“Group in, Group Out” tours to Chung Ying Street may launch as early as Q2

發佈日期: 2026-02-19 20:11

TVB News

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It's understood that the government is inclined to open Chung Ying Street in Sha Tau Kok to non-residents' visits as early as the second quarter.

And that's under a "group in, group out" arrangement.

In recent years, the government has stepped up efforts to promote local tourism within Hong Kong including efforts to open the Sha Tau Kok Pier during the pandemic to visitors.

In 2024, access to the restricted zone was further expanded.

Non-Sha Tau Kok residents were allowed to apply online for a Closed Area Permit to enter the frontier area.

However, the iconic Chung Ying Street which straddles Hong Kong-Shenzhen borders 
remains off-limits.

On the Shenzhen side, the street has been bustling with Lunar New Year festivities, drawing more than 10,000 visitors daily.

The area features numerous Hong Kong-style shops and even renowned Taiwanese souvenir stores.

It's understood that Chung Ying Street will likely allow non-residents to enter in guided tour groups subject to an initial visitor cap.

A street shaped in history, dating back to the late 19th century -- Chung Ying Street is located in Sha Tau Kok which borders Shenzhen's Yantian District.

In 1898, the British and Qing governments signed the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, formally demarcating the boundary between Hong Kong and the mainland.

Chung Ying Street officially became the dividing line through Sha Tau Kok Village with boundary stones marking the frontier.

Following China's reform and opening up in 1978, Shenzhen became one of the first Special Economic Zones with trade near Chung Ying Street having flourished.

During the 80s, the area became a hotspot for gold jewellery sales with turnover exceeding 1.5 billion dollars.

In the 90s, it set a record of receiving nearly 100,000 visitors a day.

Under the current Frontier Closed Area policy, only four categories of people are eligible for permits, including those with family or historical ties to the zone, residents and workers there or those with justified needs to enter.

The Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee says guided access to the restricted zone will likely prove to be popular but the key concern now is documentation.

For instance whether Hong Kong residents require a home return permit to enter and what documents would mainland tour groups require.

The Tourism Commission says relevant SAR departments are working closely with Shenzhen authorities to study the arrangements but no specific timetable is available yet.