To mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government hosted a flag-raising ceremony this morning (Oct. 1) at 8 a.m. at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, followed by a National Day reception at the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event was attended by dignitaries and representatives from various sectors. In collaboration with the community, the HKSAR Government also announced a series of celebratory activities and special offers, including performances, cultural events, and discounts on transport and dining.
Today, citizens can enjoy free rides on trams and selected ferry routes, including the "North Point to Hung Hom" and "North Point to Kowloon City" lines. Children can travel for free on designated daytime routes operated by Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and Citybus.
Additionally, a lottery by the MTR will distribute 76,000 free single-journey tickets, which winners can redeem within a specified period for a free local journey (60,000 tickets), a cross-boundary trip to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau stations (10,000 tickets), or an Airport Express ride (6,000 tickets).
For dining and shopping, over 3,000 restaurants and merchants are offering discounts, with some, including Maxim's MX, Café de Coral, and McDonald's, providing up to 30% off.
Moviegoers can enjoy half-price tickets at all commercial cinemas across HK today, covering all formats and genres. An estimated 190,000 people are expected to take advantage of this offer. Meanwhile, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is opening various recreational and cultural facilities for free, including the HK Wetland Park and most sports facilities, which require prior registration through the "SmartPLAY" system. Museums and art spaces under the LCSD are also offering free admission.
The highlight of the celebrations is the National Day fireworks display over Victoria Harbour at 8 p.m. tonight. This year's fireworks display will feature eight distinctive scenes and last approximately 23 minutes with over 30,000 fireworks launched. Spectators can enjoy the stunning display from multiple vantage points along both sides of the harbor, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and the Hung Hom Bypass. Arriving early is recommended to secure the best viewing spots.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; English Editor: Zoey SUN)
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