An environmental group has called for long-term measures to tackle overtourism in Hong Kong's scenic Sai Kung district after the number of tents at campsites reached more than nine times capacity on the second day of Lunar New Year, though authorities say the situation is “under control”. Greenpeace reported counting 585 tents at Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan the previous day, exceeding the 50-tent limit at each site.
Hong Kong's Sai Kung district saw severe overcrowding at Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites during Lunar New Year. Greenpeace said it counted 585 tents across the sites on Wednesday, with 450 at Ham Tin Wan and 135 at Sai Wan, far exceeding the designated 50-tent capacity at each and amounting to more than nine times the limit.
“Our team observed that staff members were making public appeals to tourists at both sites. But damaging deeds, such as lighting campfires illegally and littering, emerged in the evening,” the group said. It noted that such behaviour could have breached the Country Parks Ordinance, yet no law enforcement officers were seen patrolling.
Greenpeace stated that this incident shows authorities' measures—following chaos at Sharp Island during the National Day holiday and at Ham Tin Wan on New Year's Eve—are merely treating symptoms, not the root cause of overtourism. Sharp Island, or Kiu Tsui Chau, in the same district, was overcrowded during mainland China's National Day “golden week” in October, with some visitors accused of damaging coral reefs.
Authorities described the situation as “under control”, but Greenpeace has called for long-term measures to address overtourism in Sai Kung.