If there is only one thing you can do in Hong Kong, go to The Peak. If you have many things to do here, still go to The Peak. The highest point on Hong Kong Island, this has been the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood since colonial times — back then it was the cooler air that attracted the rich and famous; in the post-air-conditioning era, the views of one of the world’s most spectacular cityscapes keep them coming.

That view is also what makes The Peak one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. By day your eyes stretch across sparkling skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour to the green hills of the New Territories. In early evening this panorama melts into pink and orange before reincarnating as a dazzling galaxy of light, shimmering beneath you. And if you listen carefully enough, you can hear Asia’s world city humming below.

The anvil-shaped, The Peak Tower, has a large viewing platform called Sky Terrace 428, in addition to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, and dining and retail outlets. Nearby, The Peak Galleria has a free-entry observation deck, as well as shopping and dining options. Head to Lugard Road Lookout and Lions Point View Pavilion for more stunning views. For leisurely unfolding vistas, take the 3.5-kilometre Peak Circle Walk.

Riding the Peak Tram is a visual experience in its own right — Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers slide past your window at what appear to be impossible angles as you make the ascent to The Peak on the city’s historic, funicular railway. Located at Lower Terminus, The Peak Tram Historical Gallery is a way of paying tribute to The Peak Tram, its heritage and the history of Hong Kong. Since 1888, The Peak Tram has served Hong Kong, quietly witnessing 120 years of the city’s changes. The gallery brings back many memories for local visitors and gives overseas visitors a glimpse of how the Pearl of the Orient has come to shine.