Island seafront trail 80pc linked

Cheng Wong

Eighty percent of the roughly 60-kilometer "Round-the-Island Trail" on Hong Kong Island has been linked, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said.

The project, announced in the 2022 Policy Address, will connect the waterfront promenades on the northern shore and several existing promenades and countryside walking trails in the Southern District to improve the city's livability, Linn noted in her blog yesterday.

She said the Civil Engineering and Development Department had been implementing the project in phases since 2023, aiming to connect 90 percent of the trail by the end of 2027 and substantially complete the remaining work by the end of 2031.

Linn said the trail will feature augmented reality trail signage, allowing visitors to scan and access the latest project information, route suggestions, highlights and transportation details. This would enable a customized exploration of Hong Kong Island's beauty, history and culture based on user preference.

She added that selfie stations, rest areas, and benches will be installed along the trail to provide convenient photo opportunities and places for visitors to relax.

Ricky Tang Lai-yin, senior engineer of the Development Bureau, said this year will see the gradual connection of the eastern section of the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point, the trail from South Bay Beach to the Chung Hom Kok service reservoir, the trail from Cape D'Aguilar Road to Shek O Beach, and the improved waterfront promenades and walking trails.

Tang said this is expected to promote the creation of a livable city and support green tourism, fully implementing the concept of "tourism is everywhere" in Hong Kong.

Another CEDD senior engineer, Esther Lou Ching-yee, noted that the overall design of the trail revolves around three main concepts, namely "people-centered and community-inclusive," "historical culture and Hong Kong characteristics," and "development and conservation."

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com