The Peak, The steepest funicular railway in the world

The Peak Tramway, is one of the most popular attraction of Hong Kong. The world's oldest and most famous funicular railways. Opened in May 1888 for the exclusive use of the British Governor and Victoria Peak residents, the first mechanical public transport in Hong Kong, the steepest funicular railway in the world. The trams were originally steam-driven. In 1926, an electric cable haulage system was introduced and the current modernized enclosed, 2-car trams were introduced in 1989, using a 1520 mm. rail gauge.

The Peak Hong Kong

Victoria Peak Hong Kong

The Peak is a 1.4 kilometer funicular railway connecting the Central district of Hong Kong with the Peak. The Lower Peak Tram terminus is located at Garden Road and the Upper Peak Tram Terminus is located inside the Peak Tower, 396 meters above sea level and 150 meters below the summit of Victoria Peak. The journey is steep, with the sharpest incline at 45-degrees, and is spectacular with panoramic views over the northern coast of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour and Kowloon.

The Peak Tram Hong Kong

The trams were originally steam-driven until an electric cable haulage system was introduced in 1926. The current modernized enclosed two-car articulated trams and Swiss-built microprocessor controlled operating system were introduced in 1989 and are the fifth generation of trams. The two trams run in opposite directions and each has a passenger capacity of 120 passengers (95 seated and 25 standing). Trams operate at about 10/15 minute frequency and the journey from terminus to terminus takes about 8 minutes with a maximum speed of 21.6 km per hour. The tramway can currently operate up to 245 daily trips carrying a maximum of 30,480 passengers.

First Photo credit Jon Parise

Funicular Hong Kong, Victoria Peak