The festive spirit turned into reckless behaviour on Sunday as throngs of tourists vaulted over safety barriers and dodged traffic to snap photos of Hong Kong’s famed Peninsula hotel, which has been decked out with Christmas decorations.
The landmark hotel, traditionally draped in elaborate decorations weeks ahead of Christmas, once again became a magnet for visitors who swamped the pavements of Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui for a clear view of its distinctive facade.
When a Post reporter visited on Sunday evening, many tourists, mainly mainland Chinese visitors, were standing on the edge of the traffic island across from the hotel, posing for photos and leaving little space for pedestrians to cross the road.
To get a better angle for their photos, dozens were seen climbing over the traffic island’s railings and entering a triangular-shaped makeshift enclosure marked by orange tape, the only thing separating the visitors from passing vehicles.
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Some chose to get in there by skirting the edge of the island before ducking under the sagging orange tape, while others sneaked in through a small gap between a traffic light pole and the railing. It was unclear who cordoned off the zone and why.
Inside the enclosure, tourists were seen standing on the edge of the kerb, leaning against the barrier protecting them from passing vehicles for photos.
Some said that they found it safe to stand there for photos, while others denied that they entered the zone when asked.