Stubbs Road Lookout in Hong Kong - not so stunning views
Not to be confused with the viewpoints at Victoria Peak
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
I have personally completed 2,340+ Private Tours and Experiences (over 6,000+ guests) since April 2011 and I am considered one of the finest Private Tour Guides in Asia.
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The Stubbs Road Lookout in Hong Kong - not so stunning views
Not to be confused with the amazing viewpoints at Victoria Peak
click on the image to enlarge
A long standing tourism problem rears its ugly head again at the Stubbs Road Lookout in the Peak District on Hong Kong Island
When I put up my first Private Tour Website in mid 2010 after fully 6 months of research I did not have high expectations - for a long time (over 60 years) foreign tourists had basically one option for a tour of Hong Kong and that was a mini bus tour with a small cartel of operators divvying up the spoils and you generally booked it at the Hotel Tour desk or your Travel Agency booked it with a local operator. I have also been on them back in 1972 and a few times since 2010
For Mainland Chinese Tourists, well they really started flocking to Hong Kong after 2003 and by 2010 their numbers dwarfed those of foreign tourists and for them they also pretty much had one option which was a cheap coach tour which included forced shopping, although the Government has cracked down in the past decade, not much has changed.
In a nutshell the problem seems to be specific to Mainland Chinese Tourists many of them knowing almost nothing about Hong Kong and so are perfect targets for exploitation, foreign tourists tend to a bit of research and are familiar with all the major sites, so less easy to exploit.
Yes, I am getting to the issue which revolves around a viewing platform on Hong Kong Island called The Stubbs Road Lookout, I took the image above in January 2025.
In a nutshell and going back well over 15 years or more unscrupulous tour agencies have been passing of the Stubbs Road Lookout as the “view from Victoria Peak”
I simply cannot comprehend why a tour agency would do that, The views from Victoria Peak are stunning and this viewpoint is a good 15 - 20 minute drive away from Victoria Peak and that attraction so to speak gets 7 - 10 million visitors a year at least.
The only thing I can think of as to why they do this is simply to save time and avoid the crowds at Victoria Peak and the extra time probably means more forced shopping for the blissfully unaware Mainland Chinese Tourists.
The Mainland Chinese Tourists are much maligned but they do not deserve this treatment, when they come here, they are like kids in a candy store and are in a state of awe and wonder when they come to one of the great cities in the world and they absolutely need to see the World Class Views from Victoria Peak and not from this pale imitation called the Stubbs Road Lookout.
One of the big problems with the Stubbs Road Lookout is that the view is NOT in any shape or form a great view, you are simply NOT high enough, there is very little information on the elevation, I am guessing 200 - 250m above sea level, contrast that with the Victoria Peak Views being at an elevation of 428m above sea level
I went there recently and they had a major issue (which has always been an issue) of trees and bushes blocking the view!
So all in all, it is NOT a great experience
There are only 11 reviews for the Stubbs Road Lookout vs 36,330+ for Victoria Peak which highlights that virtually no foreign tourists go there, only Mainland Chinese tourists and significant numbers of them
Anyway please note below more details about this subject and some history and background about the Lookout.
History of Stubbs Road Lookout Viewing Platform
The Stubbs Road Lookout, located in the Mid-Levels East of Hong Kong Island, is a scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong and Kowloon skylines, and landmarks like the Happy Valley Racecourse. (and be aware that quite often the views are hard to see because of large trees and bushes blocking the view)
The road and lookout are named after Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs, the 16th Governor of Hong Kong (1919–1925), reflecting its colonial-era origins. Stubbs Road was developed as part of Hong Kong’s urban expansion to improve transportation and accessibility on the island, connecting Happy Valley to The Peak area near Wong Nai Chung Gap.
The lookout itself was strategically positioned to capitalize on its elevated vantage point, providing unobstructed views of the city and harbour
Historically, the lookout served practical purposes beyond tourism. During World War II, its elevated position made it a tactical observation point for British and Japanese forces monitoring naval activities in Victoria Harbour. Over time, the site evolved into a public viewpoint, with modern amenities like seating areas, circular benches with covers, informational plaques identifying skyline buildings, and safety railings added to accommodate growing numbers of visitors. These upgrades have maintained its historical charm while enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. (it does not matter how much you spin the story, it is simply not a place I would take anyone to!)
The lookout is part of Hong Kong’s heritage conservation efforts, with government and community initiatives focused on preserving its historical and cultural significance. Clean-up drives, educational tours, and cultural events help maintain the site as a cherished landmark. Its proximity to other attractions, such as the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and the Bowen Road Fitness Trail, further enhances its appeal. (I have no idea why they mention the Hong Kong Zoologiical and Botanical Garden, it is easily a one hour walk away assuming you can find your way!)
click on the image to enlarge
Not so great views at the Stubbs Road Lookout, it is in the wrong location and there are too many trees blocking the views
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… and this is just half of the greatest panoramic city view in the world that they miss out on - this is the view from the Lugard Road Lookout at Victoria Peak, you simply cannot compare the view from the Stubbs Road Lookout to this view.
Concerns About Misinformation for Mainland Chinese Tourists
There are concerns that some Mainland Chinese tourists may be misled by tour operators or guides who present Stubbs Road Lookout as Victoria Peak, the more famous and iconic viewpoint on Hong Kong Island.
While Stubbs Road Lookout is technically within the broader Peak area, it is distinct from the traditional Victoria Peak viewing platforms, such as those at the Peak Tower, Peak Galleria, or Lugard Road Lookout, which are located approximately 15–20 minutes away by car. Victoria Peak, at 552 meters, is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and attracts over seven to ten million visitors annually, offering unparalleled views and well-known attractions like the Peak Tram and the Peak Tower Sky Terrace 428.
The confusion arises for several reasons:
Geographical Proximity:
Stubbs Road Lookout is located on the slopes of the Peak area, making it plausible for less-informed visitors to accept it as "The Peak." Its views of Victoria Harbour and the skyline are impressive, though they differ from the more expansive and iconic vistas from Victoria Peak’s primary platforms.(the understatement of the century!)
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Bus Loads of Mainland Chinese Tourists taken to the wrong place daily on cheap coach tours in Hong Kong
Tour Operator Practices:
Some tour operators, particularly those catering to Mainland Chinese tourists, may prioritize convenience or cost-saving by directing groups to Stubbs Road Lookout, which is less crowded and more accessible by bus or taxi than the often-congested Peak Tram or main Peak area. Reviews suggest that the lookout sees fewer tourists, with only occasional tourist buses stopping briefly, which may appeal to operators managing large groups.Lack of Awareness: (there is a continuous stream of tour coaches going there all day)
Many tourists, especially those unfamiliar with Hong Kong’s geography, may not realize the distinction between Stubbs Road Lookout and Victoria Peak. Informational plaques at Stubbs Road identify skyline buildings, but they may not clarify the site’s distinct identity, potentially allowing guides to misrepresent it.
While there is no direct evidence from the provided sources of widespread complaints about this specific misinformation, anecdotal reviews hint at dissatisfaction when expectations of visiting "The Peak" are not met.
For example, some Tripadvisor reviews express disappointment with Stubbs Road Lookout, suggesting visitors go to Victoria Peak for the "beautiful skyline" and implying that the lookout’s views, while nice, do not match the iconic experience of The Peak.
The presence of dedicated attendants or security staff at Stubbs Road may help manage visitor flow but does not address potential misinformation by guides.
A few last comments from me.
There is no doubt in my mind that shady tour operators are still doing this in 2025 and it has been going on for at least 15 years, the Government is aware of the issue as there have been press articles about traffic congestion on Stubbs Road caused by loads of tourist coaches and quite often there will be crowd control methods in place.
Now, you might say that the tour operators can choose and promote the tour itinerary anyway they want, this is true but no professional tour agency in their right mind would include a stop at the Stubbs Road Lookout, for the view you go to Victoria Peak and that is that.
If you find yourself there then admire the view (actually you can see the view quite nicely from the upper deck of the no. 15 bus from Central to Victoria Peak) but you must go to Victoria Peak
The shady tour operators who go to the Stubbs Road Lookout will NOT change their deceptive practices which is a real shame for many thousands of Mainland Chinese Tourists who deserve better than being taken for mugs.
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
© Jamie Lloyd | J3 Consultants Hong Kong | J3 Private Tours Hong Kong |
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