During the seven-day National Day golden week, Mainland Chinese Tourists travelled to Hong Kong in large numbers. Official figures showed that on October 1, the city recorded nearly 277,300 mainland arrivals — a single-day record since 2023 and higher than the 2018 peak.
In the first five days of the holiday, total visitor arrivals reached about 1.266 million, of which roughly 1.127 million were from the mainland.
In Causeway Bay, streets were crowded with pedestrians and tourists.
At the newly opened East Coast Park Precinct in North Point, visitors stopped to rest and view the harbor from the waterfront breakwater. The area offered a quieter setting compared with the busier shopping districts. Many sat along the promenade, looked out at the sea, and took in views of Victoria Harbor. The precinct has become a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking open space and sea views.
The century-old Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station drew crowds of tourists posing for photos. The historic building is known as a filming location for Hong Kong crime films. The site remains a draw for those interested in Hong Kong’s film heritage and architectural history.
At Tsim Sha Tsui Pier, Mainland Chinese Tourists gathered along the waterfront and took pictures against the Victoria Harbor skyline. The view of Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers was a common backdrop for holiday photos. Visitors spent time at the pier before moving on to other nearby locations, including museums and shopping areas in the district.
On October 7, the final day of the holiday, many travelers left Hong Kong via the West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station. Passengers carrying luggage and souvenirs passed through the station to board trains back to mainland cities. The high-speed rail link continued to be a common option for travel between Hong Kong and Mainland China offering a direct connection to cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Dongguan.
The high-speed rail connection has made it easier for mainland residents to make short trips to Hong Kong without the need for air travel. This has contributed to a steady flow of visitors throughout the golden week.
Looking ahead, the coming months will show whether these travel trends continue into other holiday seasons. Hong Kong remains one of several destinations within reach for mainland travelers, alongside other cities in the region.