Starting next month, authorities will limit daily visitor numbers to 2,000 at a popular coastal section of the Sai Kung East Country Park, marking the city’s first real-name registration and crowd-control initiative for a countryside attraction.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced the new measures for the Po Pin Chau segment of the High Island Geo Trail, an area renowned for its striking hexagonal volcanic rock columns and situated within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. The trail stretches roughly one kilometer and includes a viewing platform overlooking the geological formations.
The reservation requirement will be applied on weekends between September 5 and 20, during the Mid-Autumn Festival three-day holiday starting September 25, and the National Day “golden week” from October 1 to 7, when large visitor surges typically occur. Visitors must book time slots through the platform Klook, with 500 places available for each of four two-hour periods per day. Reservations open at 11 a.m. each Monday and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Access outside the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. window will remain unrestricted without a booking, and walk-in visitors may enter if capacity has not been reached.
AFCD director Mickey Lai Kin-ming cited concerns over the trail’s capacity nearing saturation on busy days and emphasized that the system aims to improve crowd management, protect the environment, and enhance visitor experience. “The primary reason for the arrangement is that we realise there are sudden increases in visitor numbers over holidays, and some of the capacity of certain sections is close to saturation,” he said. Lai also pointed out that the narrow path is vulnerable to excessive wear and tear, and the quota levels would be reviewed further.
Other areas within the High Island Reservoir, including the East Dam and Biu Tsim Kok sections, will remain open without registration.
Visitors must provide real-name registration during the booking process, with identification checked at the trailhead to prevent misuse. Officials acknowledged the possibility of implementing fees or penalties for no-shows in the future but confirmed no charges would apply at present. AFCD officials expressed confidence that technological safeguards on Klook would detect suspicious activities, such as scalping or attempts to reserve slots through VPNs.
To reinforce environmental protection, staff and contractors will be deployed along the trail to remind visitors of proper conduct. Lai highlighted that enforcement actions would be taken if violations, such as littering or damaging natural habitats, are observed.
In recent years, heightened visitor numbers during peak holiday periods have led to environmental degradation, including rubbish accumulation on beaches and damage to coral reefs from snorkeling activities. These issues have prompted debate and calls from experts for a centralized, comprehensive ecotourism management policy to better safeguard sensitive natural areas. The new crowd control measures represent a step by authorities toward balancing public access with conservation priorities at a key natural attraction in Hong Kong.