The Zhuhai port of entry at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao (HZM) Bridge recorded a historic high in inbound and outbound vehicle and passenger traffic in the first quarter this year, as travel demand between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao continued to surge, according to official data released Wednesday.
The 55-kilometer bridge links China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR and the city of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. It is the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing.
Statistics from the Zhuhai border inspection station show that over 1.03 million trips were made by single-plate vehicles from Hong Kong and Macao passing through the port in the first quarter, up 17 percent year on year. This marks the first time quarterly vehicle crossings have exceeded one million since the implementation of the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" and "Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles" schemes in 2023.
According to the port authority, the surge in single-plate vehicles has also driven a significant increase in passenger flows, with more than 4.5 million inbound and outbound trips by Hong Kong and Macao residents in the first three months, up 10 percent year on year and setting a new quarterly record.
Meanwhile, southbound trips are also on the rise. The expansion of individual travel cities for mainland residents visiting Hong Kong and Macao, along with the popularity of "one bridge, three destinations" tourism routes, has fueled demand. According to statistics from the bridge's Zhuhai border inspection station, 1.46 million trips were made by mainland Chinese tourists holding Hong Kong or Macao travel permits via the bridge in the first quarter of this year, ranking among the highest for the same period on record.
The Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, implemented in December 2025, has further diversified travel options for mainland residents heading to Hong Kong for shopping and tourism. By March 31, more than 5,500 vehicles had been registered under the policy, with over 7,500 trips made by Guangdong private cars through the port.
In response to the growing and increasingly dynamic flow of passengers and vehicles, the Zhuhai border inspection station has accelerated the port's "smart" upgrade, introducing AI algorithms and big data systems, increasing police presence during peak holiday periods, extending clearance hall hours, and maximizing the number of open inspection channels to further enhance efficiency and convenience at the port.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge sees record vehicle, passenger flow in Q1
