Hong Kong’s famous Peak Tram to close for six months for renovations

'Taking the Peak Tram just now reminds me of my childhood memories,' says Hong Kong resident Cedric Yu

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  A Peak Tram passes an uphill of the Victoria Peak with a backdrop of Hong Kong. Vincent Yu / AP Photo

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  A Peak Tram passes uphill of the Victoria Peak in Hong Kong on June 16, 2021. Vincent Yu / AP Photo

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  Passengers pose next to a Peak Tram on June 16, 2021. Hong Kong’s Peak Tram is a fixture in the memories of many residents and tourists, ferrying passengers up Victoria Peak for a bird’s eye view of the city’s many skyscrapers. Vincent Yu / AP Photo

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  Passengers enjoy a view from the cabin as a Peak Tram goes downhill of the Victoria Peak in Hong Kong on June 17, 2021. Vincent Yu / AP Photo

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  Passengers take photos from a Peak Tram during a tram journey in Hong Kong on June 17, 2021. Vincent Yu / AP Photo

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  The Peak Tram started operations in 1888, when Hong Kong was a British colony, to transport people up Victoria Peak instead of using sedan chairs. The original carriages were made of varnished timber and seated 30 passengers in three classes. Hong Kong Peak Tramways via AP

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  A first generation Peak Tram which serviced from 1988 to 1926 is seen in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Peak Tramways via AP

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  A Peak Tram passes an uphill of the Victoria Peak in Hong Kong on June 17, 2021. Vincent Yu / AP Photo

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  A third generation Peak Tram which serviced from 1948 to 1959 is seen in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Peak Tramways via AP

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  A second generation Peak Tram which serviced from 1926 to 1948 is seen in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Peak Tramways via AP

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  A Peak Tram passes uphill of the Victoria Peak in Hong Kong on June 17, 2021. Vincent Yu / AP Photo

Hong Kong’s Peak Tram is a fixture in the memories of many residents and tourists, ferrying passengers up Victoria Peak for a bird’s-eye view of the city’s many skyscrapers.

Enthusiasts and others have been rushing for one last ride before the Peak Tram closes for renovations. The tram will stop service on Monday for a six-month makeover, in part to reduce waiting times for the growing crowds.

Cedric Yu, who said he hadn’t ridden the tram for years, called it a collective memory for Hong Kong people and part of the city’s history. “Taking the Peak Tram just now reminds me of my childhood memories,” he added.

Passengers pose next to a Peak Tram on June 16, 2021. Hong Kong’s Peak Tram is a fixture of the city, ferrying passengers up Victoria Peak for a bird’s-eye view of the city’s many skyscrapers. Vincent Yu / AP photo

The Peak Tram started operations in 1888, when Hong Kong was a British colony, to transport people up Victoria Peak instead of using sedan chairs. The original carriages were made of varnished timber and seated 30 passengers in three classes.

Since then, the tram has undergone several makeovers. The current fifth-generation Peak Tram, with a burgundy exterior and varnished wood interiors, began running in 1989 and carries 120 passengers.

“The Peak Tram … has evolved and transformed itself from an essential mode of transport to a very popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong,” said May Tsang, general manager of Hong Kong Peak Tramways.

The company is investing over 700 million Hong Kong dollars ($90 million) to upgrade the system, the tram cars and renovate the terminus, she said.

Longer trams cars will boost capacity from 120 passengers to 210.

For Alan Cheung, a former president of the Hong Kong Collectors Society and a Peak Tram enthusiast, the makeover is welcome.

“Anything that can survive for over 100 years – that is not easy,” he said. “They must keep this treasure.”