Hong Kong residents are consistently recording massive weekend travel figures into mainland China, exemplified by over 400,000 northbound crossings recorded in late November. This significant migration highlights a sustained cross-border movement, placing noticeable strain on major entry points, particularly the Shenzhen Bay Port, where massive queues and congestion have become the norm during peak return hours.
Record-Breaking Cross-Border Movements Continue
The Immigration Department noted a dramatic peak in outbound traffic on Saturday, November 22nd, when 403,000 residents traveled north. This figure marked the second-highest weekend tally since early October, underscoring a continuous draw for residents seeking services, leisure, or family visits across the border. Since October 11th, Saturdays have consistently seen northbound traveler numbers surpass the 370,000 threshold.
Despite the high outbound volume, return traffic on Sunday evenings has proven the most challenging. Images circulated widely on mainland social media platforms, like Xiaohongshu, depicted Shenzhen Bay Port overwhelmed by returnees late on November 23rd. Users described the scene using vivid terminology, suggesting the port was in a state of near-collapse due to the density of the crowds.
Key Port Activity on November 22nd:
A breakdown of the northbound traffic reveals where the congestion is centered:
- Luohu Control Point: 122,000 crossings
- Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (Futian Port): 101,000 crossings
- Shenzhen Bay Port: 76,000 crossings
This sustained travel pattern suggests that cross-border journeys are no longer sporadic but a consistent part of the weekend routine for many Hong Kongers, driven perhaps by favorable economics or increased connectivity.
The Challenge of Peak-Hour Congestion
The strain on infrastructure is most acute during the Sunday evening return flow. Social media posts highlighted extensive queues at both the e-channels and traditional manual lanes at Shenzhen Bay, with the sheer volume of travelers creating lengthy waiting times extending into the late hours. Similar peak return flows were also reported at Liantang Port, where long queues formed on the Shenzhen side awaiting entry back into Hong Kong.
While Hong Kong residents are traveling north in droves, southbound visitor traffic from the mainland remains strong, although slightly lower than the weekend travel peak. On November 22nd, 134,000 mainland visitors entered Hong Kong. Although this was about 6,000 fewer than the preceding weekend, it confirmed the sixth straight Saturday where mainland arrivals exceeded 100,000, illustrating robust two-way exchange.
Navigating the Crowds: Advice for Weekend Travelers
Given the consistent congestion, particularly at Shenzhen Bay and Liantang ports on Sunday nights, travelers should implement strategies to ease their journey. Avoiding peak hours—typically 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Sundays—is crucial.
Actionable Travel Tips:
- Cross Earlier: Aim to complete your southbound journey before 4:00 PM on Sunday.
- Use Alternate Ports: Consider utilizing less busy crossing points, though the primary routes generally remain the quickest, even with queues.
- Monitor Real-Time Data: Check real-time crowd status provided by regulatory agencies or social media reports before departing Shenzhen.
- Ensure Documentation is Ready: Have identification and necessary documents prepared to ensure swift processing at automated channels.
These figures indicate that authorities may need to assess and strategically enhance capacity at key control points, or encourage staggered travel times to better manage the overwhelming flow of travelers that has defined weekend movement between Hong Kong and the mainland in recent months.