Hong Kong's Famous Rock Trail Now Requires a Reservation
If you're hiking this trail, you'll need to book ahead — here's why
Hundreds of hikers showed up on Saturday for the first day of a new real-name booking system at Po Pin Chau, part of the High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung, Hong Kong. The trail offers views of striking hexagonal rock columns and has become a popular weekend destination. Under the trial system, visitors must register with their real names in advance, and only 2,000 people are allowed each day between 9am and 5pm.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department set up the system to control crowds and manage the flow of visitors. By 10.10am the first day, about 140 people had arrived — about the same as usual weekends. The department director said verification went smoothly and about 50 unused slots were released to walk-in visitors without reservations.
While the system seems to be working, some visitors are unhappy. A tourist from Beijing said she supports crowd control but finds the rules too rigid. Others called for more flexibility, such as allowing last-minute bookings or fewer name-check steps. The government says this is a trial and could adjust the system based on feedback.
For now, anyone wanting to visit Po Pin Chau should plan ahead and book a slot. This is Hong Kong's first reservation system for a countryside site, which could set a precedent for other popular natural areas facing overcrowding.
- The Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung now requires real-name reservation, capping visitors at 2,000 per day.
- On launch day, about 140 visitors arrived by mid-morning, with unused spots released to walk-ins.
- Some visitors say the rules are too strict and want more flexibility in the booking system.
Why It Matters
If you want to see this natural wonder, you must book ahead — and similar systems may come to other crowded trails.