Peak light project faces scrutiny amid official briefings
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Authorities are promoting a new light-and-shadow attraction to draw visitors in place of the long-running “A Symphony of Lights”, but installation works along Lugard Road and Harlech Road on The Peak have triggered concern among residents, hikers and some politicians. A lawmaker has written to the government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board urging a careful reassessment and possible termination of the project. In response, the Tourism Commission has in recent days arranged site inspections and briefings for legislators and district councillors, though the controversy has not subsided
Key Points
- The project is intended to use a “light-and-shadow” attraction to replace “A Symphony of Lights” as a tourism draw, with works taking place on Lugard Road and Harlech Road on The Peak
- The Hong Kong Tourism Board previously said it had introduced the project to district councillors in April, countering suggestions that works had proceeded without any consultation
- Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said views can change over time, especially once construction involves civil works that may worsen the on-site experience
- Lawmaker Chan Ka-pei (陳家珮), who had called for the project to be halted, revisited The Peak on Saturday and said technical revisions could not fully remove visual and ecological impacts
- The government plans to brief the Central and Western District Council on the project next month, after criticism that officials only intensified explanations once objections surfaced during construction
Why It Matters
The dispute goes beyond one tourism installation and raises a practical question for Hong Kong: whether every scenic or rural site is suitable for tourism development. It also tests how early and how consistently officials communicate projects that affect conservation-sensitive areas, especially when public concern emerges only after works become visible