Zhuhai in south China's Guangdong Province is witnessing a surge in cross-border tourism during the ongoing eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, with many visitors from Hong Kong and Macao coming to enjoy rural scenery, local delicacies, and freshly caught seafood.
In the city's Doumen District, festive vibes fill major scenic spots, where a variety of cultural and tourism events have drawn large crowds.
Focusing on leisure-oriented rural tourism, the district has tapped into its ecological and cultural resources to create diverse experiences, from farm sightseeing to traditional folk activities.
One of the most popular destinations is Doumen Old Street. With its old architectures, stone pavements, and preserved shopfronts, the street offers a nostalgic charm that transports visitors back in time.
"We drove here at 08:00 this morning. This is my second visit here. I came before to Jiexiazhuang Village (another tourist spot in the district). Doumen Old Street feels very traditional, full of old-time flavor," said Hong Kong visitor Mr. Yue.
Meanwhile, at the Baitengtou Seafood Market, many Hong Kong and Macao tourists came to handpick fresh local seafood, adding a taste of Zhuhai's coastal life to their holiday experience.
This year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday runs from Oct 1 to 8.
Hong Kong, Macao tourists flock to Zhuhai during holiday
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
