Madame Tussauds @ The Peak Tower in Hong Kong

A DIY Hong Kong Tour can be exhausting yet extremely fulfilling. For those four days we spent in HK, we felt like locals caught in the crossfire of raging city life. However, our next destination proved to be a difficult one. It required us not just to ride a taxi but also to take the ferry and the bus.

After much research, we got on the Star Ferry, which took us from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, where The Peak Tower is located.

It was my toddler's first ferry ride, and he was wide-eyed with amazement for the next 15 minutes. Some foreigners were with us on that short and sweet ride. I wondered if they, too, were headed to The Peak.

It was a glorious sunny day filled with wondrous possibilities.

Just a few meters away was the bus stop geared for The Peak. Thank goodness there weren't that many commuters that day.   

That's the Peak Tram Station alright...

As expected, many foreigners were heading to where we were going. We waited for almost half an hour for that elusive bus.

The wait was totally worth it, especially when we saw the booth.  

We bought our ticket for HKD 175 or PHP 995 per head...

...and a Guidebook for HKD 30 or around PHP 200.

We were greeted by the Peak Tram Historical Gallery, which chronicled over 120 years of tramway excellence.

Just being there got me all giddy with excitement.

Imagine all the history surrounding this place. After all, the Peak Tram signifies Hong Kong's sparkling past and enduring legacy.

This particular tramcar, though, was modernized in 1989 to accommodate 120 passengers. Since the Peak Tram is 396 meters, or about 1,300 feet high, all the structures we passed by were leaning during our journey.

Despite looking haggard, I was still ecstatic when we reached our destination.

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is a favorite attraction at the Peak Tower. It features over 100 local and international wax figures, amazing audiovisual effects, and interactive add-ons. The attraction is located at P101 or Level P1 and is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM.

No one stopped us from pursuing our favorite stars. How great was that? Indeed, we had a glimmer of what it would be like to see the most interesting personalities in history up close. Here are some of the wax figures we managed to get our photos taken with. 

Bruce Lee (1940-1973) as portrayed in 2001. Considered to be the most popular Asian action star in history, Lee died very young at the age of 33 from cerebral edema just a few days before the premiere of his most popular film of all, Enter the Dragon.

Barack H. Obama II as portrayed in 2009. Sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on January 20, 2009, amid joyful celebrations never before seen in US History.

The museum was filled with interactive experiences, such as this podium bearing the seal of the President of the United States.

Brangelina is a pet name for stars Brad Pitt (portrayed in 1997) and Angelina Jolie (portrayed in 2007). Considered a power couple in Hollywood, both are known not only for their popularity but also for their philanthropic works. Pitt, an undeniable heartthrob, got his first Oscar nod for Best Actor in the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. On the other hand, Jolie replaced Oprah Winfrey as the most influential celebrity in 2009, according to Forbes Magazine, thanks to a string of cross-cultural adoptions and philanthropic involvements. Even without a publicist, she single-handedly cleaned up her reputation as the third party in the publicized separation and ultimate divorce between Pitt and well-loved Friends' star Jennifer Aniston in 2003.

Leonardo DiCaprio continues to make his mark as one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. His role in the box-office phenomenon Titanic catapulted him to superstardom overnight.

This photo was taken with A-lister Nicole Kidman, as portrayed here in 2009. Before, she was just known as Tom Cruise's other half. Now, her accolades and humanitarian work have made her one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962). Do blondes really have more fun? Although her movies glamorized this line of thinking, her tragic death in 1962 debunked the thought entirely. Still, Monroe is considered one of the most fascinating actresses in Hollywood history.

Madonna, as portrayed in 1990. Her legend precedes her in the same manner that lightning comes before thunder. Her albums and music videos continue to influence artists 30 years her junior, which helped solidify her iconic status around the globe.  

Michelle Yeoh, as portrayed from a sitting in Hong Kong in 2000. Of Malaysian descent, Yeoh is considered to be one of the highest-paid female action stars in the world, thanks to hits such as the Bond Movie Tomorrow Never Dies and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. 

Chiling Lin as portrayed in 2009. Considered to be Taiwan's most famous supermodel, Chiling is seen here as Xiao Qiao in the epic film Red Cliff. 

Bae Yong Joon, as portrayed from a sitting in Seoul, South Korea, in 2006. He is considered one of his generation's most popular actors, with a solid fan base not only in his native Korea but also in Japan. Through the Korean drama Winter Sonata, Bae rose to meteoric stardom, earning him not only a throng of Asian followers but also several high-profile endorsements. 

Aaron Kwok as portrayed from a sitting in Hong Kong in 2006. Considered one of the Four Kings of Cantopop, Kwok has performed in sold-out concerts and garnered numerous awards and accolades for his memorable songs and cool dance moves.

Nicolas Cage is a popular American actor, producer, and director who has appeared in over 60 films. He got his first Oscar for Best Actor for the movie Leaving Las Vegas opposite Elizabeth Shue. 

Princess Diana (1961-1997). Portrayed from a sitting at Kensington Palace, London, England in 1996. A well-loved royal not only for her marriage to the first in line to England's throne but also for her fashion sense, candor, and humanitarian efforts. In a sad twist of fate, her fairy tale marriage ended in December 1992. Her tragic death sparked public uproar against the paparazzi in general for a couple of years. A decade after her death, her admirers worldwide regard her as the people's Princess by immortalizing her in films, books, and documentaries.

The Royal Family. (Left to Right). Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is portrayed sitting at Buckingham Palace, London, England, 1994. His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh as portrayed from a sitting in 1992. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal as portrayed in 1994.

Ip Man or Yip Kai-Man (1893-1972).  Yip is referred to as the first martial arts master to teach Wing Chun to several students, including famous actor Bruce Lee. He used his skills to help defend his country against the invading Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese War between 1937 and 1945. 

Elvis Presley (1935-1977). His iconic status has earned him the title "King of Rock' n' Roll" for decades. His distinct music continues to make a mark among the younger generation worldwide.

The Beatles as portrayed in 1997. These four talented artists from Liverpool, England, created a global pandemonium between the 1960s and early 1970s. Their sold-out concerts and string of hits earned them the title "Most Iconic Entertainers of the 20th Century" as presented by the American entertainment industry magazine "Variety."

Michael Jackson (1958-2009). His undeniable musical ingenuity has produced a plethora of works that have become the benchmark for present-day recording artists. Considered to be the "King of Pop," his 1982 Thriller album remains the world's best-selling album of all time.

Tiger Woods, as portrayed in 2006, was a child prodigy at best who changed the course of golf for the next decade or so. Despite the scandal that threatened to obliterate his legacy, Woods proved determined to clean his image and aspire for more glory far beyond that which he has already received: four Masters, two US Open Titles, and two PGA Championships.

Liu Xiang as portrayed in 2006. He is considered the "King of Hurdles" in the track and field world. His rise to fame started when he won the Olympic Gold Medal for the 110-meter hurdles in Athens in 2004. In an unfortunate accident, he could not compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics to the disappointment of millions of Chinese fans.   

Chiyonofuji Mitsugu is portrayed sitting in London, England, in 1991. He is a well-loved Sumo wrestler known for his bestial fury despite his somewhat inadequate height. In his 21-year career, he has won 31 Grand Sumo Tournaments, earning him the respect of his colleagues and the position of head of the Kokonoe-beya, an association of wrestlers upon his retirement.

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) as portrayed in 1964. He was the first American boxer to garner three world heavyweight championship titles. His battle against Parkinson's disease inspired him to lobby for a cure not only for himself but also for other patients. Surely, his sparkling feats will forever be imprinted in the hearts of boxing fans and critics around the globe.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955). The acclaimed German-born American physicist was named Time Magazine's Man of the Century in 2000. His specific and general theories of relativity precipitated the modern atomic bomb (H-bomb), which changed the world's military landscape forever.

What can I say? Astro Boy is clearly the prototype of the now-famous anime characters that have gripped the interest of manga fans across Asia for the past 30 years or so.  

No one can deny that almost all of the wax figures can pass for the real thing. You'll be interested to know that the artists' secrets in making these lifelike wax figures are revealed in a brochure available at the ticket booth. Don't forget to purchase a copy before entering the museum.

*  To help navigate your way to The Peak, here's a scan taken from The Peak brochure.

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong

Website: https://www.madametussauds.com/hong-kong/en/

Opening Hours:
10 AM to 10 PM daily
Tel: (852) 2849-6966
Location:
The Peak Tower

P101, Level P1