Large Number of Mainland Tourists Expected in Hong Kong for May Day Holiday, 'Check-in Photo' Risks Draw Concern
The Hong Kong government anticipates 6 million arrivals and departures during China's May Day holiday, with concerns rising over dangerous 'check-in photo' practices by mainland tourists. Past incidents include fatalities, prompting government surveillance and warnings.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 11:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 11:31 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 12:24 (52 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chien, Hong Kong 28th) China's "May Day" Labor Day holiday is approaching. The Hong Kong government estimates that 6 million people will enter and exit Hong Kong during this period, including a considerable number of mainland Chinese tourists. In recent years, the phenomenon of mainland tourists taking life-threatening photos for "check-in" (打卡) has drawn much attention in Hong Kong society.
This year's Chinese Labor Day holiday is from May 1st to 5th. As per usual practice, a large number of mainland tourists are expected to visit Hong Kong. Earlier, tourism industry insiders also stated that the outbreak of the Iran war has affected flights in the Middle East and the region, and some mainland tourists might change their travel plans to Hong Kong as a result.
To cope with this year's May Day holiday Golden Week, the Hong Kong government has established an inter-departmental task force for holiday arrangements. Led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, it is responsible for coordinating and supervising the preparedness of various government departments to receive visitors to Hong Kong.
According to information released by the task force yesterday, the Immigration Department expects approximately 6 million person-times (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) to enter and exit Hong Kong via sea, land, and air control points during the Golden Week, with about 5 million person-times entering and exiting Hong Kong and mainland China via various land boundary control points.
It was announced that the Immigration Department, in conjunction with the Police Force, Customs, and railway companies, will establish a joint command center at Lo Wu Control Point and maintain close liaison with mainland departments such as the Shenzhen Border Inspection General Station. Diversion and crowd management measures will be taken when necessary to ensure smooth cross-border flow.
In response to the large number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Hong, the Government Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) stated that drones will be deployed over Sharp Island (Kiu Tsui Chau) in Sai Kung to monitor and prevent damage to the marine ecosystem.
In the past two to three years, mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong have increasingly favored "in-depth tours." They visit mountainous areas in the New Territories, Sai Kung coast, and outlying islands. Occasionally, some collect marine organisms or step on corals, destroying the natural ecosystem, which has drawn considerable attention after public complaints from environmental groups.
Therefore, during this year's May Day Golden Week, the AFCD will implement several measures to strengthen surveillance at popular attractions, including increasing patrol staff and using drones for regular monitoring of visitor activities and coastal conditions.
Furthermore, Hong Kong society is increasingly concerned about the risks of mainland tourists taking "check-in" photos in Hong Kong. In recent years, there have been multiple instances of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong falling to their deaths or being injured while taking "check-in" photos.
On December 31st last year, a 21-year-old mainland tourist surnamed Huang, while hiking with three classmates in Po Pin Chau, Sai Kung, risked his life to take photos on a cliff in the area, resulting in him falling 70 meters from the cliff into the sea and dying. Recently, a 46-year-old mainland woman also fell from a height while taking photos at the Fat Tong Chau Lighthouse in Tung Lung Chau, but was fortunately rescued by a nearby fishing boat.
Regarding the risky behavior of mainland tourists for "check-in" photos, some Legislative Council members recently called on tourists to act within their capabilities, not to take risks, and to be self-respecting, to avoid wasting other people's time and money. (Edited by Chou Hui-ying) 1150428
This year's Chinese Labor Day holiday is from May 1st to 5th. As per usual practice, a large number of mainland tourists are expected to visit Hong Kong. Earlier, tourism industry insiders also stated that the outbreak of the Iran war has affected flights in the Middle East and the region, and some mainland tourists might change their travel plans to Hong Kong as a result.
To cope with this year's May Day holiday Golden Week, the Hong Kong government has established an inter-departmental task force for holiday arrangements. Led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, it is responsible for coordinating and supervising the preparedness of various government departments to receive visitors to Hong Kong.
According to information released by the task force yesterday, the Immigration Department expects approximately 6 million person-times (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) to enter and exit Hong Kong via sea, land, and air control points during the Golden Week, with about 5 million person-times entering and exiting Hong Kong and mainland China via various land boundary control points.
It was announced that the Immigration Department, in conjunction with the Police Force, Customs, and railway companies, will establish a joint command center at Lo Wu Control Point and maintain close liaison with mainland departments such as the Shenzhen Border Inspection General Station. Diversion and crowd management measures will be taken when necessary to ensure smooth cross-border flow.
In response to the large number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Hong, the Government Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) stated that drones will be deployed over Sharp Island (Kiu Tsui Chau) in Sai Kung to monitor and prevent damage to the marine ecosystem.
In the past two to three years, mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong have increasingly favored "in-depth tours." They visit mountainous areas in the New Territories, Sai Kung coast, and outlying islands. Occasionally, some collect marine organisms or step on corals, destroying the natural ecosystem, which has drawn considerable attention after public complaints from environmental groups.
Therefore, during this year's May Day Golden Week, the AFCD will implement several measures to strengthen surveillance at popular attractions, including increasing patrol staff and using drones for regular monitoring of visitor activities and coastal conditions.
Furthermore, Hong Kong society is increasingly concerned about the risks of mainland tourists taking "check-in" photos in Hong Kong. In recent years, there have been multiple instances of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong falling to their deaths or being injured while taking "check-in" photos.
On December 31st last year, a 21-year-old mainland tourist surnamed Huang, while hiking with three classmates in Po Pin Chau, Sai Kung, risked his life to take photos on a cliff in the area, resulting in him falling 70 meters from the cliff into the sea and dying. Recently, a 46-year-old mainland woman also fell from a height while taking photos at the Fat Tong Chau Lighthouse in Tung Lung Chau, but was fortunately rescued by a nearby fishing boat.
Regarding the risky behavior of mainland tourists for "check-in" photos, some Legislative Council members recently called on tourists to act within their capabilities, not to take risks, and to be self-respecting, to avoid wasting other people's time and money. (Edited by Chou Hui-ying) 1150428