Tai Mo Shan Tourism — Has Hong Kong Thought It Through?

I’m all for tourism and showcasing Hong Kong’s spectacular countryside, I’ve written about it often but has anyone truly thought through how to make tourism at Tai Mo Shan safe, enjoyable and sustainable?

Let’s start with some questions:

Have all our tourism officials actually hiked up Tai Mo Shan? (I have)

Have they cycled up? (I have)

Have they driven the narrow, winding road to the barrier gate where there’s space for about 12 cars? (I have)

It’s a stunning route but absolutely not suitable for mass transit. The road is tight, there’s minimal parking and congestion is a serious concern.

Now, what about safety and infrastructure?

How are large numbers of visitors going to hydrate on the way up (and down)?

There’s just a small kiosk at the carpark.

Toilets? Trash bins? Emergency access? Almost none at the moment. And once you get to the top (if you even can)? No services, no viewing platform, no food, no water, nothing but potential risk.

So what can we do?

Here’s where the “CAN DO” mindset comes in.

Let’s follow successful models, like Doi Inthanon in Thailand.
Visitors can pass a checkpoint, take a electric shuttle to the top. It’s efficient, safe and accessible to all ages and abilities.

Why not do the same here?

Introduce electric shuttle fleets or golf buggy services from the lower (bigger) carpark.

Create a barrier system for controlled, ticketed entry unless you’re walking or cycling up.

Establish meaningful “destination value” at the top — a lookout, café, or even a “Top of the World” restaurant with jaw-dropping views.

Imagine a high quality licensed operator (preferably several, no monopolies please) creating a world-class summit experience. I know F&B clients who would queue up to run it.

Let’s also unlock all those unused buildings and fenced-off spaces near the peak. They’re full of potential.

And don’t forget the cyclists. Please don’t shut them out. Instead, pilot a program: issue 1,000 free permits on a “use it or lose it” basis for serious cyclists, athletes, and nature lovers. Measure the response and build from there.

I’m totally available to the Government anytime. Call me, I’ll put my energy where my mouth is and my experience and passion to work to help open up Hong Kong’s incredible countryside and turn it into a world-class asset for locals and tourists alike. I’ll advocate tirelessly for Hong Kong as I do here on LinkedIn.

But please don’t let this become another bureaucratic dead-end. Don’t hand it over to desk-bound naysayers who live by the word “cannot.”

Hong Kong can do so many things really well.

Let’s get on with doing them.

If you need specific input regarding a strategic HK challenge or related legal matters in the HKSAR you can always DM me and check out https://www.ajhalkes.com.

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