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Fiona Sun

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Kristen Cheung

Hongkongers poured across the border on Wednesday for a wider range of dining, shopping and family leisure options, seeking a short getaway on the public holiday marking the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule.
Major border checkpoints, including the West Kowloon rail terminus and Shenzhen Bay, were packed with holidaymakers carrying luggage, shopping bags and foldable carts as they headed to mainland China on Wednesday morning.
Lawyer Edward Wong, 32, left Hong Kong for Dongguan in the neighbouring Guangdong province via the West Kowloon high-speed rail terminus to visit a friend.
He said he planned to try Dongguan’s famed roast goose rice noodles and spend time there before returning to Hong Kong later that night.
Wong added that Hong Kong eateries, which often required table sharing and imposed dining time limits, were less competitive than their mainland counterparts.
“Restaurants on the mainland are more spacious and offer better service,” he said.
Simon Chiu, a 66-year-old retiree, headed to Shantou in Guangdong with his wife to join a group of friends for a short getaway.
They planned to stay for one night, tasting local delicacies and visiting historical and cultural museums before returning, he said.
Chiu said Hong Kong’s dining scene lacked fresh ideas and creativity while the mainland offered better value for money.
“Most importantly, many of our friends have headed north during the holidays, so we would be the only ones staying behind if we remained in the city,” he said.

Maggie Tsang, 42, headed to Shenzhen with her husband, two children and another family for a half-day trip. The accounting employee set aside around HK$1,000 (US$127.50) for food and children’s game parades, ball pits and family facilities at shopping centres in Futian district.
She said playgrounds and child facilities on the mainland cost about half as much as those in Hong Kong.
“It is also much more affordable as we are travelling with another family, splitting all the bills with us,” Tsang said.
Hongkongers also flocked to popular shopping centres in Shenzhen for food, bargains and family leisure activities.
At Kaledo, a lifestyle and retail complex in Shenzhen’s Nanshan district, Sally Lau spent the day with her colleagues, budgeting HK$1,000 for a day out.
The 50-year-old beautician said the wider variety of food and shopping options was a bigger draw than the discounts offered in Hong Kong.
“You get discounts in Hong Kong, but the choice is limited. Here, even the yogurt brands are more varied and cheaper, and some restaurants serve dishes you can’t find back home,” she said.
Lau said she frequently travelled to Shenzhen for massage and beauty treatments, and planned to stop by Zzer, a 2,000 sq ft second-hand luxury shop.

Raymond Yeung, a 48‑year‑old technician, was at the shopping centre with his family, including his 12‑year‑old daughter, and they planned to visit the underground skatepark.
He said that while the family would still use July 1 discounts at home, Shenzhen offered more options for family activities.
“You have more space in Shenzhen to play, and there’s more greenery too,” he said.
The MixC shopping centre in Nanshan district also proved popular with Hongkongers, including teacher Grace Ching who travelled with her mother to dine at the vegetarian restaurant Qing Chun Perma.
“I came specifically for this restaurant. It offers delicate Hangzhou-style vegetarian dishes you can’t find in Hong Kong,” the 40-year-old said.


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People visit MixC shopping centre in Nanshan, Shenzhen. Photo: May Tse

Travellers at the departure hall of West Kowloon terminus on July 1. Photo: Elson Li

Zzer, a 2,000 sq ft second-hand luxury shop, is located at Kaledo in Nanshan, Shenzhen. Photo: May Tse

A bakery and cafe operator in MixC says more than half of its customers are from Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse

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The weather on Wednesday is forecast to be very hot during the day, with mainly sunny periods and one or two showers. Photo: Jelly Tse

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The Peak Tram has special offers for July 1. Photo: Karma Lo

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Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the cultural gala celebrating the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China. Photo: Sun Yeung

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

City’s checkpoints packed with residents heading across border for quick shopping and dining getaways, drawn by wider variety and lower prices


City’s checkpoints packed with residents heading across border for quick shopping and dining getaways, drawn by wider variety and lower prices.


‘More space, better service’: Hongkongers flock to mainland for July 1 holiday

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}City’s checkpoints packed with residents heading across border for quick shopping and dining getaways, drawn by wider variety and lower prices

City’s checkpoints packed with residents heading across border for quick shopping and dining getaways, drawn by wider variety and lower prices