China's northbound travel scheme has been boosting the development of tourism and sports events in Zhuhai City, a major port of entry for visitors from the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
Under the travel scheme, private cars from Hong Kong and Macao can enter Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge without mainland license plates, and Macao cars can also enter via the Hengqin border with more streamlined crossing procedures, making for an easy holiday getaway.
Zhuhai's popular attractions offer a variety of leisure activities and destinations, including beaches, relaxing gardens, and exciting football matches. Regular visitors said that they are finding new attractions with each pass through.
"I'm a Macao-born entrepreneur now based in Hengqin, working in supply chains and consultation. Today, moving across the Greater Bay Area is incredibly convenient. I often go from Zhuhai to Hong Kong for client meetings, then on to Shenzhen, and back to Zhuhai in about an hour. As more lesser-known cities are being discovered, my friends and I are increasingly keen to explore beyond the usual hotspots," said Owen Chan, an entrepreneur from Macao.
As work-related trips become outlets for travelers to explore the mainland's endless sites, many travelers have also found that the policy has made it more convenient to bring the families along.
"We just drove in from the Hengqin border, where the joint clearance policy has made crossings much easier -- especially when traveling with children. We also often use the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as well, but traffic can get really busy on weekends," said Luis Che, another entrepreneur from Macao.
Zhuhai on Sunday hosted a team from Yangjiang, a county-level city in the province, in its first home match of the Guangdong Super League, a grassroots amateur football league that has gained viral popularity.
The match has drawn a significant number of fans from across the border. Outside the stadium, a street fair showcased local food, drinks and cultural products -- indicators of the rapid development that is making Zhuhai more attractive to visitors.
"I've watched football around the world, in Europe and the US, and the growth around Zhuhai has been striking. There used to be far fewer places for sports or for kids to play. Now the atmosphere is better, and there are many more facilities and choices," said Che.
"There are hundreds of teams and a large amateur base in Macao, but not enough space. That's why the northbound travel scheme is opening new possibilities. In about an hour, players from Macao can reach these facilities. It's convenient -- and it opens the door to training camps, exchanges, even youth programs in the future," said Lei Sao Keong, editor-in-chief of the Macau Sports Channel.
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.
China's northbound travel scheme fuels tourism, sports development in Zhuhai
