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Fiona Sun

More than 180,000 residents left Hong Kong on Tuesday with neighbouring Shenzhen a top draw for families and friends looking to go shopping and an alternative festive vibe despite the record 400-plus events planned for National Day at home.
Some northbound travellers said they took the cross-border trips hoping for a change of environment, as they felt the activities planned by authorities in Hong Kong lacked novelty and appeal.
Immigration statistics showed that as of 9pm on Tuesday, 187,824 Hong Kong residents had left the city while 214,097 mainland Chinese visitors had entered.
Huge crowds of Hongkongers gathered at the Lo Wu checkpoint in the morning while mainland tourists ventured south on the first day of the National Day “golden week” break.
Despite the steady stream of travellers, crossing the border was largely smooth, taking a Post reporter about 10 minutes to pass through before noon.
Among those heading to Shenzhen was Ada Yeung with her husband and two teenage daughters.
The 30-year-old waitress said her family and some friends were making a one-day trip and planned to spend about HK$5,000 (US$640) on eating and shopping.
“We will go to enjoy good food in a shopping centre and also try authentic local snacks on the popular Dongmen pedestrian street as we usually do,” she said. “I expect huge crowds everywhere, but it won’t dampen our mood for the trip.”
Hongkonger Rouki Chow was heading to Shenzhen with his wife and their four-year-old daughter for a day trip to visit his mother. The family also planned to find time to enjoy a meal and go shopping for toys and children’s products, with a budget of between HK$4,000 and HK$4,500.
Chow, a 33-year-old warehouse manager, said the mainland city had always been a top destination whenever he found time to unwind.
“It is more fun in Shenzhen and things are cheaper there. We have been there many times,” said Chow, who arrived at the Lo Wu border crossing at around 10am.

In Hong Kong, residents and tourists were being offered shopping vouchers, dining discounts and free rides on public transport as the city marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday.
In addition to special deals at 3,000 eateries, the government had planned about 400 activities, including a fireworks display and car parades.
While some said they appreciated the raft of activities across the city, the lower prices and fresh environment lured them to spend the holiday in Shenzhen.
Ying Lei, 58, left Hong Kong for Shenzhen with seven friends to have lunch and enjoy a massage in the afternoon.
“Although Hong Kong also has a great festive atmosphere today with national flags seen across the city, I’m more eager to spend the break elsewhere,” said Ying, who works in a hospital.
She said she decided to take the cross-border day trip as she had already been to many places in Hong Kong, adding that some of the National Day activities held at home were not new.
“I’m hoping to enjoy a different experience and feel the lively National Day atmosphere outside the city,” she said, adding that Shenzhen was a top choice for its variety of cuisines from across the country.
Retiree Linda Wong headed to Shenzhen to undergo a dental procedure while also enjoying some good food and shopping for bargains at a supermarket.
She only planned to spend one day across the border, accompanied by her daughter.
Wong, in her sixties, said she had opted to book the procedure in Shenzhen because it cost only about HK$2,000, compared with more than HK$20,000 in Hong Kong.
“Prices are appealing across the border, whether it is a dental procedure or things sold in a supermarket,” she said. “I planned my dental session long ago and it happened to be on the National Day holiday, so I can also take the chance to have a good time there.”


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Northbound on National Day: Hongkongers pour into Shenzhen for celebration

Hongkongers head to Shenzhen via Lo Wu station on the National Day holiday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Mainland travellers take the MTR at Lo Wu station during the National Day holiday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong spends on record number of National Day events, but do they fit the vibe?

A Post check has found that public funds allocated to districts for National Day celebrations have increased substantially over the past five years. Photo: Dickson Lee

Chief Secretary Eric Chan, the city’s No 2 official, has said everything being spent on National Day celebration will be “worth it”. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The rising number of events reflects the city’s changing political landscape, an analyst has said. Photo: Sam Tsang

Crowds buzzing for National Day-themed drone show over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour

The “Galloping Horses in the Sky” drone show started at 8pm. Photo: Dickson Lee

Pandas drew the loudest reactions from the crowd. Photo: Dickson Lee

A Star Ferry vessel and other local attractions were included in the show. Photo: Dickson Lee

A flower blooms over the harbour. Photo: Dickson Lee

A drone horse gallops across the sky above Victoria Harbour. Photo Dickson Lee

The drone show closed with messages related to National Day. Photos: Dickson Lee

Mainland Chinese early birds flock to Hong Kong ahead of National Day ‘golden week’

Many tourists are seen crossing the city’s land checkpoints on Saturday morning. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Tourists take pictures at the University of Hong Kong. Photo: Edmond So

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong economy

Residents say they are looking for a change of environment and feel activities planned by Hong Kong authorities lack novelty


Residents say they are looking for a change of environment and feel activities planned by Hong Kong authorities lack novelty.


Hong Kong society

Tourism

Golden week

Chinese tourists