Hong Kong: The Peninsula, Victoria Harbour & the Art of East Meets West

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China, located on the eastern Pearl River Delta in southern China. It consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 smaller islands. With a population of over 7.4 million in an area of just 1,104 square kilometres, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places on earth — and one of the most spectacular vertical cities in the world.

Hong Kong was a British colony from 1842, when China ceded Hong Kong Island under the Treaty of Nanjing at the end of the First Opium War, until the handover of sovereignty to China on 1 July 1997. Under the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems,' Hong Kong retained its capitalist system, common law legal system, and separate currency (the Hong Kong dollar) for 50 years after the handover.

Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour is the deep-water harbour between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula and the geographical and social heart of the city. It is one of the deepest natural maritime harbours in the world and is the reason Hong Kong became one of the world's greatest trading ports. The Symphony of Lights — a daily sound-and-light show involving more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour — has been held every evening since 2004. Reference: [Hong Kong Tourism Board](https://www.discoverhongkong.com)

The Star Ferry

The Star Ferry (starferry.com.hk) is the historic passenger ferry service that has crossed Victoria Harbour between Central (Hong Kong Island) and Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) since 1888. The green-and-white double-deck ferries — among the most iconic sights of Hong Kong — make the crossing in about 8 minutes. National Geographic Traveler has named the Star Ferry crossing one of the 'fifty places of a lifetime.' Reference: [Star Ferry Official](https://www.starferry.com.hk)

Where to Stay: The Peninsula Hong Kong

The Peninsula Hong Kong (peninsula.com) is the founding property of the Peninsula Hotels group and one of the most historic hotels in Asia. Opened in 1928, it was the first hotel in Hong Kong to offer hot and cold running water in every room. It overlooks Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, with the most spectacular views of the Hong Kong Island skyline. Known as 'the Grande Dame of the Far East,' the Peninsula has been the hotel of choice for visiting heads of state, film stars, and business leaders for nearly a century. It is the only hotel in the city with its own fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms (14, the largest fleet of any hotel in the world) and rooftop helipads. Reference: [The Peninsula Hong Kong Official](https://www.peninsula.com/en/hong-kong/5-star-luxury-hotel-kowloon)

The Peak

Victoria Peak (often simply 'the Peak'), at 552 metres on Hong Kong Island, is the highest point on the island and the location of some of the most expensive residential real estate in the world. The Peak Tram (thepeak.com.hk), a funicular railway operating since 1888, carries visitors from Central to the Peak in about 7 minutes at grades of up to 48 degrees. The Peak Tower at the summit offers panoramic views across the harbour and the city. Reference: [The Peak Tram Official](https://www.thepeak.com.hk)

Getting There

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), built on reclaimed land on the island of Chek Lap Kok and opened in 1998, is one of the busiest passenger airports in the world and a major hub for Asia. It is the home base of Cathay Pacific (cathaypacific.com). The Airport Express train connects the airport to Central in 24 minutes.

Reference Links:

- The Peninsula Hong Kong: peninsula.com/en/hong-kong

- Star Ferry: starferry.com.hk

- The Peak Tram: thepeak.com.hk

- Hong Kong Tourism Board: discoverhongkong.com

- Hong Kong International Airport: hongkongairport.com

- Cathay Pacific: cathaypacific.com

- Airport Express: mtr.com.hk