A RECORD 2.5 million people will be away from Hongkong during the Lunar New Year period.
Hundreds of thousands of people have left by air, land and sea every day over the past week and more will be departing in the coming days.
Most travellers are heading to the mainland for reunions with families and friends.
Immigration officials estimated that the bulk of the 2.5 million holidaymakers were China-bound, crossing the border at Lowu. Another 80,000 are taking overseas trips, leaving from Kai Tak Airport.
This year's total is more than 50 per cent higher than last year, when fewer than 1.6 million crossed the border and about 50,000 left by air.
The Immigration Department will deploy an extra 60 staff at Lowu. A total of 353 officers will be on duty and all leave has been temporarily cancelled.