If there is ever a competition of city that has the most best-lit skyscrapers in the world, the city of Hong Kong will surely fetch the crown. This Asia city even beats the cosmopolitan New York city. There are 45 buildings over than 200 meters tall in Hong Kong and a number of residential apartments with 60 stories, making the city owns four of the 17 tallest buildings in the world. The combination of all these buildings has created an arguably the world’s most outstanding sample of architectural matrix. What an achievement! Hong Kong is undoubtedly the most vertical city in the world, boasting of having one third of the tallest residential buildings in the world. In Hong Kong, everyday people have to go to at least 14th floor building to do their daily business.
Due to the scarcity of the land and the limitation of real estate area, many skyscrapers in Hong Kong are packed into a tiny area. The city indeed boasts two skylines, with the one in Hong Kong island and another on Kowloon across Victoria harbor. However, Hong Kong island’s skyline is still the most impressive one. Its fame has reached international ears and every day visitors from all over the world visit this site. The number is even much higher during holiday. Hong Kong skyline is made up of a series of distinctive sky-reaching towers rather than block-style apartments. The mountainous backdrop even adds to the beauty of the skyline, making the skyline the greatest one on the planet. To get the most amazing view of the skyline, the best time to visit it is in the evening when all the skyscrapers are lit.
The best place to overview the perfect picture of Hong Kong island’s skyline is from the Victoria Peak, the island’s highest point. The Victoria Peak is also called Mount Austin, or The Peak by the locals. Positioned excellently in the western half of Hong Kong island, it stands as high as 552 meters. You could reach The Peak by bus or The Peak Tram. However, most people would prefer going there by the tram considering its speed, safety and convenience. Since its first operation in 1888, the Peak Tram that transports people up and down the hill from 5.40 a.m. to 1 a.m. has always been maintaining a safe reputation and has no accident record. There are only two cars available to take 72 passengers and one driver, which is pulled by 1,500 m steel cables. Rising to 396 meters above sea levels, the tram transports the passengers in seven minutes.
The Peak was never as popular as it is today because during the first six years of Hong Kong’s history, hardly anybody traveled up there. Its popularity started to glow in 1888, when The Peak Tram started its first operation. Back in 1868, the Peak was a summer residence especially built for Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell who yearned to find a cool and humid place to stay. Since then, many affluent and wealthy residents followed his trace. The Peak soon became the most yearning residential place, and was chosen as an exclusive residential area in 1904. It was first reserved only for expatriates, however the population increased fast that in 1947 the area was closed due to the growth of more habitation. The Peak’s natural surrounding is stunning with its forests of bamboo and fern, lilliputian Chinese pines, hibiscus, and vines of phenomenal beauty. You could also catch a glimpse of Macau and Mainland China from the hilltop.
The Victoria Peak has always been the first destination you must visit if you step your feet on Hong Kong. And for this very reason too, Michelle and I strived our best to visit it on our first day in Hong Kong. Passing by the Hong Kong Park, we soon arrived at the Peak Tram. Amazed at how long the queue was, we hurriedly lined up. It was almost 6 pm. At the ticket counter, we found out that they provided a 3-in-1 Combo Package ticket (Peak Tram, Madame Tussauds and The Peak Tower Sky Terrace Admission Tickets) for around 280 HKD. To save some money, we bought the package one. A crowd of people was waiting for the tram to come to pick them up. The queue was extremely long and we had to line up for almost half an hour to get into the tram. When the red vehicle came over, people one by one entered the tram. I had my camera ready in my bag for I did not want to lose the chance to capture the beautiful view.
The tram finally came for us and we picked our seats inside. When it was quite full with people, it soon transported us to the Peak Tower. It took us climbing the hill in an inclining position that makes the buildings seem reclining at a 45-degree angle. I could see the building passing me by at my right and left side.When we arrived at the Peak station, we entered the Peak Tower, a wok-shaped building which most people consider one of the ugliest buildings in Hong Kong. The building was renovated in 2006 adding restaurants, shops and windows to make the view even more breath-taking. However, the best viewing platform raises 30 meters (100 feet) to the top of the Peak Tower or commonly known as the "Sky Terrace". So, we soon took elevators to climb to the Sky Terrace where we could overview the skyline. The Sky Terrace opens Monday to Friday from 10 am-11 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 8 am-11 pm. The view at the open Sky Terrace was so amazing as you can see in the picture below. I have never seen such a beautiful city view like the Hong Kong skyline. There are two ways to view the skyline, at daylight or during the night. Because of Hong Kong's serious smog problems, sometimes the view at daylight is unclear as the polluted haze covers the skyline. However, if you visit the site in July and you are lucky enough, you could have the clearest view of the site in summer mornings after heavy rain washes the smog away. Nevertheless, early mornings are much better than later in the day. I personally chose to go there at night when I could see the beauty of tons of lights without any smog barrier. The night view really impressed me and most people also agree with this.
The view of the Hong Kong skyline taken from the Sky Terrace, Victoria Peak. All these resplendent skyscrapers display their beauty to impress the visitors, leaving unforgettable memories.
Some of the names of the buildings that constitute the Hong Kong skyline are IFC II, Central Plaza, The Center, Cheung Kong Center, HSBC and so on. And among the skyscrapers, the five tallest buildings are IFC II, Central Plaza, Bank of China Tower, The Center and Cheung Kong Center.
I was at the Sky Terrace viewing the Skyline
As soon as I reached the Sky Terrace, I excitedly grabbed my pocket camera from inside my bag and quickly set my photo position before someone else took it. Many people were queuing to get a chance to stand near the metal handrail to have their photo taken. The wind blew strongly bringing coldness to my body. I was shriveling even though I had worn three layers of clothes. My goodness.. It was freezing. I could feel the wind striking into my bones.
It was winter and the wind upstairs blew strongly, causing my body to shrivel
If you want to visit this place, you must be well-prepared with a good camera. However, if you are not lucky enough to have a camera with you, you can ask a professional photographer who always stands by at the site to take your picture in return for 20 HKD. The photo result is worth the price.
Resplendent skyscrapers with the backdrop of Victoria Harbor make the view even more impressive
Visiting Hong Kong Skyline gives me unforgettable memories and a totally new experience of how a small city like Hong Kong can be the world-leading city in tall buildings architecture. So, you must visit it too and enjoy the show…
Sources:
Personal experience and additional information from other online articles
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