Large crowds continued to fill Hong Kong’s major attractions on the third day of the Lunar New Year, even as official figures showed a nearly 16 per cent increase in net outbound travel during the holiday period.

From mid-morning, queues formed at landmark destinations including The Peak and Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, while authorities reported that between 500 and 999 visitors were recorded at the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung from noon.

The steady footfall reflected resilient local and inbound tourism activity despite many residents travelling abroad during the festive break.

Real-time updates from the Hong Kong Tourism Board indicated that by around 1.30pm waiting times at the Tung Chung terminus of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, the Central terminus of The Peak Tram and the ferris wheel at the Central Harbourfront had all exceeded an hour.

Cross-harbour ferry services were also operating at high capacity, with passengers facing waits of at least 30 minutes.

In Central, long lines of mainland Chinese and overseas tourists extended through the underpass beside The Peak Tram terminus, where police officers were deployed along Garden Road to manage the flow of visitors.

Among those queuing was Zhu Lingqin, a 67-year-old retiree visiting for the first time with her family of six from Hangzhou.

The group booked a two-night stay at the Hopewell Hotel in Wan Chai at a cost of about HK$4,000 (US$512) per night.

She said they had enjoyed watching the fireworks display from their room on the 44th floor.

The sustained crowds underscore Hong Kong’s continued appeal as a regional holiday destination, even as outbound travel rebounds strongly during peak festive periods.