By Catherine Kexin Chen
January 31, 2024
In recent weeks, there has been a significant influx in the number of primary and secondary school students visiting the campus of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The students were often accompanied by their parents or guided by tour groups. This phenomenon seems to be more prevalent at HKU as compared to other universities in Hong Kong, perhaps driven by its academic reputation and popularity on social media. However, the influx of tourists and children placed an unexpected strain on campus amenities and has become a source of inconvenience for many HKU students.
Compared to other universities in Hong Kong, HKU has emerged as a popular destination for tourists due to its top-ranking status, long history, fully open campus environment, and convenient location. As one of the top universities in Asia, HKU currently ranks 26th in the QS World University Rankings and holds the top position in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, it is the oldest tertiary institution with declared buildings and rated historic buildings. Situated in the western part of Hong Kong Island, the university is only a 20-minute subway ride away from popular tourist areas such as Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui. Furthermore, HKU maintains an open campus policy, without gates or visitor registration, granting easy access for all. Considering the campus atmosphere and convenience, HKU has become the preferred choice for visitors to experience Hong Kong’s excellent university education.
HKU is a top-notch university, and the students here are very talented. My parents wanted me to experience the environment here and learn from the older students, so that I can also get into a prestigious university in the future.”
– Guo Zihao, 8 years old, visitor to HKU
The discussions on social media and promotion by travel agencies have further attracted parents and children to visit HKU. Some travel agencies have seized the opportunity to offer guided tours of the university campus, charging approximately HKD 600 per person for a one-day trip that includes team-building activities, guided tours by HKU students, and lunch in the campus cafeteria. For example, on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, the sales volume of such products by a travel agency has reached 680. Many people also share photos taken in front of iconic buildings at HKU, such as the Red Wall, Main Building, and Eliot Hall, on social media. These commercial promotions and user-generated content have attracted an increasing number of visitors to HKU.
We guide children to explore HKU with questions, helping them understand the campus life and extracurricular activities of HKU students. This will make the children aspire to university life and plant a seed in their hearts.”
– Mrs. Zhang, 32 years old, teacher at a study tour group
In response to the impact of a large number of visitors on the normal study life of students, HKU previously made all dining facilities accessible only to staff and students, requiring card swipes for ordering. However, with the onset of the winter vacation for primary and secondary school students, the increasing number of children entering the campus has still posed challenges for the attending students.
HKU students have been actively discussing this phenomenon on social media, with many making jokes and expressing their complaints. Due to the relatively small and concentrated campus, some students feel that the excessive number of tourists seriously disrupts their normal campus life. Issues raised include congested roads, prolonged elevator queues, visitors occupying seats in the dining areas and entering classrooms to take photos during classes. However, some students believe that the campus itself is open to the public, and it is unfair to criticize all visitors based on the behavior of a few with poor manners. A minority of students even choose to take on commercial opportunities by accompanying study tour groups, earning several hundred Hong Kong dollars per hour.
“There are just too many tourists. Every day, I see groups of tourists and study tour groups on campus, and it’s really exhausting. HKU already has a large student population, and facilities are limited. Now, the waiting times have become even longer. Especially during lunchtime, I was in a hurry to attend class, but there was no place to eat in the cafeteria because tourists took up many tables.”
– Jason Ji, Year 3 undergraduate student, majoring in Economics & Finance
The purpose of an open campus is to open its doors and integrate with society. However, for HKU, an excessive number of tourists beyond its capacity has disrupted the university’s normal learning atmosphere and campus life. The university needs to find a balance between maintaining an open campus and safeguarding the quality of its students’ learning environment and campus life, ensuring that the open campus does not become an overcrowded tourist attraction.
The university could consider measures to control visitor flows, such as following the example of other universities in requiring visitors to register, or restricting the entry of unofficially organized tour groups. From the perspective of visitors, it is important to respect the campus rules and regulations, refraining from excessively disrupting the normal work and study routines of students. Students could kindly remind visitors about campus regulations, and collaborate with the university to propose suggestions for improving campus management. By working together, visitors can better experience the academic atmosphere of HKU, while students can focus on their studies and personal development with greater ease.
Reported by Catherine Kexin Chen
Edited by Rita Lim and Coey Fung