Greenpeace urges HK gov’t to cut Po Pin Chau visitor quota after Nat. Day overcrowding

Hong Kong environmental NGO Greenpeace has called on the government to review its ecotourism policies and lower visitor quotas for the popular Sai Kung trail, Po Pin Chau, following a day of overcrowding and damage on the first day of the Golden Week holiday. The group found the trail to be heavily congested on Thursday, which marked China's National Day and the start of a week-long holiday for mainland visitors.

Despite a new reservation system recently put in place, the influx of tourists caused erosion, trampled vegetation, and littering with plastic bottles, tissues, and food waste. Some tourists were even accused of defecating on the natural site. Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), responsible for the country parks, introduced the real-name booking system last month to curb overtourism.

The scheme caps daily entries at 2,000 visitors on weekends and public holidays from September to October 7. On Thursday, around 1,160 people visited the Po Pin Chau trail, but Greenpeace staff noticed many rushed up the mountain before the 9am restriction to avoid the limit. The group urged authorities to reduce the current daily limit of 2,000 reservations, temporarily close damaged sections, or even consider seasonal closures to allow the area to recover.