Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Iconic Scenic Viewpoint (Selfie spot)
22 Mount Austin Road, 22 Mount Austin Rd, The Peak, Hong Kong
Victoria Peak
Great,
You found me.
Welcome to Victoria Peak, our very first stop and the perfect way to begin your Hong-Kong driving adventure.
We actually passed the formal Victoria Peak about a mile back, but I wanted to find a safe spot for you to pull over while I tell you a bit about this iconic area.
If you can safely stop the car near the sidewalk and turn on your hazard lights, that would be great.
If not, no worries. Carefully make a U-turn, and I’ll continue guiding you as you drive back towards Victoria Peak. Just follow the route on your map.
Rising 552 meters above sea level, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong-Kong Island.
From here, you’re treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding islands. It’s no wonder this is Hong-Kong’s most famous viewpoint.
You probably drove up here via scenic Peak Road, but another way to reach the top is by taking the historic Peak Tram, which has been operating since 1888.
The tram itself is a piece of living history, once reserved exclusively for British colonial officials and wealthy residents.
During the colonial era, only the Governor, top officials, and Hong Kong’s elite were allowed to live up here. The Peak’s cooler temperatures and cleaner air made it a desirable escape from the heat, humidity, and pollution of the city below.
I’ll tell you more about the island’s British colonial history shortly.
When you reach the area of Victoria Peak again, at the intersection of Mount Austin Road and Peak Road, you’ll notice the famous Peak Tower on your left, and just across from it, The Peak Galleria mall.
If the weather is good and you’d like to stop for a closer look, your best bet is to park at The Peak Galleria.
Here are your top options:
1. Enter Sky Terrace 428.
Walk to the Peak Tower and head up to Sky Terrace 428 for a stunning 360-degree view. Entrance fees apply.
2. Walk to Lions Pavilion.
Take a short walk down Findlay Path, just outside the Galleria, for a great free view of Victoria Harbour, the skyscrapers, and the rest of Hong-Kong.
3. Stroll along Peak Circle Walk.
For a longer, peaceful walk, head up Lugard Road for nature, quiet greenery, and panoramic city views. Free of charge.
And of course, don’t forget to take a selfie. This is the perfect place to capture unforgettable photos of your journey.
Take a moment here to admire the beauty of Hong Kong from above and reflect on how this city has grown from a quiet fishing village into one of the most impressive skylines in the world.
When you’re ready, let’s continue our journey down towards the vibrant streets of the Central District.
If you decide to make a stop, remember you can always pause the tour and continue later.
Just enter the tour screen in the app, tap “Starting Point,” select the next stop, and tap “Start Tour.”
You found me.
Welcome to Victoria Peak, our very first stop and the perfect way to begin your Hong-Kong driving adventure.
We actually passed the formal Victoria Peak about a mile back, but I wanted to find a safe spot for you to pull over while I tell you a bit about this iconic area.
If you can safely stop the car near the sidewalk and turn on your hazard lights, that would be great.
If not, no worries. Carefully make a U-turn, and I’ll continue guiding you as you drive back towards Victoria Peak. Just follow the route on your map.
Rising 552 meters above sea level, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong-Kong Island.
From here, you’re treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding islands. It’s no wonder this is Hong-Kong’s most famous viewpoint.
You probably drove up here via scenic Peak Road, but another way to reach the top is by taking the historic Peak Tram, which has been operating since 1888.
The tram itself is a piece of living history, once reserved exclusively for British colonial officials and wealthy residents.
During the colonial era, only the Governor, top officials, and Hong Kong’s elite were allowed to live up here. The Peak’s cooler temperatures and cleaner air made it a desirable escape from the heat, humidity, and pollution of the city below.
I’ll tell you more about the island’s British colonial history shortly.
When you reach the area of Victoria Peak again, at the intersection of Mount Austin Road and Peak Road, you’ll notice the famous Peak Tower on your left, and just across from it, The Peak Galleria mall.
If the weather is good and you’d like to stop for a closer look, your best bet is to park at The Peak Galleria.
Here are your top options:
1. Enter Sky Terrace 428.
Walk to the Peak Tower and head up to Sky Terrace 428 for a stunning 360-degree view. Entrance fees apply.
2. Walk to Lions Pavilion.
Take a short walk down Findlay Path, just outside the Galleria, for a great free view of Victoria Harbour, the skyscrapers, and the rest of Hong-Kong.
3. Stroll along Peak Circle Walk.
For a longer, peaceful walk, head up Lugard Road for nature, quiet greenery, and panoramic city views. Free of charge.
And of course, don’t forget to take a selfie. This is the perfect place to capture unforgettable photos of your journey.
Take a moment here to admire the beauty of Hong Kong from above and reflect on how this city has grown from a quiet fishing village into one of the most impressive skylines in the world.
When you’re ready, let’s continue our journey down towards the vibrant streets of the Central District.
If you decide to make a stop, remember you can always pause the tour and continue later.
Just enter the tour screen in the app, tap “Starting Point,” select the next stop, and tap “Start Tour.”
Read More
Place #2
Distance: 0.43mi
, Attraction : Transportation Landmark
3A Castle Rd, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Mid-Levels Escalator
We’re now approaching one of Hong-Kong’s most unique engineering marvels – the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator.
Look up ahead.
Can you see it crossing over the street?
The escalator was born out of necessity. Back in the late 1980s, Hong Kong’s urban planners realized that the steep hills of the Mid-Levels made commuting extremely tiring for residents who lived uphill but worked down in Central.
It was officially opened to the public on October 1993, following 2 years of construction.
Built at a cost of around HK$240 million, it consists of 18 escalators and 3 moving walkways, seamlessly linked to help people navigate this challenging terrain.
Interesting fact:
From 6 am to 10 am, the escalator runs downhill to carry residents to work.
Then at 10 am, it switches to uphill mode, running until midnight, helping people get home easily after a long day.
Imagine how life-changing this was for residents back in the 90s. How the exhausting climb up steep slopes became a breezy 20-minute ride, with the city’s sights, sounds, and hidden gems unfolding along the way.
We'll soon pass by it again, on Staunton Street, where I’ll share more stories about its role in daily life and Hong Kong culture.
Look up ahead.
Can you see it crossing over the street?
The escalator was born out of necessity. Back in the late 1980s, Hong Kong’s urban planners realized that the steep hills of the Mid-Levels made commuting extremely tiring for residents who lived uphill but worked down in Central.
It was officially opened to the public on October 1993, following 2 years of construction.
Built at a cost of around HK$240 million, it consists of 18 escalators and 3 moving walkways, seamlessly linked to help people navigate this challenging terrain.
Interesting fact:
From 6 am to 10 am, the escalator runs downhill to carry residents to work.
Then at 10 am, it switches to uphill mode, running until midnight, helping people get home easily after a long day.
Imagine how life-changing this was for residents back in the 90s. How the exhausting climb up steep slopes became a breezy 20-minute ride, with the city’s sights, sounds, and hidden gems unfolding along the way.
We'll soon pass by it again, on Staunton Street, where I’ll share more stories about its role in daily life and Hong Kong culture.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 18 stops, covering top attractions such as Victoria Peak, Mid-Levels Escalator, Ladder Street, Man Mo Temple, Western Market.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Victoria Peak (Address: 22 Mount Austin Road, 22 Mount Austin Rd, The Peak, Hong Kong). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.