29th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong experienced a significant surge in outbound travel on Lunar New Year’s Day (29th January), following over 600,000 border crossings recorded on New Year’s Eve. By 4pm, approximately 487,000 cross-border movements were tallied, with outbound travellers accounting for 336,000, or 68% of the total.
Of the outbound figures, Hong Kong residents dominated with 287,538 departures, representing 85.6% of all outbound traffic. The Lo Wu checkpoint emerged as the most popular exit point, facilitating 50,423 departures, followed by Shenzhen Bay and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, which handled 46,680 and 41,518 travellers, respectively. Meanwhile, air travel also proved popular, with 40,619 residents departing via Hong Kong International Airport for overseas destinations.
An analysis of crossings through land and sea checkpoints connecting to mainland China revealed that at least 201,332 Hong Kong residents travelled to the mainland. This figure excludes travellers departing via the airport, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, and the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal. In addition to the three busiest checkpoints (Lo Wu, Shenzhen Bay, and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line), the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station recorded 35,170 departures, Heung Yuen Wai port facilitated 16,748, while Man Kam To, Lok Ma Chau, and China Ferry Terminal handled 873, 7,882, and 2,038 departures, respectively.
Conversely, only 86,124 Mainland visitors entered Hong Kong on Lunar New Year’s Day, creating a notable cross-border disparity of at least 115,000 travellers. Among mainland visitors, the West Kowloon Station was the most frequented entry point, welcoming 23,579 arrivals. Lok Ma Chau Spur Line followed with 12,037 arrivals, while Lo Wu recorded 11,128.
In addition to Mainland visitors, 46,878 Hong Kong residents returned from trips abroad, while 18,265 other travellers entered the city.
