Beijing adds 8 mainland Chinese cities to Hong Kong solo traveller scheme, with residents in parts of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet to benefit

Beijing expands scheme allowing tourists from mainland Chinese cities to visit Hong Kong individually, with Urumqi in Xinjiang and Lhasa in Tibet among those added

Tourism sector heads call move ‘big gift’ with second expansion in three months reflecting Beijing’s ‘full support and confidence’ in city

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Tourists at Golden Bauhinia Square. An industry head says the latest update is a “strategic move” as it will enhance Hong Kong’s role as an aviation hub. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 11:04am, 11 May 2024Updated: 10:04pm, 11 May 2024

People from eight mainland Chinese cities in remote regions such as Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet will be able to visit Hong Kong without the need to join group tours after Beijing announced it would further expand a solo traveller scheme to boost the tourism sector.

The National Immigration Administration said on Saturday residents in the cities would be able to apply to visit from May 27.

The eight cities are all provincial and regional capitals: Taiyuan in Shanxi; Hohhot in Inner Mongolia; Harbin in Heilongjiang; Lhasa in Tibet; Lanzhou in Gansu; Xining in Qinghai; Yinchuan in Ningxia; and Urumqi in Xinjiang.

Under the Individual Visit Scheme, tourists can apply for a visa which allows them to stay in Hong Kong or Macau for up to seven days at a time. They can choose from single-entry or double-entry visas valid for three months or a year.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed gratitude to Beijing for further expanding the scheme, which brought the number of cities covered to 59.

“I thank the central government for its keen concern for Hong Kong and its full support … The central government once again actively responded to the Hong Kong government’s suggestions,” he said.