Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

Golden week

Golden week
The Chinese "golden week" refers either of the two week-long holidays around National Day on October 1, and the lunar calendar Spring Festival which usually falls in January or February of each year. Tens of millions of Chinese travel by air, train and road to family reunions, vacations or shopping centres during these holidays.
Members of an unlicensed tour group eat hotpot at the Ham Tin Wan campsite. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong tourism

How unlicensed mainland Chinese tour groups cash in on Hong Kong campsites

Unlicensed guide admits to regularly crossing border as tourist for illegal work, while another insists 30-person group ‘just friends’.

Hong Kong environmental issues

300 verbal warnings issued to Sharp Island visitors on Labour Day

12
Hong Kong tourism

‘Golden week’ begins with bang in Hong Kong, but restaurants’ gains ‘limited’

6
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong taxi driver arrested for dangerous driving, hitting speeds of 160km/h

Undercover officers intercept driver, 31, after he completed 42km trip from Sai Kung Country Park to border checkpoint in about 30 mins.

Taxi vehicles seized by police. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong’s East Dam draws thousands for ‘golden week’ as entry fee floated

Tourists opt for ecotourism over traditional shopping after Unesco geopark receives widespread publicity on mainland Chinese social media.

Hong Kong tourism

Labour Day: Hong Kong records 242,000 trips by mainland Chinese visitors so far

Many visitors head to countryside for scenic views, while others opt for ‘city walks’ to explore picturesque locales.

9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Banking & finance

Gold, cruises and Dior: Hong Kong lenders aim to entice mainland China visitors

With 980,000 visitors from the mainland expected during golden week, Hong Kong lenders line up incentives to capture wealthy customers.

Mainland tourists flock to Tsim Sha Tsui during the Golden Week holiday on May 3, 2025. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong economy

Yacht tourists, hikers drive ‘golden week’ optimism for Hong Kong eateries

Industry leader says 5 per cent year-on-year increase in business expected, adding that operators have ramped up manpower to cope with influx.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Video | Sharp Island patrols boosted for China’s “golden week”

Authorities will step up security as 1,000 visitors are expected in the area each day during the holiday.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Ahead of Labour Day, a sensible tweak to Hong Kong’s tourism strategy

While mainland arrivals are still down from their heyday, the tourism strategy is pivoting from pursuing numbers to seeking higher value.

Tourists gather around a retro display at a supermarket near the old Yau Ma Tei police station on February 22. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong to block off parts of Sharp Island shore to protect corals over break

Authorities expect 1,000 visitors in the area each day during the coming Labour Day ‘golden week’ holiday.

videocam
Staff will also be deployed to monitor the sea off Sharp Island. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong boosts e-cigarette ban awareness in mainland China before ‘golden week’

Authorities ramp up promotion and enforcement before public possession ban on alternative smoking products begins on April 30.

Hong Kong tourism

Editorial | Hong Kong’s natural heritage needs preserving amid holiday crush

If Hong Kong can enforce standards without closing its doors, it can serve as a role model of how to treasure visitors and the environment.

Hong Kong tourism

Mainland Chinese to make 980,000 inbound trips to Hong Kong for Labour Day break

Estimate from Immigration Department represents 7 per cent increase from last year’s holiday.

Tourists arrive in Hong Kong via the West Kowloon high-speed rail terminus. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong tourism

Cheap tours blamed for coerced shopping in Hong Kong: tourism experts

Industry also called on authorities to step up random inspections during coming Labour Day ‘golden week’ holiday.

Visitors at the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong to test new campsite booking system amid overcrowding, litter concerns

Authorities also reveal 32 people had been prosecuted for offences in Sai Kung’s country parks over Chinese New Year holiday.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Hong Kong wants ecotourism, not overtourism

After incidents of overcrowding at beach campsites during recent holidays, it is encouraging that the authorities are considering a booking system and fees.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong visitor numbers jump for Chinese New Year holiday as gold sales shine

But Hong Kong residents make 3.95 million outbound trips between February 13 and 23, nearly 10 per cent more than last year.

Tourists enjoy the harbourfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Sam Tsang
China consumption

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

10
Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong marks start of Lunar New Year with surge of visitors

Visitor numbers hit 153,383 on first day of holiday, up by 10 per cent year on year, with more than 120,000 coming from mainland China.

videocam
Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong set for Lunar New Year tourism bump with 6% rise in mainland visitors

Up to 1.4 million mainland visitors will set foot in city during holiday, according to Travel Industry Council projections.

5
Tourists pose for pictures at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s southbound travel scheme is 1 month old. Are people signing up?

Policy launched in late December allows Guangdong drivers to enter Hong Kong’s urban areas under daily quota system.

The scheme utilises the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to grant mainland drivers access to Hong Kong. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong environmental issues

Groups welcome updated Hong Kong biodiversity plan but call for more details

Government unveils Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which sets out strategies for the next 10 years.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to review tourist capacity and marine protection amid coral damage

City leader John Lee urges balance between environmental protection and tourism after coral damage off Sharp Island during ‘golden week’.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong businesses must adapt to new tourism and spending trends

While multiple sectors benefited from ‘super golden week’, it’s clear visitors no longer just come for high-end dining or shopping.

Tourists visit Cheung Chau on the second day of the the golden week holiday on October 2. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong property

As Hong Kong retail sales recover, can landlords follow with higher shop rents?

The journey from retail sales stabilisation to strengthened rental prices in the property market could take at least a year.

12
Mainland Chinese tourists check items at a souvenir shop in Tsim Sha Tsui during the National Day “golden week” holiday. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong environmental issues

Damaged coral reefs in Hong Kong may take years to recover, green groups warn

Government investigation finds area of about four square metres has been damaged after tourists packed Sharp Island in Sai Kung.

SCMP

Video | Sea of red lights mark the end of China’s ‘super golden week’

Cars flood the freeway in China as people return back home from Golden Week.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement