Hong Kong launches real-name booking system for popular Sai Kung coastal trail

Registration has opened for Hong Kong’s first countryside real-name reservation system capping daily visitors to a popular trail in Sai Kung at 2,000, with a lawmaker and a district councillor welcoming the arrangement as an opportunity to gather data to help shape formal arrangements.

The trial reservation system for visits to the Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung East Country Park went live at 11am on Monday, offering the first batch of slots for September 5 and 6 via Klook’s website, app and WeChat mini-programme.

A check by a South China Morning Post reporter on Monday afternoon found that places across all four time slots for both dates at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm were still available, with each permitting a maximum of 500 people.

To complete the booking, users need to submit all participants’ names, telephone numbers and identity documents, including passports, exit-entry permits to Macau and Hong Kong, China resident identity cards and Hong Kong identity cards.

The contact information will also be required, and an e-voucher will be sent via email or can be viewed in Klook’s app or mini-programme after registration.

According to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s (AFCD) website, the reservation system covers weekends between September 5 and 20, the three-day weekend over the Mid-Autumn Festival starting on September 25 and October 1 to 7 – mainland China’s National Day “golden week”.