Hong Kong: Bank of China Tower & Victoria Peak

Before we left for sightseeing in the city of 7 million inhabitants, we got an octopus card in an MRT station. This plastic card can be used to pay almost anywhere in Hong Kong and is essential for bus trips without change, for example. In addition to public transport, we can also use it to pay at restaurants or in some supermarkets. When the prepaid card is returned, the deposit (HK$50) and the remaining credit are returned.

Hong Kong Park and Bank of China Tower

We took the subway “Island Line” from our hotel to the station Admiralty. From there we walked past the oddly shaped Lippo Towers to Hong Kong Park. This beautifully landscaped 80,000 m² green area was opened in 1991. Within these are a museum, several lakes and even a small bird park. We left the park towards the Bank of China Tower. This 367 meter high office tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world. A clear distinguishing feature from other high-rise buildings are the visible white cross braces in the glass front.

On our way to the ifc-Mall or TWO ifc-Tower, we repeatedly encountered crowds of people in the pedestrian zones who were sitting on the floor in cardboard boxes that had been cut apart. There they mostly came together in small groups with suitcases and umpteen plastic bags. My first thought was that they were gathered here in protest against the banks, similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Because they didn't exactly look like beggars or homeless people, as some were busy with their laptops or smartphones, among other things. But we couldn't find out the exact reason.

Addition (01/23/2015): As I have been informed in the meantime, these are mainly servants of rich Hong Kong families who only have Sundays off.

Arriving at the ifc mall, we actually wanted to go to the currency museum on the 55th floor of the TWO ifc tower. Unfortunately, since today was Sunday, it was closed.

Longest escalator in the world in Hong Kong

So we took the world's longest, but unfortunately not continuous, escalator into the mountains of Hong Kong Island. This 800 meter taxiway runs downhill from 6am to 10am and in the opposite direction from 10:20am to midnight. In the individual height levels we had to cross smaller and smaller streets. There are usually different restaurants or hotels here.

Victoria Peak Hong Kong

With blue skies and sunshine we decided to go to Victoria Peak. At 552 meters, this is the highest point in Hong Kong Island. We reached the observation tower at 379 meters with the Peak Tram, a Swiss funicular railway opened in 1888. It departs from near Hong Kong Park and the fare (HK$28/up, HK$12/down) can be paid for with the Octopus Card. The train leads very steeply up the mountain, from where you get a great view of the city. Once at the top, we hiked along the Hong Kong Trail. After about 15 minutes, on a well-developed path, we reached a great vantage point to take photos.

Admission to the Sky Terrace of the Victoria Tower is actually not worth it, as there is a free viewing terrace in the shopping center next door.