National Day holiday sees travel surge between Shenzhen, Hong Kong

Cross-border travel soared between Hong Kong and Shenzhen City of south China's Guangdong Province during the week-long National Day holiday which ended Wednesday, driven by visitors seeking high-end dining, blockbuster movies, and cultural events.

Shenzhen’s land border crossings recorded a peak daily volume of nearly one million two-way trips over the break. From family visits and sightseeing to retail sprees and art gallery outings, the expanding range of activities enjoyed by Hong Kong residents highlights the Greater Bay Area's "one-hour living circle", an integrated network of high-speed rail and bridges that allows residents to cross municipal borders to dine, shop, and socialize within 60 minutes.

This trend was on full display in Shenzhen's Nanshan District, where crowds packed a seaside cultural and arts area. Many Hong Kong visitors hopped directly onto the metro after crossing at Shenzhen Bay Port. While shopping and buying daily necessities remain popular, deeper leisure activities and premium lifestyle experiences are fast becoming the main attraction.

"I think the pet restaurants and pet boarding services are exceptionally well-run. I also had a good experience today -- many of the facilities have both indoor and outdoor areas where people can walk, socialize, and even receive training. They've done a really good job in this regard," said a Hong Kong tourist.

Catching the latest film releases has become a favorite pastime for many Hong Kong visitors. Over the holiday, more than a dozen movies debuted across diverse genres, from thrillers and comedies to action blockbusters and family animations, drawing steady crowds to local cinemas.

Traditional cultural experiences have emerged as another standout highlight. From heritage displays to local folk showcases, Hong Kong residents are increasingly seeking out rich cultural immersion alongside their holiday itineraries.

"I really like it because it's hard to find things like this in Hong Kong. There's so much here related to intangible cultural heritage, art and culture," said a Hong Kong visitor.

Meanwhile, cultural consumption saw renewed momentum, with visitor numbers at Shenzhen's major art museums, galleries and concert halls skyrocketing during the holiday. At the Shenzhen Art Museum, daily visitor numbers averaged around 3,000 during the holiday, as high-caliber exhibitions attracted art lovers from Hong Kong, Macao, and abroad.

Li Jingjing, a Shenzhen Customs officer, said the surge reflects the growing accessibility of cross-border lifestyle options.

"Currently, travelers can choose from a variety of modes of transportation to travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, including subway, high-speed rail, driving, water transport and air travel. The main land border crossings are the seven ports of Huanggang, Futian, Luohu, Shenzhen Bay, Liantang, Wenjindu and West Kowloon Station on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. In addition, there are water transport ports such as the Shekou Cruise Homeport. Among these, the Huanggang Port offers 24-hour clearance services," she said.

National Day holiday sees travel surge between Shenzhen, Hong Kong

Civilians in Yemen continue to flee their homes amid the ongoing conflict, as the humanitarian crisis worsens by the day, UN humanitarians said Wednesday.

Since Aug. 1, more than 184,000 people have been displaced nationwide, including over 21,000 people in the past week alone, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, citing the International Organization for Migration.

According to OCHA, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have reached more than 126,000 people with life-saving assistance. Nevertheless, it warned that needs continue to outpace the resources available.

The World Health Organization warned of major funding shortfalls as rising displacement, disease outbreaks and conflict put more pressure on an already fragile health system, OCHA said. "Cholera cases have tripled in recent weeks -- including in displacement camps -- while measles, dengue and malaria continue to spread."

Key roads connecting Taiz governorate with major surrounding cities, including Hodeidah, Aden and Sanaa, remain blocked, the office said, adding that the closure severely restricts the movement of civilians and commercial supplies, as well as humanitarian access.

Shortages of essential commodities and medical supplies are being reported, with sharp increases in food and fuel prices, and growing concerns over the availability of flour, cooking gas and medicines, OCHA said.

The office said it was alarmed by reports of civilian casualties, damage to civilian property and heightened risks from explosive hazards, which are further constraining humanitarian access and the safe movement of civilians.

"OCHA continues to assess the humanitarian impact and calls on all parties to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarians' efforts to safely and swiftly reach them with the support they need," it said.

Civilians in Yemen continue to flee homes amid insecurity: UN