreciating the beauty of the city. There were many huge concrete and steel buildings which really shows how successful Hong Kong is.
We felt a little bit tired since we did a lot of walking so we ended our Central Hong Kong tour at around 5:00PM. Since we were at the Central Pier area we decided to take a star ferry ride. We were quite surprised that we only have to pay HKD3.40 for the ticket, haha (it's quite cheap isn't it?). Funny thing is, we didn't know where the ferry is going, haha. We just bought a ticket and boarded, excited and happy on our first star ferry ride. We only realized that we were back in Tsim Tsa Tsui when we got off the ferry ^_^.
1. Take the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui station and alight at Central Station.
2. From Central Station exit at Exit J and follow the arrow signs to The Peak. It's around 15 minute walk.
Going back to the hotel just follow the same route starting from Central Station and alight at Tsim Sha Tsui. Or since Central Station is in Hong Kong Island might as well roam around and do the sight seing, like what we did. You will find here the Hong Kong Observation Wheel like of the gigantic London Eye. Then going back to Tsim Sha Tsui, since Hong Kong Observation Wheel is near the ferry port, might as well just take and experience the star ferry at Pier 7. It's around 5 minute sailing for onyl $3.4, half way cheaper than the MTR.
Breakfast : HKD 15
Lunch : HKD 61
MTR : HDK 9.50
Tram Ticket : HKD 83
Star Ferry : HKD 3.4
Dinner : HKD 25
Total : HKD 196.9
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| Road Signs |
Since we don't have an itinerary to follow, we chose to go to The Peak to experience a Tram ride and explore Central Hong Kong. From Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal, we walked back to Tsim Sha Tsui subway station and took an MTR bound to Central Station. The Peak Tram ticketing office was just 10-15 minute walk from the central station. It was pretty easy to locate the place as there were plenty of road signs. A lot of Filipino's are also in the area (probably taking their day off) so if you don't know where to go next feel free to ask them. We reached The Peak Tram station at around 11:00AM and boy! the crowd was overwhelming. There were a lot (as in a lot) of tourists, but that didn't stop us from our goal. I managed to get a ticket just 15 minutes after we arrived at the station. We waited for another 30-45 minutes before finally boarding on the Tram Car. It was a thrilling ride. We were travelling on a cliff with an elevation of 1,312 ft and it's very steep! Kind of scary at first but the view was amazing.
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| The crowd at the The Peak Tram Lower Terminus |
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| While waiting for our turn to board on the tram |
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| The famous The Peak tower |
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| It was already around 1:00 in the afternoon and yet the fog was still very thick. |
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| Striking a pose at the highest point in Hong Kong ^_^ |
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| Retired Peak Tram Car |
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| Ticket Prices |
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| This is what our ticket looks like. Was able to get these in just less than 15 minutes despite of the huge crowd. haha |
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| Madame Tussauds Entrance and Ticketing Counter |
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| Bruce Lee's Wax figure at Madame Tussauds entrance. |
We left The Peak at around 3:00PM, this time we decided to just walk around Central Hong Kong. We walked around the park, along the highway (lol) just appreciating the beauty of the city. There were many huge concrete and steel buildings which really shows how successful Hong Kong is.
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| Fountain at the park somewhere in Central Hong Kong. :D |
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| Bank of China Tower (right) and Cheung Kong Center (left) |
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| Hong Kong's old Supreme Court building |
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| The Cenotaph commemorating the dead of World War I and II with Hong Kong Club Building in the background |
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| 2 International Financial Center |
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| Hong Kong Observation Wheel overlooking Victoria Harbor |
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| The Star Ferry which only cost HKD3.40 per ride ^_^ |
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| Inside the Star Ferry |
TRAVEL GUIDE FROM HOTEL IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO THE PEAK TRAM
1. Take the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui station and alight at Central Station.
2. From Central Station exit at Exit J and follow the arrow signs to The Peak. It's around 15 minute walk.
Going back to the hotel just follow the same route starting from Central Station and alight at Tsim Sha Tsui. Or since Central Station is in Hong Kong Island might as well roam around and do the sight seing, like what we did. You will find here the Hong Kong Observation Wheel like of the gigantic London Eye. Then going back to Tsim Sha Tsui, since Hong Kong Observation Wheel is near the ferry port, might as well just take and experience the star ferry at Pier 7. It's around 5 minute sailing for onyl $3.4, half way cheaper than the MTR.
DAY 2 LIST OF EXPENSES (PER PERSON)
Breakfast : HKD 15
Lunch : HKD 61
MTR : HDK 9.50
Tram Ticket : HKD 83
Star Ferry : HKD 3.4
Dinner : HKD 25
Total : HKD 196.9
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