The tram climbs 396 metres in just 7 minutes. That is nearly as tall as the Eiffel Tower! The track is so steep that when you sit inside, you look forward and the whole world seems to tilt sideways. The buildings outside look as if they are leaning over.
At the top, on Victoria Peak, you can look out over the whole city - the harbour, the towers, the islands beyond, and on a clear day even the mountains of the Chinese mainland in the far distance. On misty days the peak pokes above the clouds, and the view is still magical.
In 1888, the tram was pulled by a steam engine. Today it runs on electric motors. Over the years, many millions of people have ridden it. Locals use it to get home (many people live partway up the hill), and visitors come especially for the famous view.
The journey up is part of the fun. You sit in a red-and-white car that leans on the slope, and the track ahead looks nearly vertical. Buildings and trees flash past tilted at odd angles. It only takes a few minutes, but it feels like you have gone to a completely different world.