Sunset Peak swarmed by visitors as golden silvergrass blooms

Sunset Peak, or Tai Tung Shan, on Lantau Island is attracting massive crowds of mainland tourists during its silvergrass season, with web users comparing the scenes to the Long March or a crowded marketplace.

As Hong Kong’s third-highest peak, Sunset Peak is transformed each November when its silvergrass reaches full bloom, covering the slopes in a golden sea.

This stunning display, combined with a relatively accessible trail suitable for beginners, draws large numbers of hiking enthusiasts.

A recent post on Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, shows the mountain teeming with people, as hundreds were seen snaking in lines up and down the path.

The post quickly sparked a heated online debate with mixed reactions. Some online users expressed alarm, labeling the situation an “ecological disaster,” voicing concerns that “the silvergrass won't last long with so many people.”

Others, however, saw the influx as a testament to the appeal of Hong Kong’s natural landscapes.