On Sunday, crowds of tourists in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui vaulted safety barriers and dodged traffic to photograph the Peninsula Hotel’s Christmas decorations, raising safety concerns. Mainly mainland Chinese visitors swarmed the pavements, leaving little space for pedestrians. Some entered a makeshift enclosure perilously close to vehicles.
Hong Kong’s famed Peninsula Hotel, traditionally draped in elaborate Christmas decorations weeks ahead of the holiday, once again drew crowds on Sunday. A South China Morning Post reporter observed throngs of tourists, mainly mainland Chinese visitors, swamping the pavements of Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui for a clear view of the hotel’s distinctive facade.
The festive spirit turned reckless as visitors stood on the edge of the traffic island across from the hotel, posing for photos and leaving scant space for pedestrians to cross. To capture better angles, dozens climbed over the island’s railings and entered a triangular-shaped makeshift enclosure marked only by orange tape, the sole barrier from passing vehicles.
Some skirted the island’s edge before ducking under the sagging tape, while others sneaked through a small gap between a traffic light pole and the railing. It remains unclear who cordoned off the zone or why. Inside, tourists stood on the kerb’s edge, leaning against the vehicle barrier for shots.
Some insisted it felt safe to pose there for photos, while others denied entering the area when questioned. This incident highlights safety risks at popular tourist spots during the holidays, where the allure of decorations tempts visitors into peril.
