Crowds built up at Hong Kong’s busiest border checkpoint, Lo Wu, on Sunday afternoon following a three-day long weekend, with many residents bringing back delicacies such as hairy crabs and consumer goods.
Tens of thousands were making their way back to Hong Kong from tomb sweeping across the border, short breaks and shopping in Shenzhen, after a net outflow of 416,709 trips was recorded from Thursday, the eve of the Chung Yeung Festival, to Saturday.
The Immigration Department said the number of trips was similar to the corresponding period last year, where a net outflow of 428,903 was logged between October 20 and 22.
Many of those returning on Sunday were pulling luggage, while some were lured on the way by vendors selling hairy crabs for 100 yuan for four.
Jennifer Wong, 45, a yoga studio owner in Fo Tan, bought eight crabs on the way home after enjoying a weekend getaway with her husband, spending about HK$5,000, including a two-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton Shenzhen.
“We just wanted a staycation at a nice hotel and I happened to book a room at 1,200 yuan a night. We just went to enjoy spas and massages while indulging ourselves in some good hotpot and Japanese restaurants,” Wong said.
