In recent years, many mainland Chinese tourists have shown a preference for visiting and “checking in” at the University of Hong Kong, which has drawn criticism from the campus community for disrupting normal operations. Consequently, since last Wednesday (1st), HKU has implemented measures to control the flow of tourists. Visitors must register in advance from Monday to Saturday to enter the campus, while no registration is required on Sundays. Our reporter visited the HKU campus on the 5th and encountered mainland tourists who expressed their desire to experience the campus atmosphere but indicated that they had no specific spending plans for Hong Kong.
According to the regulations announced by HKU last month, visitors wishing to tour the campus between 8:00 am and 6:30 pm from Monday to Saturday must register in advance on the HKU online platform using their real names and email addresses. Each visit is limited to a two-hour time slot with a cap on the number of visitors. Outside of these designated times, visitors are free to explore the campus without prior reservation. Visitors on public holidays also do not need to pre-book. Upon successful registration, visitors receive a QR code for entry and must enter and exit the HKU campus at specified locations.
During our visit to the HKU campus today, we observed numerous visitors of all ages, including children, young people, and even the elderly, some of whom were seen dragging luggage. Notices in the cafeteria stated that only students, faculty, and relevant personnel are allowed to use the facilities, and entry by tourists is prohibited.
Two first-time visitors from Yunnan interviewed expressed their wish to experience the learning culture of HKU. Having previously researched information online, they were aware of HKU’s reputation compared to universities in mainland China. Upon touring the campus, they noted significant differences, such as HKU’s openness and the absence of walls surrounding the campus. They chose to visit today knowing that no advance reservation was required on public holidays. They also mentioned their positive impressions of Hong Kong and planned to spend around 1,000 yuan shopping, with accommodation costing over 200 yuan per night in a Hong Kong hotel.
Two other female tourists from Shanghai, who were in Hong Kong for three days, shared their experiences of trying local delicacies in Mong Kok and Central, as well as enjoying the seaside views. They emphasized that their travel was not merely for leisure but to immerse themselves in Hong Kong’s lifestyle, including the campus atmosphere at HKU. Unaware of the tourist control measures on weekdays at HKU, they felt fortunate to have visited today and agreed with the restrictions to prevent undue pressure on the university.
One of the women, a frequent visitor to Hong Kong, suggested enhancing the scale and duration of the May 1st fireworks display and remarked that Tokyo’s fireworks were more spectacular. She admitted that she would not visit Hong Kong solely for fireworks viewing in the future unless there was a special theme. Regarding their current trip, they emphasized relaxation and experiencing Hong Kong life rather than shopping, mentioning that they would spend money if they were in a good mood but did not set a specific budget for Hong Kong as similar products are available in mainland China.