Victoria Peak Primer

Victoria Peak's Chinese name, Tai Ping Shan, means Mountain of Great Peace, and it certainly seems to inspire momentary hushed awe in visitors at the viewing point, a few yards left along the road from the tram terminal. Spread below you is a glittering forest of skyscrapers; beyond them the harbor and—on a clear day—Kowloon's eight mountains. On a rainy day wisps of cloud catch on the buildings' pointy tops; at night both sides of the harbor burst into color. Consider having dinner at one of the restaurants near the Upper Terminus. Forsake all else up here and start your visit with the lookout point: there are a hundred other shopping ops in the world, but few views like this.

As you step off the Peak Tram, a sharp intake of breath and bout of sighing over the view will cure the feeling that you left your stomach somewhere down in Central. Whatever the time, whatever the weather, be it your first visit or your 50th, this is Hong Kong's one unmissable sight.

Before buying a return ticket down on the tram, consider taking one of the beautiful low-impact trails back to Central. Buses also go down. You'll be treated to spectacular views in all directions on the Hong Kong Trail, an easygoing 40- to 60-minute paved path that begins and ends at the Peak Tram Upper Terminus. Start by heading north along fern-encroached Lugard Road. There's another stunning view of Central from the lookout, 20 minutes along, after which the road snakes west to an intersection with Hatton and Harlech roads. From here Lantau, Lamma, and—on incredibly clear days—Macau come into view. The longer option from here is to wind your way down Hatton to the University of Hong Kong campus in Western District.

Bypass the overpriced tourist traps inside Sky Terrace and Gallery and head straight up the escalators to the rooftop, which looks down over the Pok Fu Lam country park and reservoir, and, on a clear day, Aberdeen.

The tacky but immediately recognizable Peak Tower is where you'll find the panoramic-view Australian restaurant Pearl on the Peak. 128 Peak Rd., The Peak, Hong Kong. 2849-0668. www.thepeak.com.hk. Weekdays 10 am-11 pm, weekends and holidays 8 am-11 pm.

Local heroes Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Michelle Yeoh are some of the famous faces resisting meltdown at Asia's first branch of London's famous wax works, Madame Tussaud's, which specializes in Asian stars of all categories, in addition to the usual international celebrities. Hong Kong. 2849-6966. www.madametussauds.com/hongkong. HK$160. 10-10.

The neighboring upscale restaurant Peak Lookout emerged in 2001 from the site of the beloved Peak Café, which first opened in 1947. It offers fine dining in a heritage-theme setting with an open garden terrace overlooking Aberdeen. 121 Peak Rd., the PeakCentral, Hong Kong. 2849-1000. www.thepeaklookout.com.hk. Sun.-Thurs. 10:30 am-11:30 pm, Fri., Sat., and eve of holidays 10:30 am-1 am.