24th August 2026 – (Hong Kong) The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will introduce a trial reservation system for the Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Reservoir East Dam’s High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung, beginning on 5th September and running through 7th October on weekends, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day Golden Week. The daily visitor cap has been set at 2,000, divided into two-hour slots from 9.00am to 5.00pm, with a maximum of 500 people allowed per session.
Legislative Councillor Chris Ip expressed support for the new scheme, stating on an RTHK radio programme that it should help manage crowd numbers and ensure visitor safety. Citing department head Mickey Lai, he noted that previous holiday peaks saw over 2,000 people at once, suggesting that a 500-person limit per slot should help regulate the flow. Ip nevertheless emphasised that Hong Kong’s reputation as a welcoming destination should be preserved, and stressed the need for balance between tourism and conservation. He further suggested that if a high rate of no-shows is observed, the government could consider implementing a fee or deposit system to discourage this.
Sai Kung District Councillor Chris Cheung Mei-hung meanwhile hopes the system will reserve quotas for local residents as well as include spots for those wishing to book on the day. Cheung added that after the trial, discussions about restricting taxis from entering Sai Kung should become less urgent, given the presence of various villages such as Pak Lap enear the East Dam, and that the wider impact on local communities must be considered.
Reservations must be made in advance on a real-name basis using the Klook platform, either through its website, app, or WeChat mini-program, with each individual able to book up to five places per session. Confirmed visitors will receive a digital voucher, which may be cancelled up to forty-eight hours prior to the reserved timeslot. The system will open for reservations for 5th and 6th September visits at 11.00am on 24th August, with bookings for subsequent weekends and holiday periods available at 11.00am each Monday, enabling visitors to plan ahead.
Some environmental groups have voiced concern that setting the daily quota at 2,000 may still allow too many people, while others argue that overly strict limits would make access difficult for the public. The government is expected to use data gathered during this initial period to review and refine the scheme before a possible full implementation.