The Hong Kong government has officially launched a trial reservation system for the Po Pin Chau trail located in Sai Kung East Country Park. Starting September 5, visitors are required to register using their real names to access the popular coastal route. The system, which went live for bookings on Monday, caps the number of daily hikers at 2,000.

This initiative marks the first time a real-name registration process has been applied to a countryside trail in Hong Kong. The booking platform is being managed through the Klook website and mobile application. Officials state that the primary goal of the cap is to manage visitor numbers and gather data on trail usage.

Local representatives, including a lawmaker and a district councillor, have expressed support for the trial. They argue that the data collected will be instrumental in shaping future formal arrangements for trail management and conservation. While the government frames this as a necessary step for sustainability and crowd control, the move represents a shift toward more regulated access to public natural spaces in the region.