If Hong Kong is a city of jade during the day, it becomes a luminous pearl with a sea of lights twinkling in the streets after dark. Where is the best place to enjoy the multi-colorful night scene that encompasses Hong Kong and Vitoria Harbor? Victoria Peak (太平山顶 tài píng shān dǐng) is a good location to view its night scene. Being 554 meters (about 1,817.6 feet) above sea level, Victoria Peak is the highest point within Hong Kong and occupies the western part of the island.

How to reach Victoria Peak? Tourists can take the Peak Tram, a pleasant ride ascending the mountain. The tram has been in operation for over one hundred years, and to date, no accidents have ever occurred. Your journey aboard the tram will take eight minutes and upon reaching the summit you will see a seven storied building in the shape of a ship. This is the Peak Tower in which there are several attractions namely, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, and the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator.

If you want to take a photo with your favorite movie or sport stars, then please visit Madame Tussauds Hong Kong (香港杜莎夫人蜡像馆 xiāng gǎng dū shì shā fū rén là xiàng guǎn). This museum exhibits over 100 waxworks of celebrities from all works of life from the middle ages to the present day, including President Hu Jintao (胡锦涛). On the second and the third floors of the Peak Tower is a museum called Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium. From its name, tourists may image how bizarre the more than 450 exhibits collected from all over the world are. On the fourth floor is the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator. It is very welcoming to all visitors and equipped with high-tech projectors, sound system and motion chairs. Sitting on the chair and looking at the images on screen, it appears that you are actually there and witnessing what happens around you. Here you will enjoy an exciting journey.

Viewing Hong Kong at night is a must! The panoramic vista (全景景色 quán jǐng jǐng sè )is one of the most beautiful night scenes in the world so a visit to the Lion Pavilion (狮子亭 shī zi tíng)on the peak is a must. Standing upon the pavilion and overlooking the Victoria Harbor (维多利亚港 wéi duō lì yà gǎng)and the Kowloon Peninsula (九龙半岛 jiǔ lóng bàn dǎo), a spectacular night view will unfold in front of your eyes. The Victoria Harbor is one of the world's busiest harbors and has a constant ebb and flow of shipping all year round. With row upon row of skyscrapers stand prominently on the Central District which is Hong Kong's financial and economic hub. The most spectacular are the Bank of China Tower(中国银行大厦zhōng guó yín háng dà shà ) and the Central Plaza (中环广场 zhōng huán guǎng chǎng ). The Bank of China Tower, with 72 stories soars skyward and is designed by an American-born Chinese architect Bei Yuming (Ieoh Ming Pei); with the bamboo-shaped outlook of the tower symbolizing that the Bank of China aspires to get better and better. The Central Plaza is a reinforced concrete building with 78 stories.

The whole city is swathed by glittering neon lights along the banks of Victoria Harbor. Another way to experience Hong Kong's night views is from Peak Garden. You can walk among fragrant flowers, butterflies and birds while enjoying the spectacular vista.

No matter when you come to the Victoria Peak, it will always give you a beautiful view of Hong Kong.

How to get there:

Take a bus from the following places to the garden:
1. From Central: Buses No.3B, 12, 13
2. From Admiralty: Buses No.12A, 12M, 40M, 40P, 40
3. From Causeway Bay: Buses No.23A 23B
4. From North Point: Bus No.23
5. From Lok Fu: Bus No.103
Admission Fee: Free of charge
Opening Hours: Fountain Terrace Garden 6:00-22:00
Greenhouse: 9.00-16.30
Others: 6.00-19.00