The Peak Galleria

As it also houses the bus station, most guests arriving at The Peak will enter the Peak Galleria shopping mall as they alight. Operated by Hang Lung Properties, the Galleria underwent a huge refurbishment in 2019 and is now (almost!) totally reopened.

It is well worth a visit – if only to use best public toilets available in the area! 

Peak Galleria Playground

The state-of-the-art new Peak Galleria playground on level one features slides and climbing apparatus galore. Situated outside on level one, this play area boasts fantastic panoramas across to Cheung Chau and Lantau Island, with ample seating spots for parents to enjoy the views.

Suitable for children aged from four to 12, we’d recommend visiting earlier in the day, as the sun can be pretty ferocious after lunch. 

Build-a-Bear Workshop

This famous American toy brand now has its own Hong Kong outpost at the Galleria, where kids can create their very own friend or build a unique Hong Kong souvenir. The Workshop is open daily from 11am-8pm and no advance booking is required.

Observation Deck

There are plenty of viewing points at Victoria Peak, but the Galleria’s newly refurbished rooftop is one of our favourites. Best of all, it’s completely free! Just keep following the escalators upwards. You can’t miss it.

Tai Cheong Bakery

This famous Hong Kong bakery has outlets all around Hong Kong; their newest is located on level two of the Peak Galleria. Their freshly-baked egg tarts really are melt-in-the-mouth and are an enticing pitstop for any visit to the Peak.

Egg tarts are a big deal in Hong Kong, find out more about them here.

Monopoly Dreams

This is a brand new attraction for Hong Kong and an Instagrammer’s dream come true!

You can read all about Monopoly Dreams here in our dedicated blog post.

Peak Tower

The Peak’s most-visited building is home to the Peak Tram station, along with many retail, and food and beverage outlets. You’ll find a Madame Tussauds waxwork museum and one of our family friendly Hong Kong restaurant recommendations. The Sky Terrace is another great viewing spot, however there is a charge to visit this. 

Walk a little further

Most visitors stick to the developed area near the bus and tram terminuses and don’t venture further. However, if you’ve got a little time and energy to spare, there are a couple of short strolls that are less crowded and well worth your while. Obviously if you have a lot of time and bags of energy there are more strenuous hikes to enjoy around Hong Kong.

The Peak Circuit

Leave the Peak terminus behind you and take a right onto Lugard Road. You’ll find that this circular walk is pleasant, easy, mostly in the shade. Approximately 4km long, this leisurely walk takes around 1.5 hours. There are several view points, some crazy banyan trees and you’ll also pass the supposedly haunted Dragon Lodge.

Mount Austin

Walking uphill from The Peak’s main piazza area, head up to Mount Austin for a family friendly picnic spot and playground. This area was redeveloped in 2007 and encompasses the gardens of the former Mountain Lodge, which was the Governor of Hong Kong’s summer house up until 1946. You’ll also find the excellent Mount Austin playground just here. 

Mount Austin Playground

Something of a rarity in Hong Kong, Mount Austin Playground features a safely enclosed space in which you can spend time as a family. The park has play equipment for children from two to 12 years, and plenty of paths for scooters and bikes. Another rarity – plenty of inviting lawned spaces that are perfect for picnics or even an alfresco birthday party!

Victoria Peak Gardens

Right at Victoria Peak’s summit –  also known as Mount Austin – you’ll find Victoria Peak Gardens. These include beautiful landscaped gardens that once formed part of Mountain Lodge, the Governor’s summer residence which was demolished in 1946.

Some remnants such as steps and tiles remain from the 2007 refurbishment, and the striking Gatehouse is an original feature. 

Barker Road

If you fancy a change of scenery, a walk down Barker Road definitely offers an experience that is a little off the beaten path. Accessed via Findlay Path, which is next to the Peak Tower, descending via this road takes you past one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. Look out for Headquarters House, home to the head of the People’s Liberation Army in Hong Kong.

Next door to Headquarters House you’ll see Victoria House. Formerly a maternity hospital, it is now the official residence of the Chief Secretary for Administration – at time of writing, Matthew Cheung. Currently under refurbishment, is 22 Barker Road, Jack Ma’s Hong Kong property, which he paid in excess of HK $1.5 billion for back in 2015. 

Following Chatham Path, you’ll take a zig-zag route down to May Road where you can pick up the Peak Tram from its steepest station for a fast-track ride back down to Central.

Other Hong Kong Highlights

Check out our other Hong Kong guides.

Guide to Mong Kok’s markets,

Guide to Hong Kong’s Best Parks

Guide to Repulse Bay.

Alternatively, if you’d like a little help exploring Hong Kong, book a fabulous private tour with Hong Kong Greeters.

The post Top Tips for Visiting Victoria Peak appeared first on Hong Kong Greeters.

What is it?

This entirely Monopoly-themed attraction is the first of its kind in the world, with a second location slated for Melbourne in the future. From the thimble shaped lampshades at the snack bar to the themed rooms including a safe, a jail cell and a waterworks, the attention to detail can’t be faulted. There are old monopoly sets from different countries on display. In essence, it’s across between an indoor theme park and a museum.

Who is it aimed at?

Monopoly fans

First and foremost, this is the place for die-hard Monopoly lovers to fulfill their wildest Monopoly Dreams. The onsite shop also stocks an extensive range of Monopoly Sets including limited edition and themed sets.

Families

It’s family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the money grab booths, you can keep three notes as souvenirs or to use them for a small discount in the shop. You can also try managing the waterworks and ‘helping’ Mr Monopoly catch a thief in the 4D theatre. Dont’ forget to scan the QR code on your ticket to receive your very own ‘title deeds’ to one of the properties on the Hong Kong Monopoly board. However, it would probably appeal to younger kids, rather than tweens and teens or tiny tots who might be a little bored.

The Snap Happy Social Media Savvy…. Yes indeed, Monopoly Dreams is Instaworthy.

Pretend to be a prison inmate, strike a pose in front of the Hong Kong Monopoly themed neon wall or imagine you are raiding Mr Monopoly’s safe.

Monopoly Dreams can come true…

Be sure to hang on to your tickets, you will need them if you want your own Monopoly deeds to a piece of prime Hong Kong Monopoly Dreams real estate. There is also a prize for every customer. Scan your ticket again just before exiting to win a prize. It could be a small prize, such as a drink from the tuck shop. Alternatively, it could be a huge prize, such as an air ticket to Taiwan. Some of you will get an 8 digit code to try to unlock Mr Monopoly’s safe, the prize inside is rather special and it could make your Monopoly Dreams come true for real….

Where is it?

Located on the 3rd floor inside the newly refurbished Peak Galleria close to the Peak Tram terminus on Victoria Peak. You can find out more by visiting their website.

Anything else

It will be interesting to see if there are any more developments to this new Hong Kong Attraction down the line. It looks fantastic and there has clearly been a lot of time and money invested to get it looking just right. Right now, it leans on the side of being a little bit too much ‘look and don’t touch’. So we’re hoping there might be a few more surprises in store down the line. After all, we’re sure you’ll agree that the more interactive an experience is, the better. Which applies especially when it’s family-friendly.

You might also be interested to know that Monopoly Dreams also has outdoor space which is available for private or corporate functions.

Other Family Fun at Victoria Peak

Here are our other top recommendations for a family-friendly day out at the Peak…

The Peak Walk

Click here for a map of this circular 3.5km trail around the summit. You’ll be pleased to know there’s only a slight incline, and you will be rewarded with the BEST viewing point of the harbour along Lugard Road. This is a great family activity if spending the day at Hong Kong Island’s highest summit. We promise you the kids will sleep well at the end of their day out.

Let’s go fly a Kite at Victoria Peak Gardens

To finish off your walk around the perimeter of the summit, why not take the chance to climb up to the top to enjoy Victoria Peak Gardens. These gardens used to be part of a bigger house built for Governor MacDonnell in 1867 and only the Gatehouse has survived. It’s a great place to bring a kite. Just be sure to mind the trees – many a family day out has been ‘ruined’ when the kite got stuck in a tree!

The Peak Galleria

This is in fact one of two shopping malls at the summit, however, this one has only just been refurbished (November 2019) and now includes a number of new restaurants, bakeries and shopping opportunities. Our favourites to visit with kids are Tai Cheong Bakery for egg tarts, the free lookout point from the rooftop, and the awesome kids’ playground on level 1.

The Peak Tower

And finally, The Peak Tower, is probably the most visited mall of the whole complex. This is because it is home to the iconic Peak Tram funicular. There is also a paid lookout point from the roof currently costing HK $52 for adults and HK $26 for kids. Other attractions inside are Madame Tussauds and the Peak Post Office with a special Peak chop for your postcard. If the kids are getting peckish, Bubbha Gump’s is our top pick for kids, it doesn’t fail to entertain, and you get a great vantage point to boot.

Other Family Friendly Outings

Lastly, find out more about other Hong Kong family-friendly outings with Hong Kong Greeters here.

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