Hong Kong's Ham Tin Wan campsite faces overcrowding during Labour Day holiday
Unlicensed tour groups and hundreds of visitors overwhelm facilities at popular Sai Kung beach
Quick Look
Hundreds of visitors, including unlicensed tour groups, packed the Ham Tin Wan campsite in Sai Kung during the Labour Day 'golden week', leading to facility congestion and sanitation issues.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ham Tin Wan is a popular beach and camping destination in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
Members of unlicensed hiking tours were among the hundreds of visitors who packed into Hong Kong’s Ham Tin Wan campsite on the second of mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” break.
The sink at the scenic Sai Kung hotspot’s only public bathroom was left clogged by food scraps after some visitors opted for hotpot, among other options.
On Saturday evening, a South China Morning Post reporter estimated there were about 500 tents at the campsite.
According to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the site is categorised as “large” – meaning it can hold more than 50 four-person tents. The department does not list an upper limit for the site’s capacity.
The SCMP reporter also observed large groups of hikers arriving at the beach by late afternoon, including members of an unlicensed tour group whose guides prepared dinner using ingredients brought across the border in Shenzhen.
Some members of the 30-person group said their guides had packed sausages, other raw meat, vegetables and even a watermelon for dessert.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Increased monitoring of the site by AFCD staff during future holiday periods.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will the AFCD implement stricter regulations or capacity limits following this incident?
- Are there legal consequences for the unlicensed tour operators involved?
