Xiaohongshu trend sparks tourist influx at Sunset Peak, coinciding with trail running race

A surge of mainland tourists at the popular Sunset Peak hiking trail on Sunday led to crowded conditions, with visitors nearly pressed shoulder-to-shoulder with participants of a trail running race.

The influx has been attributed to trends on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, which encouraged users to recreate the silvergrass landscape featured on Eason Chan Yick-shun's album cover, "Taste of the Atmosphere." 

This trend resulted in a queue of over a hundred tourists stretching several hundred meters.

The congestion coincided with the TransLantau by UTMB event, which had set up a checkpoint at the mountain's base. Event staff repeatedly reminded runners of safety precautions on the narrow trails.

As athletes navigated these constricted paths, they brushed past tourists in close proximity. Fortunately, no incidents were reported, with both groups demonstrating mutual understanding and maintaining order.

As athletes navigated these constricted paths, they brushed past tourists in close proximity, though fortunately, no incidents were reported. Both groups demonstrated mutual understanding, maintaining order throughout the event.

Meanwhile, staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department conducted patrols to monitor for illegal activities such as unauthorized camping.

The "Hong Kong Country Parks" Facebook page also noted that Section 2 of the Lantau Trail would experience heavy foot traffic between 11am and 4pm.

Hikers were advised to remain aware of oncoming traffic while avoiding trampling the silvergrass and carrying out their own litter.

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