Hong Kong's long Lunar New Year holiday, extended by the weekend, ended yesterday (Feb. 2), with many Hong Kong residents returning from trips abroad while mainland tourists began arriving to explore the city. At the West Kowloon High-Speed Rail (HSR) Station, reporters observed a continuous flow of arrivals. The taxi waiting area was overwhelmed, with passengers needing to collect queue tickets and wait an average of 15–20 minutes to catch a ride.
Returning Residents and Holiday Travel Trends
Many travelers choose to return to Hong Kong in the afternoon to avoid the evening peak. The Hong Kong Immigration Department reported that as of 9 PM yesterday, a total of 977,000 people crossed the city's borders, with over 600,000 inbound travelers, including 423,000 Hong Kong residents. While many locals traveled abroad during the holiday, Hong Kong also welcomed many mainland visitors. A Legislative Council member noted that the high footfall across districts is expected to boost the holiday season's business revenue.
On Lunar New Year's Day 3 (Jan. 31), cross-boundary traffic hit new records, with vehicles traveling between Hong Kong and Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge reaching an all-time high.
Scenes at West Kowloon HSR Station
By 3 PM yesterday, the West Kowloon HSR Station arrivals hall was bustling with people. Travelers, many carrying bags in both hands and dragging suitcases, lined up in an orderly fashion to exit the station. Friends and family members gathered in the waiting area to pick up returning travelers.
Mr. Chau, who traveled back from visiting relatives in Fujian, said he deliberately returned early to avoid the evening rush. He mentioned that securing HSR tickets for the return trip was challenging, requiring him to queue at the station as early as 6 AM several days in advance. Reflecting on his trip, he remarked, "The holiday passed too quickly!" During his visit, he explored scenic spots in Fuzhou, enjoyed local delicacies and regional New Year goods, and captured memories at historic sites, relishing the festive atmosphere of traditional alleyways. His five-day trip was both enjoyable and economical.
Ms. Sin, another traveler returning from Fujian, echoed similar sentiments. Spending five days and four nights with relatives, she noted that the festive atmosphere in hometowns is unmatched. "Every household puts up Spring Festival couplets and visits each other during the holiday. Everyone gathers for reunion dinners, plays cards, and enjoys tea together," she said. Her total expenses for the trip exceeded RMB 2,000.
Mainland Tourists Visit Hong Kong
While Hong Kong residents returned, some mainland visitors traveled south to the city. Ms. Han, a tourist from Shanghai, explained that her hometown was too cold, so she chose to spend the holiday in Hong Kong, where the weather is warmer. She also planned to visit friends working in the city. Staying for six days, she used social media to plan her itinerary and looked forward to festive activities such as lion dances and lantern displays.
At the taxi stand in the HSR station, despite the large number of available taxis, passengers still had to collect queue tickets and wait 15–20 minutes on average. Ms. Wong, a resident heading to Mong Kok, praised the ticketing system for its convenience but suggested the government improve contingency plans to increase taxi availability during peak times.
Busy Scenes at the Airport
The Hong Kong International Airport arrivals hall was also lively, with many residents returning home with luggage in tow. Ms. Wong, who traveled to Phuket, Thailand, with her son, commented on the vibrant tourism atmosphere there, noting the large number of travelers. She chose a morning flight to return to rest and adjust after the trip. Another traveler, Matthew, returned from visiting relatives in Hangzhou, remarking that this year's holiday felt much busier than last year's. "Both airports were crowded, and all flights were fully booked," he said.
Immigration Figures and Economic Boost
At 9 PM, 977,000 people had crossed Hong Kong's borders through various entry points. Among the 600,000 inbound travelers, 423,000 were Hong Kong residents, with most entering via the Lo Wu checkpoint, followed by the Shenzhen Bay Port. On the outbound side, over 370,000 people left Hong Kong, including 140,000 mainland tourists and 190,000 Hong Kong residents.
Legislative Council member Peter Shiu, representing the wholesale and retail sector, noted that this year's holiday economy was vibrant. While many Hong Kongers traveled to the mainland for shopping and leisure, many mainland tourists visited Hong Kong. Although exact sales figures are unavailable, he believes the holiday positively impacted local businesses.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan also highlighted the festive atmosphere in his blog yesterday, noting increased foot traffic at traditional tourist hotspots, shopping districts, and major malls. From Lunar New Year's Eve (January 28) to Day 3 (January 31), Hong Kong welcomed nearly 680,000 visitors, marking a 6% year-over-year increase. The catering and tourism industries performed well, with restaurant revenues up by over 10% and spending in popular tourist districts 20% higher than usual.
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