Chung Yeung Festival: major cemetery reports fewer Hongkongers as border traffic spikes
Post reporter observes long queues headed to Cape Collinson Chinese Permanent Cemetery in Chai Wan, but staff member notes decline in visitors
A major Hong Kong cemetery drew fewer people for grave sweeping on the Chung Yeung Festival compared with last year, while transport authorities warned of heavy border traffic with many residents travelling to mainland China on the public holiday leading to the weekend.
Crowds lined up for the bus to go uphill to the Cape Collinson Chinese Permanent Cemetery in Chai Wan on Friday morning, with taxis and private cars banned from parking close to the columbariums. Cordons were also set up to direct the long queues.
Staff on site said about 200 people every 15 minutes were using an escalator installed last year to connect the main roads and the Chai Wan cemeteries.
“There are fewer people visiting cemeteries during this period of the year compared with previous years,” said Jacky Chan, the supervisor of the office of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries in Chai Wan.
Chan attributed the decline of visitors to the emigration wave, although he noted the final count was not in yet.
“People are moving out of the city so fewer of them are paying tribute and sweeping the tombs in person,” he said.
