Hong Kong cancels Victoria Peak lighting project after backlash

The Hong Kong government has terminated plans to set up light installations along Victoria Peak’s Lugard Road and Harlech Road after local residents and hikers expressed concerns the project could damage the natural beauty of the area, which is a major tourist attraction. 

Speaking to the media on 29 October 2026, Rosanna Law, Hong Kong’s secretary for culture, sports and tourism, noted that the government had submitted a document to the Central and Western District Council on the same day to inform the local advisory body that the Peak lighting project would not be moving forward.

Why is the Peak lighting project being scrapped?

The government document, as cited by TVB and RTHK, pointed to revisions that had already watered down the project’s scale. 

According to the paper, the authorities originally planned to install light displays on 52 trees in the area, but decided to cut the number down to 24 after consulting with lawmakers and residents. The ending of the show was also brought forward to February 2027 rather than the initial plan for a one-year run. 

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“Following a significant reduction in the project’s scale, even with efforts to retain the most distinctive design elements, we are wary that it could be difficult to fully realise the original design concept and lighting effect,” the document said. 

Law added that Hong Kong would be running a host of major evening events, including the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival and the upcoming Hong Kong WinterFest, making the lighting project less of a priority. 

What will happen now that the Peak lighting project is ending?

The Hong Kong Tourism Board said it would remove the installations already set up as soon as possible, and would work to restore the area to its original condition. 

Meanwhile, Law told reporters that only a limited amount of resources had been allocated towards the Peak lighting project, as only some of the work had been carried out. She maintained that the uninstalled light displays could be repurposed for other projects.

What has the response been to the scrapping of the initiative?

The decision to terminate the Peak lighting project was welcomed by local opponents such as Judy Chan, a lawmaker representing Hong Kong Island West. 

“The area can be restored, but it might take some time to completely return the area to its original condition,” she said in a TVB interview aired on 29 October 2026. “If the tourism board really wants to revitalise some of the less popular tourism destinations, it could consider Stanley in the Southern District. There are some bar streets that were really popular there in the past, but are now struggling.”

Moving forward, Chan hoped that the tourism board would carry out a comprehensive consultation with the local district councils before embarking on projects that involve a particular district. 

Chan is not the only one to have criticised the project. Jim Chi-yung, an academic with the Education University of Hong Kong who specialises in areas such as urban ecology and urban forestry, was cited by the South China Morning Post as saying there was “a mismatch” and incongruity in having lights installed in a natural environment.

What other light shows is Hong Kong currently hosting?

The scrapped lighting project at Victoria Peak was just one of various light shows that the government organised to replace the city’s 22-year-old “A Symphony of Lights” Victoria Harbour show, which is ending by the end of 2026. 

Although the Peak lighting project has been scrapped, a projection mapping performance known as “HSBC Life Illuminations at The Peak” is still taking place, with lights being projected at the Peak Tower every evening until 6 June 2027. 

Meanwhile, visitors to Hong Kong Disneyland can also enjoy “Momentous” Nighttime Spectacular, which runs for about 20 minutes.