With holiday hikers flocking to High Island Reservoir East Dam, police and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) officers have deployed additional personnel to ensure a smooth experience during the festive period.
Against the scenic backdrop, officers were spotted conducting routine patrols along the popular trail, keeping a watchful eye on the crowds. Notably, only a handful of visitors were seen climbing onto rocky shores or stepping past barriers, while litter along the route remained minimal.
A family from Dongguan said they arrived in Hong Kong yesterday for the holiday after seeing the East Dam's stunning landscape on social media. They highlighted that hiking to high ground for good luck is a cherished New Year tradition, adding that they are staying in the city for three days.
After spending a day in Tsim Sha Tsui and watching the fireworks display yesterday, they anticipated spending tens of thousands of dollars on the hotel and other expenses for the trip.
Another visitor from Shenzhen, who came with friends for a day trip, revealed that the break was a rare chance to escape from busy work.
"Holiday is the only time I can go hiking," he said, praising the beautiful scenery and smooth traffic.
Several local hikers also seized the opportunity to spend the day on the MacLehose Trail, walking from Pak Tam Chung to the East Dam. Although there were plenty of taxis along the route, they reported an orderly situation as they walked.
The Transport Department reported that traffic on Wan Yi Road, which leads to the East Dam, was heavy, adding that the enhanced service on green minibus route 9A is in place to meet passenger demand.
In an earlier statement, the AFCD announced that crowd management measures would be implemented at the entrance of the Po Pin Chau section if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
According to the AFCD's real-time monitoring, the visitor flow on East Dam reached a "busy" level -- around 400 to 999 people -- as of 12pm.
