Hong Kong toy fans camping outside pier mistaken for mainland Chinese tourists roughing it
- Viral Facebook post claimed Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui had become prime spot for mainlanders to sleep without paying for hotel
- People sleeping there were locals waiting to get their hands on limited edition doll on sale at nearby shopping centre, Post learns
About 20 people recently camped outside Hong Kong’s Star Ferry Pier to get their hands on limited edition toys, and were not mainland Chinese tourists unwilling to pay for hotel rooms as had been claimed.
The misunderstanding emerged from a Facebook post on Saturday that claimed the pier in Tsim Sha Tsui had become a place for mainlanders to sleep. Images circulating online showed the group lying on cardboard mats with their belongings outside the closed pier.
A Post reporter visited the pier and the nearby Hong Kong Cultural Centre that night, but discovered no signs of anyone camping at either location.
A Star Ferry employee said those earlier seen camping out were waiting to buy limited edition toys.
Pop Mart Hong Kong on May 31 rolled out sales of limited edition CRYBABY dolls with lamps and blind boxes. A branch is located at LCX in Harbour City, a busy shopping centre right next to the pier.
Some local media outlets earlier picked up the story and claimed the group were mainland tourists, quoting a newspaper stand owner who said he had seen people camping at the spot for the past few days and leaving each morning.
