Hong Kong: Skyscrapers, Victoria Peak, City Life, Shopping, Night Skyline, Music Recital
We start our first day in Hong Kong by walking from our hotel to the Peak Tram, which will take us to the top of Victoria Peak, a prominent mountain next to the city on Hong Kong Island. On the way we admire the abstract shapes of the huge buildings of steel and glass around us, and on the abstract reflections to be seen in their shiny faces. At left is the Bank of China Tower, 367 meters tall with 72 floors, completed in 1990. The reflections below are seen near the Cheung Kong Center.
In 10 minutes the cable-drawn Peak Tram lifts us up the 27° incline to an elevation of 396 meters (right).
The Peak Tower is above the upper terminus of the tram. Inside are shops and restaurants, and from the top there is a commanding view of the city.
The actual summit of Victoria Peak (here framed by high priced residences) is home only to antennas, and is not accessible by visitors.
Here we begin walking the "Peak Circuit", a level 2 mile trail that circumnavigates the peak.
While high-rise condos cluster on the slopes below, at this level there are private homes, in a tropical park-like setting.
Beyond the high-rise condos and apartments is busy Victoria Harbor.
Above, the building with the pyramidal top is Yat Chau International Plaza. Stonecutters Island is at top left.
At right, International Finance Centres One (left) and Two (right) tower over the business district. Tower Two is 415 meters and 88 floors in height.
Below, the building with the ball on top is The Westpoint (office building).
A high density of apartment buildings cluster around the business district.
Passengers line up to board the tram for the descent.
Muslim women enjoy an outing in Victoria Park.
Tennis practice at the Wan Chai Sports Ground.
Pleasure boats moored at Causeway Bay.
Yachts great and small at Causeway Bay.
Christmas shopping and festivities at the Times Square Shopping Mall.
A different kind of shopping is possible at the Sheung Wan "wet markets".
Panorama of Hong Kong at night in the Christmas season, as seen from Kowloon, with lights on parts of Victoria Peak behind. Use the slider to pan across the cityscape and skyline.
Hong Kong's historic clock tower, at Kowloon.
Getting around the city on double-decker trolleys and buses.
An impromptu music recital, at the Hong Kong apartment of Xiaoming's son Shuo. Left to right are Rick, Dr. Ray, Jenna (with violin), Shuo, Xiaoming, two local relatives of the family, and Lily.