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Hong Kong authorities are exploring the introduction of a real-name reservation system for a popular hiking trail in Sai Kung to curb overtourism.
Sai Kung’s Po Pin Chau. Photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board. Speaking at a Legislative Council (LegCo) panel meeting on Monday, Dianne Wong, under secretary for environment and ecology, said the registration system could prevent excessive arrivals at the Po Pin Chau section at Sai Kung’s East Dam during holidays, allowing better visitor flow management and preventing overcrowding.
Po Pin Chau, located in Hong Kong’s UNESCO Global Geopark, is known for its scenic views and has become a tourist hotspot, especially among mainland Chinese visitors, who flock to the site in large numbers during Golden Week holidays.
On New Year’s Eve, a 21-year-old tourist from Guangzhou fell to his death after falling from a 70-metre cliff into the sea at Po Pin Chau, according to local media.
Wong said on Monday that authorities had been conducting crowd control measures in recent months, such as stopping people from entering the hiking trail at Po Pin Chau when the number of visitors reached capacity.
But having to ask visitors to queue is not ideal for promoting eco-tourism in the city, Wong said, adding that a real-name registration system could limit arrivals and avoid overcrowding during peak hours.
Large crowds of tourists in Hong Kong’s Ham Tin Wan on May 2, 2026, during Labour Day Golden Week holidays. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. “In the future, [tourists] will only come if they have made a booking, which will be better for their own expectation management,” Wong said in Cantonese.
Lawmaker Kitson Yang expressed concern over potential abuses of the registration system, such as people scalping their spots for money or failing to show up.
He suggested that authorities consider drawing lots for the registrations and charging a deposit that would only be returned if the visitors showed up after securing a spot.
Wong said the real-name system should tackle the issue of no-shows as the government would adopt “appropriate measures” for offenders, but added that the government would study the possibility of a ballot.
Sharp Island to be designated as marine park
Speaking at the same LegCo panel on Monday, Fabia Tam, deputy secretary for environment and ecology, said authorities also planned to designate the coral areas located on the east and west sides of Sai Kung’s Sharp Island as a marine park.
The proposed area spans approximately 63 hectares, Tam said.
Under the city’s Marine Parks Ordinance, the designation will strengthen the legal protection of wildlife and the marine ecosystem in the area.
Monday’s proposal comes after excessive tourism caused environmental damage to Sharp Island during China’s National Day Golden Week in October, with some tourists seen trampling on corals and digging up marine life.
Large crowds at Sharp Island, Sai Kung, on October 1, 2025. Photo: Greenpeace.According to a policy briefing submitted to LegCo, the statutory designation process is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Wong said that before the completion of the marine park designation, the government would continue its crowd-managing measures and educational campaign to promote “sea-friendly” behaviours to visitors on Sharp Island.
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