Hong Kong scraps lighting attraction at The Peak after public outcry

Hong Kong authorities have scrapped a controversial plan to install decorative lights along a scenic trail on The Peak to increase the city’s nighttime tourism appeal following a public outcry, promising to restore the natural landscape as soon as possible.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Tourism Board concluded there was no urgent need to roll out the project after assessing the effectiveness of a watered-down version of the attraction, according to documents they submitted to the Central and Western district council and seen by the South China Morning Post on Thursday.

Following criticism from local residents and some lawmakers, authorities swiftly revised the plan by reducing light installations from 10 locations to seven, cutting down the number of lights hanging from trees from 52 to 24, removing some light equipment and shortening the display to the end of February next year.

The documents said the revised plan still did not necessarily ease concerns despite the assessment of authorities.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said on Thursday night: “There is no urgency for the project. We will not proceed now.”

The Tourism Board originally planned small light installations for selected points along the walking trail near Lugard Road and Harlech Road to add to the attraction of The Peak.

The installations featured a soft, low-glare lighting design and were scheduled to operate from 7pm to 10pm on a 12-month trial basis, according to the board.