Hong Kong residents flocked to Shenzhen on the first day of the Labour Day 'golden week' holiday, attracted by better restaurant service, lower costs and family-friendly attractions. Families budgeted about HK$1,000 (US$128) for a full day covering dining, dental clinics, indoor amusement parks and ice-skating rinks. Crowds packed border stations like Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu.
Hong Kong residents flocked to Shenzhen on Friday, May 1, as the Labour Day 'golden week' holiday began. Labour Day is a statutory public holiday in Hong Kong and marks the start of mainland China's five-day holiday from May 1 to 5.
Financial worker Steven Kwan arrived at the train station connected to the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line checkpoint at about 9.40am with his wife, three children and mother for a day trip to Shenzhen. At 10.30am, residents streamed through the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line checkpoint, with queues clearing within minutes. By about 11am, Lo Wu station was packed as arrivals came in waves, many hurrying to beat the crowds and cross the border.
Meanwhile, about 980,000 mainland visitors are expected to enter Hong Kong via sea, land and air control points during the holiday. Hongkongers cited better service at restaurants, lower costs and family-friendly attractions such as Window of the World as draws.
