The Economic Times

In 1888, Hong Kong opened a cable railway up Victoria Peak after sedan chairs made the steep climb slow and difficult; the Peak Tram still carries visitors up the mountain

The iconic Peak Tram of Hong Kong, which began operations in 1888, creates a mesmerizing optical illusion as it climbs the steep mountain slopes. Before its arrival, locals relied on sedan chairs to tackle the difficult ascent. As Asia's very first funicular system, it transformed transportation and mirrored the social divide of colonial times.