Northbound on National Day: Hongkongers pour into Shenzhen for celebration
Residents say they are looking for a change of environment and feel activities planned by Hong Kong authorities lack novelty
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.