Visitors shop in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the “golden week” holiday.
More than 310,000 travellers poured into Hong Kong from mainland China and elsewhere on the first day of the Labour Day “golden week” holiday as tourists seek to take in the city’s renowned vistas and flavours.
Immigration Department figures showed that 310,874 travellers entered Hong Kong through various control points by 9pm on Saturday, with most coming via the Lo Wu checkpoint, at 58,251 arrivals, followed by 55,055 at the Lok Ma Chau spur line.
Carrying suitcases and bags, travellers of all ages queued at the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s counter to pick up welcome cards that included either discount vouchers for various shops or an all-day MTR pass. The freebies were part of the city’s “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to lure visitors back after three years of border closures.
Visitors carrying suitcases arrive at the West Kowloon station on the first day of the “golden week” holiday.
The China Tourism Academy had predicted 240 million mainlanders would be travelling during the holiday this year, about 4 per cent more than in 2019. Visitors were expected to go farther and stay longer at their destinations.
Having recently relocated to Shenzhen from Changsha, 50-year-old Joan Xiao made her maiden visit to Hong Kong over the first post-pandemic Labour Day holiday.
Describing her itinerary as “eating, shopping and having fun”, she said her first stop would be 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui, followed by the Star Ferry pier.
“I want to try street snacks and food from Michelin-starred restaurants here. I haven’t planned my spending much, but I expect anything from 10,000 to 30,000 yuan,” Xiao said.
Bella Ba, a 24-year-old designer, flew from Beijing to Shenzhen before taking the high-speed rail to Hong Kong.
Tourists at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui ahead of the “golden week” holiday.
The five-day golden week holiday runs from Saturday to May 3 on the mainland. It marks the first extended break since the country dropped its Covid-19 travel restrictions.
The Immigration Department had earlier estimated about 4.61 million people, including locals and visitors, would arrive in or depart Hong Kong, with 85 per cent passing through land crossings from Saturday to next Thursday.
The Travel Industry Council has estimated 600,000 mainlanders will visit Hong Kong in the seven days from Saturday to May 5, with more than 80 per cent being individual travellers.
