Chung Yeung Festival: Large cemetery reports fewer Hong Kong residents as border traffic increases

A large cemetery in Hong Kong attracted fewer people to sweep graves for the Chung Yeung Festival compared to last year, while transport authorities warned of heavy border traffic and many residents traveling to mainland China for the holiday ahead of the weekend.

On Friday morning, crowds lined up for the bus to travel uphill to the Cape Collinson Chinese Permanent Cemetery in Chai Wan, with taxis and private cars banned from parking near the columbariums. Barriers were also set up to manage the long queues.

Local staff said about 200 people every 15 minutes were using an escalator installed last year to connect Chai Wan’s main streets and cemeteries.

“Fewer people visit cemeteries this time of year than in previous years,” said Jacky Chan, head of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries office in Chai Wan.

Chan attributed the decline in visitors to the wave of emigration, but noted that the final number had not yet been determined.

“People are leaving the city, so fewer of them are personally paying tribute and sweeping the graves,” he said.