Welcome aboard everyone, its time to take a trip along hong kong island by double deck tram. Hong kong tramway books the industrial history of hong. In chapter 9 of martin booths book, he describes a tram ride from kennedy town to shau kei wan. Apr 08, 2018 the areas evolution is bought to life in the peak an illustrated history of hong kongs top district through the use of an impressive 140 pictures, including early paintings showing the. The best things to do in hong kong telegraph travel. On the tramoramic tour, travel through hong kong on a vintage opentop tramcar to see major landmarks and learn about daily life in the city. Since april 2010, hong kong tramways limited hkt is wholly owned by veolia transport china limited vtcl. Today, the trams still carry vast numbers of passengers daily, and hong kong is one of the few places in the world where you can ride a doubledeck tram. The tramoramic tour is one of the top things to do in hong kong for anyone whod love to get closer to the city.
Protestors in hong kong demonstrated against a new extradition law proposed by the government of mainland china. The tram also features an onboard video comparing past and present hong kong and a heritage corner with old pictures and genuine tram souvenirs. Hong kong simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. With a total system length of around 30 kilometres, the network runs along the northern shore of hong kong island from kennedy town at the west end to shau kei wan to the east, passing through the busiest parts of the city. The book brings together 80 pairs of photographs, contrasting old colonial buildings with presentday views taken from the same locations. It was the largest protest in hong kong s history according to wikinews this law would allow mainland china to extradite people living or visiting hong kong who may be fugitives. You cannot take this voucher and redeem a ticket at the peak tram admission office. Operating three tours a day, the classic 1920sstyle opentop tram features personal headsets that regale you with tales of local life and tram history in a choice of eight languages as you take a leisurely ride through hong kongs living history. London, is highly regarded as the definitive history of hk tramways. This is hong kong, first published in 1965, captures the enchantment and the contrasts of hong kong in the sixties. The highlight of the tramoramic package is an amazing 1hour trip on board a unique 1920sstyle tram with an open top upper deck. The hong kong government published the professional tramways ordinance. Jun 18, 2007 hong kong has always been something of an anomaly, and an outpost of empire, whether british or chinese.
The top of many travellers lists, shopping in hong kong is just as glorious as they say. A history in pictures unique archives peter waller. Running from garden road admiralty to victoria peak via the midlevels, it provides the most direct route and offers good views over the harbour and skyscrapers of hong kong. Roundtrip transportation to and from your central hong kong or kowloon hotel. For the ultimate peak experience, visit the peaks official website to. John visited hong kong in 1981, 1990 and 2005 and supplied numerous valuable photos in the book. Two additional boarding and alighting points during the tour are allowed respectively subject to prior approval from hong kong tramways. Save time and money with our best price guarantee make the most of your visit to hong kong.
The hong kong tramways website has a good history of the service on. It languished through the 1920s until it was finally dismissed in favour of buses. History of hong kong lonely planet travel information. As the earliest form of motorized public transportation, the tram has operated for over 100 years. Once at the top, look down on the famous hong kong skyline from the panoramic viewpoint of sky terrace 428 the highest 360degree viewing terrace in town. Victoria peak is the top tourist destination and sky terrace gives you the best view of the victoria harbor. Overshadowing hong kongs skyscrapers, victoria peak offers stunning panoramas of the city and woodlands below.
While at the peak, do visit madame tussauds hong kong and get up close with your favourite celebrities. Politically of course, the biggest change was the handing back of hong kong. The victoria peak tram sky pass the peak tower, sky terrace 428. Book your peak tram tickets online and skiptheline. Since 1904, trams have been running from east to west of hong kong island.
It runs on the tracks following the slope of the mountain, taking seven minutes to travel from an. Take a step back in time and explore the bustling north corridor of hong kong island aboard one of the citys historic trams. A forwardthinking city with an iconic skyline to match, hong kong is where all things colourful, commercial and cultural rule. Since 1888, this tram has been hong kong islands most reliable form of public transport between central district and the peak. Year after year, people from around the world visit hong kong to capitalise on its local shopping. The story of the tram began in the 1880s when hong kong was starting to boom and construction hit new levels. When the first tram rolled into service 1 years ago, it was a singledeck model manufactured in the united kingdom, shipped in pieces to hong kong and assembled here. However, the focus was on the peak tram, which was of more interest to the government and business interests that largely resided on victoria peak. Old hong kong blogger david bellis has published a book of some of his favourites from the 15,000 photos he has posted online, and tells us how to look for surprises hidden in the detail of. Extract from letter on page 4 of the china mail, 25th may 1921.
Like the star ferry, the dingding as everyone in hong kong calls the tram offers a cheap and exciting way to see the city. Outlets leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the ultimate retail experience, providing an astounding variety of every product imaginable. Hong kong s singlemost essential experience involves taking the peak tram up victoria peak to get spectacular views looking down on hong kong island and kowloon harbour. Tramoramic tour discover hong kongs living history. Hong kong erotic history tram tour tsuen wan expedia. Guests will be taken to the popular tourist spots like the midlevel escalator, pottinger street, lan kwai fong and wan chai. Discover hong kong, from its historical landmarks to modern skyline, during a 1hour sightseeing tour aboard an elegant 1920s style, historical tram and two full days of access to the citys public tram network.
He is the author of the then and now photo book series, with the latest volume hong kong then and now published this year. Hong kong trams traverse the northern part of hong kong island on a eastwest direction, they are cheap, clunky and slow, but a very unique experience and a sightseeing attraction on its own. Discover hong kong s living history aboard a unique 1920sstyle tram with authentic tales of local life. Several cities in china had tram systems during the 20th century. Here is a quick summary of the key links to book victoria peak tram tickets through klook, get your guide and viator. Drawing upon a fascinating selection of photographs, most of which have never been published before, this book explores the history of hong kongs tramways. Incredible images of hong kongs victoria peak from 19th. Vaughan grylls is an acclaimed british sculptor and fine art photographer whose career spans over 50 years. But there was a lot going on in the region before that wintry morning in 1841 when a contingent of british marines clambered ashore and planted the union flag on the western part of hong kong island, claiming it for the british crown. Things to see and do take an exhilarating journey to hong kongs highest peak via the 125 year old peak tram.
Hong kong tramways launched a new selfpromotional campaign on 26 may 2017 with the slogan catch a ride, catch a smile illustrating the happy collective memories that the citizens share with. The proposed kowloon tram system was not rejected quite as swiftly. The tramway is a living, evolving connection between hong kong s colourful history and modern culture. Today, hong kong trams still provide a vital public service, carrying vast numbers of passengers daily to and from their work or shops, and hong kong is one of the few places in the world where it is still possible to ride on the top deck of a doubledeck tram. Book your tramoramic tour today and enjoy a unique visit through the city. A history of hongkong tramways limited, and predecessor companies. A history in pictures unique archives waller, peter on. There was uncertainty however as to which company would be chosen to build the railway. Tram history, millstone, tram story, anniversary, 100th anniversar, hkt, tramways, memory. Using fascinating photographs, most of which have never been published before, this book is a vivid reminder of how much hong kong has changed.
They have witnessed the transformation of the city from a colonial backwater to a financial powerhouse. The story of the hong kong tramway system paperback january 1, 1984 by martin barnett author. With the commanding views over victoria harbour, it is understandable why it is some of the most sought after real estate in the world. Hong kong tramways ding ding 2020 all you need to know. Buy tram souvenirs which are all available for delivery to customers worldwide. The city was growing at a steady clip as it became an important entrepot for trade with china, and by the beginning of the 20th century, it was in sore need of a public. Tramways of hong kong a history in pictures by peter. Hong kongs tram system is one of the earliest forms of public transport in the metropolis, having opened in 1904 under british rule.
Naturally, the real value in this book is the more recent history and development of the tramway since 1970. Peak tram hong kong 2020 all you need to know before. No inflammable objects, loud hailers or banners are allowed. Hong kong is proud that its funicular railway is the worlds steepest. The 1st book on hk trams published in 1970, hongkong tramways.
Travel in style by jumping aboard the iconic victoria peak tram, hong kongs historical cliff railway. History in the very long scale of history, hong kong as we know it today has existed for a mere blink of an eye. The tramways of hong kong by peter waller takes readers on a colourful, rickety journey through the history of the city via its most iconic transport system. When tuen mun was developed in the 1970s, the hong kong government set aside space for the laying of rail tracks. Ive searched the local newspapers for articles with the word tram from 19101922 inclusive. Hong kong tramways 1984 report the industrial history of. Hong kong erotic history will tell you the stories of prostitution in 19th 20th century on a hopon and hopoff tram tour. The areas evolution is bought to life in the peak an illustrated history of hong kong s top district through the use of an impressive 140 pictures, including early paintings showing the. It has been over 1 years since the peak tram opened in hong kong though, technically, it is not even a tram but a cablehauled funicular railway. Charter your party tram party tram is definitely a unique venue for your next function. This album explores the history of the tramways of hong kong island through the 20th. The hong kong tramways, a streetrunning tram system, started in 1904. Article on page 4 of the hong kong telegraph, 24th june 1911.
Definitive 1970 hong kong tramways book updated and republished. The peak tram is a funicular railway in hong kong, which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of hong kong island. The book early hong kong transport by cheng pohung english. A history of hongkong tramways limited, and predecessor companies, atkinson, robert llewellyn peter on. Bureau of public roads and prepared with the cooperation of the o. In 1982 hong kong tramways showed interest in building the system and running doubledecker trams on it, before abandoning the project after negotiations. These doubledecker streetcars have been travelling through hong kong s busiest thoroughfares since 1904 and continue to be an affordable, inexpensive and fun way to get around. Travel in style by jumping aboard the iconic victoria peak tram, hong kong s historical cliff railway. A report covering an inventory of 40 countries, sponsored by the u. A history in pictures drawing upon a fascinating selection of photographs, most of which have never been published before, this book explores the history of hong kongs tramways. Admission to the gallery is free for peak tram passengers at lower terminus. Request should be made at least 2 working days prior to the hiring date. You must follow someone with a valid tourist guide pass in order to skip the line.
Hong kong tramway books november 28, 2014 hugh farmer articles, hong kong companies, transport cm fung, idj and hf have compiled a list of books which contain information about the history of trams in hong kong. Conventional railway edit the kowloon peninsula south of the boundary street and the stonecutters island was ceded by the then ruling dynasty of china, the ching dynasty, and was added to the crown colony in 1860. Discover hong kongs living history aboard a unique 1920sstyle tram with authentic tales of local life. Please see meeting point and meeting time in activity details to find your tourist guide. Book a tramoramic tour discover hong kong s living history aboard a unique 1920sstyle tram with authentic tales of local life. These also tell you whether the book is in english, chinese or is bilingual. All tram tours shall depart from and end at the whitty street tram depot. Hong kong is a popular layover destination, but with limited time to spare, a guided tour is the best way to maximize your layover. The tramways of hong kong by peter waller takes readers on a colourful, rickety journey through the history of the city via its most iconic.
A railfans look at the hong kong tramways checkerboard hill. A history in pictures, paperback by waller, peter, isbn 9887792853, isbn 9789887792857, brand new, free shipping in the us for more than a century, trams have plied their trade along the shore of hong kong island. Why a tram ride is the best way to explore hong kong. However the 21st century has seen a resurgence in development of tram transport as china struggles with urban traffic congestion and pollution with at least 15 systems operating.
The peak is often dubbed hong kong s most spectacular destination, but even just getting to it can be almost as spellbinding. The kowloon tramway that never was zolima city magazine. Comfortable and cheap transport from west to east or vice. Hong kong tramways hkt is a 3 ft 6 in 1,067 mm narrowgauge tram system in hong kong. Here are the photos weve been sent that show the views hed have seen along that route. Check out the peak tram historical gallery and learn about the history behind what is possibly the most iconic attraction of hong kong. The peak tram opened in 1888 for the exclusive use of the british governor and the peaks residents, but today it can be enjoyed by everyone as the steepest funicular railway in the world. The victoria peak tram sky pass the peak tower, sky. Over the last century, as history witnessed the development of hong kong, the tram remains a nostalgic mode of public transport to uncover the heritage past and exciting new vibes of the city along it tracks. The book early hong kong transport by cheng pohung english text. Launched in january 2016, the tramoramic is hong kongs first sightseeing tour by tram. Hong kong trams linking 1881 and 2014 by way of 30th july 1904 definitive 1970 hong kong tramways book updated and republished bus, tram and peak tram conductors.
In 1933, two companies were given a licence to operate bus services in hong kong. Taking the peak tram to get to victoria peak, a leading tourist spot to view the splendid scene of hong kong, is an unforgettable experience. Definitive 1970 hong kong tramways book updated and. Skip the line victoria peak admission 2020 hong kong sar. Hongkong tramways, joseph tse yiuhon and john prentice, light. At 1,811 feet or 552 meters high it has long been the address of choice for the taipans of old and new. Party tram is definitely a unique venue for your next function.
Before it opened in 1888, the only way to get up to victoria peak was to walk or take a bumpy ride in a sedan chair on steep. Arriving at the top, youll discover incredible panoramic views over hong kong, uplifting mountaintop walks, and great shopping, cafes and restaurants. Hong kong tramway books the industrial history of hong kong. How to buy victoria peak tram tickets for hong kong. Peak tram hong kong 2020 all you need to know before you. Victoria peak is hong kong islands highest point and a landmark of the hong kong skyline. Hong kong museum of medical sciences in sheung wan. In 1904, hong kong tramways had 26 tramcars, but today, after 100 years, it has the largest doubledeck tram fleet in the world, counting more than 160 tramcars and carrying more than 200,000 passengers a day. Discover hong kongs living history with the tramoramic tour. Aug 27, 2015 the two permanent exhibitions dr sun yatsen and modern china permanent exhibitionand hong kong in dr sun yatsens time are ideal events for those who are interested in the history of contemporary hong kong. Hong kongs tram system is one of the earliest forms of public transport in the metropolis.