https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/64655/feed The Chinese "golden week" refers either of the two week-long holidays around National Day on October 1, and the lunar calendar Spring Festival which usually falls in January or February of each year. Tens of millions of Chinese travel by air, train and road to family reunions, vacations or shopping centres during these holidays. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg He Huifeng He Huifeng For Guangzhou resident Claire Kou, this autumn brought a welcome surprise: “hairy crab freedom”, the ability to enjoy the beloved Chinese delicacy without worrying about its traditionally high price tag. During the National Day holiday earlier this month, Kou ordered four female hairy crabs, each weighing about 100 grams (3.5 ounces), via an online grocery platform for just 70 yuan (US$10.5). Female crabs are often considered desirable because they carry a lot of bright reddish-orange roe,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3371598/hairy-crab-freedom-chinese-delicacys-price-tag-drops-amid-high-output-weakened-demand https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3371598/hairy-crab-freedom-chinese-delicacys-price-tag-drops-amid-high-output-weakened-demand Sun, 25 Oct 2026 07:00:09 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian As China’s housing market downturn enters its fifth year, global investment banks including Goldman Sachs and Citi say they expect the sector to pivot as soon as 2027, with expectations fuelled by signs of shrinking supply and robust sales over the National Day holiday in early October. Citi holds a positive view on the sector and saw 2027 as a pivotal year for home price recovery in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Home prices in China hit their lowest point in June 2024, according to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3371618/2027-turning-point-goldman-citi-see-stabilising-signs-chinas-housing-market https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3371618/2027-turning-point-goldman-citi-see-stabilising-signs-chinas-housing-market Wed, 21 Oct 2026 07:15:17 +0000 Sherry Wang,Xinyi Wu Sherry Wang,Xinyi Wu China’s trade momentum gained pace in September – driven by strong global tech demand and a pre-holiday shipping rush ahead of the “golden week” break – logging a monthly high for its trade surplus in 2026 and putting the country on course for another record gap this year. Outbound shipments rose 36.3 per cent year on year to US$447.18 billion last month, customs data showed on Wednesday. The figure exceeded a forecast of 25.7 per cent growth from economists polled by financial data provider... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370799/chinas-trade-momentum-quickens-september-amid-tech-demand-holiday-rush https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370799/chinas-trade-momentum-quickens-september-amid-tech-demand-holiday-rush Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:35:08 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat For Xiao Lei, a gold seller in Shenzhen’s Shuibei district, China’s week-long National Day holiday has meant a rush of customers and a heavier workload, as shoppers flock to buy jewellery at lower prices. Shuibei, a sprawling gold and jewellery trading district in a city better known for its technology industry, is one of China’s largest wholesale hubs for the precious metal. Xiao said customer traffic at her shop had risen sharply during the holiday. “We’ve had all kinds of customers, including... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370336/shenzhen-market-golden-week-tourists-flock-buy-discount-gold-jewellery https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370336/shenzhen-market-golden-week-tourists-flock-buy-discount-gold-jewellery Sat, 10 Oct 2026 04:00:11 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Hotel room rates across mainland China fell short of expectations during the National Day “golden week” holiday despite a tourism boom, as company officials and analysts called for stronger asset and revenue management to ease pricing pressure. Hotel tariffs remained largely unchanged from the previous month between October 1 and 7, even as bookings jumped, according to executives at hotel operators and travel agencies. “The days when hotels and resorts could expect a windfall during the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3370279/chinas-hotel-room-rates-disappoint-during-golden-week-despite-tourism-boom https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3370279/chinas-hotel-room-rates-disappoint-during-golden-week-despite-tourism-boom Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The National Day “golden week” has long been a barometer of Hong Kong’s tourism and business health. While there was a reassuring uptick in visitor numbers and business activity this year, the figures also underscore the more complex and challenging environment facing various sectors. The simultaneous outflow of residents heading north, combined with evolving spending patterns among southbound mainland visitors, continues to put the city’s tourism facilities and business adaptability to a stern... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3370168/hong-kong-businesses-must-stay-agile-attract-tourists https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3370168/hong-kong-businesses-must-stay-agile-attract-tourists Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s development chief has dismissed concerns that commercial floor space in the Northern Metropolis megaproject will further depress the city’s struggling office market, stressing that incoming supply is primarily for the innovation and technology (I&T) sector. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho told the Legislative Council on Thursday that the 1 million square metres (10.8 million square feet) of economic floor space to be provided in the megaproject next to the Shenzhen... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370199/development-chief-dismisses-fears-northern-metropolis-supply-will-hit-office-sector https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370199/development-chief-dismisses-fears-northern-metropolis-supply-will-hit-office-sector Thu, 08 Oct 2026 10:56:32 +0000 Sylvia Ma,Ralph Jennings Sylvia Ma,Ralph Jennings China’s National Day holiday saw travel remain broadly stable as the break – an extended length of time compared with 2025 – supported longer-distance trips, though cinema cooled sharply, offering mixed signals on efforts to revive consumer spending. Over the seven-day break, which ended on Wednesday, China recorded 2.142 billion cross-regional passenger trips, averaging 306 million a day, up 0.7 per cent year on year, according to the Ministry of Transport, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370156/chinas-national-day-holiday-sees-uptick-longer-trips-overseas-travel https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370156/chinas-national-day-holiday-sees-uptick-longer-trips-overseas-travel Thu, 08 Oct 2026 07:01:14 +0000 Wynna Wong,Lexi Tian Wynna Wong,Lexi Tian Hong Kong recorded more mainland Chinese visitor arrivals during the National Day “golden week” holiday than predicted, surpassing last year’s total despite the break being one day shorter as malls and hotel operators reported brisk business. The city welcomed more than 1.41 million mainland arrivals during the seven-day holiday, exceeding the government’s forecast of 1.29 million, according to Immigration Department figures. More than 1.4 million mainland visitors arrived during the same... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370095/mainland-chinese-arrivals-hong-kong-beat-golden-week-forecast-just-6-days https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370095/mainland-chinese-arrivals-hong-kong-beat-golden-week-forecast-just-6-days Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:30:05 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu About 100 incidents of visitors catching sea cucumbers and digging up sea snails and clams were recorded at a popular spot in Hong Kong’s Unesco-listed geopark on a single day of the National Day “golden week”, a green group has found, following similar incidents last year. The Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung was also strewn with rubbish on a separate day, Greenpeace said on Tuesday. At nearby Long Ke Beach, the group recorded nearly 90 instances of environmentally... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3369939/greenpeace-catches-hong-kong-geopark-golden-week-visitors-damaging-marine-life https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3369939/greenpeace-catches-hong-kong-geopark-golden-week-visitors-damaging-marine-life Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:39:35 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings A railway station in Guangzhou has set a national record for trips in a single day and drawn attention for the frequency of bullet train departures – one every 40 seconds – during this month’s holiday period, according to the Guangdong provincial government. Guangzhou South Railway Station handled 1,252 train services and just over 1 million trips on October 1, the start of the seven-day National Day holiday across mainland China, the publicity department of the province’s Communist Party... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3369883/train-every-40-seconds-how-chinese-rail-station-handled-record-1-million-trips-day https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3369883/train-every-40-seconds-how-chinese-rail-station-handled-record-1-million-trips-day Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:39:41 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong aviation authorities are investigating suspected illegal drone flying over Victoria Harbour during last week’s National Day fireworks display, after privately shot footage of the show went viral online. The footage drew the attention of local internet users after a mainland visitor, who came to Hong Kong during the “golden week” holiday, posted clips of the 23-minute display on his social media account over the weekend. The man, who calls himself Su Fan on RedNote, a popular platform... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369827/authorities-investigate-viral-drone-footage-during-national-day-fireworks-display https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369827/authorities-investigate-viral-drone-footage-during-national-day-fireworks-display Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:48:37 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Funds raised through initial public offerings in Hong Kong more than doubled year on year to over HK$388 billion (US$49.4 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, already surpassing the total amount for the whole of last year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has said. Adding to the positive outlook, Clara Chan Ka-chai, CEO of the government-owned Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), noted on Sunday that more than 30 of its portfolio firms were preparing to apply for Hong Kong listings... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369688/hong-kongs-ipo-haul-more-doubles-hk388b-first-9-months-paul-chan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369688/hong-kongs-ipo-haul-more-doubles-hk388b-first-9-months-paul-chan Sun, 04 Oct 2026 06:22:57 +0000 Kristen Cheung,Lo Hoi-ying Kristen Cheung,Lo Hoi-ying Mainland Chinese visitor arrivals in Hong Kong during the first two days of the National Day “golden week” surpassed the pre-pandemic total for the same period in 2018, as a catering sector representative reported a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in restaurant receipts. The tourism chief expressed confidence on Saturday that the city would reach its annual target of 53.8 million visitors earlier than expected. The city recorded 511,311 arrivals from the mainland on Thursday and Friday,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369651/mainland-chinese-arrivals-first-2-days-golden-week-holiday-top-2018-total https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369651/mainland-chinese-arrivals-first-2-days-golden-week-holiday-top-2018-total Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:13:51 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li China’s EV charging volume on its highways hit a new high on the first day of the seven-day National Day holiday, as the country’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle fleet drives up demand for charging infrastructure. Single-day charging volume reached 28 million kWh, a 60.4 per cent increase compared with the first day of last year’s National Day holiday, marking the highest one day level during a national holiday period, according to a statement issued by the National Energy Administration on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369570/national-day-travel-surge-drives-chinas-highway-ev-charging-volume-60-new-high https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369570/national-day-travel-surge-drives-chinas-highway-ev-charging-volume-60-new-high Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Wynna Wong,Lexi Tian Wynna Wong,Lexi Tian Mainland Chinese tourists have poured into Hong Kong during the first two days of the National Day “golden week” holiday, but retailers have warned that the surge in visitor numbers is not translating into an equally strong boost in spending. The Hong Kong Retail Management Association said on Friday that visitor spending remained relatively restrained even as shopping districts were busy. “The increase in visitor numbers may be bigger than the increase in retail sales,” association chairwoman... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369535/mainland-chinese-visitors-pack-hong-kong-shopping-centres-day-2-national-day-break https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369535/mainland-chinese-visitors-pack-hong-kong-shopping-centres-day-2-national-day-break Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:33:06 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung Wet weather dampened visitor numbers at some of Hong Kong’s popular attractions on Friday morning, the second day of mainland China’s National Day “golden week” holiday. Queues at the Peak Tram terminus in Central remained short, with passengers waiting less than an hour to board. Among them was Jasper Huang, a mechanical engineer in his twenties from Xiamen, Fujian province, who was visiting Hong Kong with friends for four days. “We plan to visit some famous spots like Victoria Harbour and the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369534/rain-dampens-visitor-numbers-hong-kong-attractions-day-2-golden-week https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369534/rain-dampens-visitor-numbers-hong-kong-attractions-day-2-golden-week Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:28:31 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Thousands of Hongkongers, domestic helpers and tourists have taken advantage of the extended lantern show in Victoria Park as the National Day “golden week” holiday began in mainland China. Many people arrived early at sunset on Thursday to avoid the huge crowds that had previously gathered for the International Lantern Spectacular, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which has attracted more than 500,000 visitors since its debut in September. Before many of the lanterns were turned on in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369474/extended-victoria-park-lantern-show-attracts-thousands-national-day https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369474/extended-victoria-park-lantern-show-attracts-thousands-national-day Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:41:16 +0000 Lexi Tian Lexi Tian Hongkongers flocked across the border on National Day for grocery shopping, massages and trendy 60cm-long egg tarts, citing lower prices and a wider variety of leisure activities. Immigration Department figures showed that 238,112 residents had left Hong Kong by 9pm on Thursday, while the city had welcomed 269,567 mainland Chinese visitors. At the Lok Ma Chau spur line control point, crowds of Hongkongers gathered in the morning to head north, while mainland visitors travelled in the opposite... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369458/national-day-hongkongers-visit-shenzhen-shopping-and-60cm-long-egg-tarts https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369458/national-day-hongkongers-visit-shenzhen-shopping-and-60cm-long-egg-tarts Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:48:24 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung The National Day “golden week” break is upon us, and with it comes the familiar dread: packed MTR carriages, huge crowds and a slow-moving tide of visitors. But as always, there are several ways to escape the hordes, whether that is trying experimental gelato, practising poolside yoga or checking out an exhibition of Hong Kong’s beloved neon lights. 1. Ciao! Gelato Fest 2026 The city’s first large-scale Italian gelato festival is back at PMQ for another edition, bringing together 20 brands from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3369409/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-2-4 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3369409/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-2-4 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Jess Ma,Kristen Cheung Jess Ma,Kristen Cheung Hongkongers have come out in droves to take advantage of restaurant discounts and transport promotions on National Day, while visitors have said the offers are a happy surprise. Businesses rolled out bargains and freebies to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which falls on October 1, ranging from restaurant discounts to free MTR rides. Residents were seen taking the train and visiting restaurants covered under the promotion push to capitalise on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369443/hong-kongs-national-day-perks-draw-locals-outside-pleasant-surprise-tourists https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369443/hong-kongs-national-day-perks-draw-locals-outside-pleasant-surprise-tourists Thu, 01 Oct 2026 07:55:01 +0000 Wynna Wong,Cannix Yau Wynna Wong,Cannix Yau Some Hong Kong retailers are forecasting double-digit sales growth over the National Day “golden week” holiday, but industry leaders have warned that the expected influx of mainland Chinese visitors may deliver far smaller gains across the sector as tourists remain cautious about spending. The cautious outlook came after authorities estimated that about 1.29 million mainland visitors were expected between October 1 and 7, with average daily arrivals projected to exceed last year’s figure by more... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369384/retailers-expect-golden-week-sales-growth-trade-groups-warn-modest-gains https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369384/retailers-expect-golden-week-sales-growth-trade-groups-warn-modest-gains Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Enoch Yiu,Themis Qi Enoch Yiu,Themis Qi Hong Kong commercial banks continue to offer incentives to attract mainland visitors during the first golden week after Beijing tightened cross-border investment rules and enforced the collection of a 20 per cent levy on overseas investment or insurance gains. HSBC would offer up to HK$88,000 (US$11,215) for new high-end clients, as well as experiences including a National Day fireworks dinner and tickets to the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing or a K-pop concert, according to the bank’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3369382/hong-kong-banks-set-golden-week-lures-mainland-chinese-visitors-despite-new-levies https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3369382/hong-kong-banks-set-golden-week-lures-mainland-chinese-visitors-despite-new-levies Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:39:25 +0000 Leopold Chen,Fiona Chow Leopold Chen,Fiona Chow Hong Kong’s crackdown on visitors abusing visas to illegally offer tour guide, photography and other services has failed to deter adverts for such unlicensed work on mainland Chinese social media ahead of the National Day “golden week” break, the South China Morning Post has found. A search of RedNote by the SCMP turned up accounts listing themselves as Shenzhen-based photographers offering their services in Hong Kong. Many of them also asked clients to reimburse their travel expenses between... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369247/cheap-and-illegal-mainlanders-post-social-media-adverts-services-hong-kong https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369247/cheap-and-illegal-mainlanders-post-social-media-adverts-services-hong-kong Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:35:54 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong is set to welcome 1.29 million mainland Chinese visitors over the National Day “golden week” break, fuelling questions online about what locals and tourists can do during the celebrations. On popular mainland social media platform RedNote, many users have recommended a range of activities, such as visiting the countryside, exploring the Unesco Global Geopark in Sai Kung, cycling and watching fireworks. To help tourists and locals alike, the South China Morning Post shares some of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369123/5-things-do-over-national-day-golden-week-holiday-hong-kong https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369123/5-things-do-over-national-day-golden-week-holiday-hong-kong Tue, 29 Sep 2026 03:00:12 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong is bracing for a surge of mainland Chinese visitors to its eco-sensitive areas during the National Day “golden week” holiday, as strong interest in countryside attractions raises questions over whether the city can absorb crowds without overwhelming popular sites. A review of discussions on Chinese social media platform RedNote on Monday by the South China Morning Post found Po Pin Chau, famed for its dramatic volcanic rock columns, among the most talked-about sightseeing spots,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3369108/can-hong-kong-protect-its-eco-sensitive-sites-amid-golden-week-overtourism-fears https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3369108/can-hong-kong-protect-its-eco-sensitive-sites-amid-golden-week-overtourism-fears Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s checkpoints are expected to handle about 7.44 million passenger trips over mainland China’s National Day “golden week” break, while people movements are anticipated to peak this weekend. The Immigration Department said on Monday that the figure would include inbound and outbound trips by Hongkongers and visitors travelling via the city’s sea, land and air control points between October 1 and 7. The department also said it anticipated that the most popular control points would be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369098/hong-kong-checkpoints-handle-744-million-passenger-trips-national-day-break https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369098/hong-kong-checkpoints-handle-744-million-passenger-trips-national-day-break Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:18:57 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Mainland Chinese visitors made nearly 440,000 trips to Hong Kong over the extended Mid-Autumn Festival weekend, with a tourism industry representative expecting hotel occupancy to exceed 90 per cent in popular districts during the coming National Day “golden week”. According to figures released on Monday, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department recorded 439,532 inbound trips by mainland visitors from last Friday to Sunday. The figure accounted for about a quarter of the 1.73 million inbound trips,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369026/440000-mainland-arrivals-over-mid-autumn-weekend-hotels-brace-national-day https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369026/440000-mainland-arrivals-over-mid-autumn-weekend-hotels-brace-national-day Mon, 28 Sep 2026 06:07:42 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong will celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1 with a string of offerings for locals and visitors. The National Day “golden week” holiday in mainland China, which runs from October 1 to 7, is expected to bring in about 1.29 million visitors from across the border. But Hongkongers will only have one public holiday during the period, on Thursday. The South China Morning Post lists the discounts and perks available during the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368962/fireworks-free-rides-and-dining-deals-how-celebrate-national-day-hong-kong https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368962/fireworks-free-rides-and-dining-deals-how-celebrate-national-day-hong-kong Mon, 28 Sep 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung Hikers flocking to a popular geological attraction in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung over the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend have called for real-time displays showing when time slots are available under a trial registration system. The High Island Geo Trail’s Po Pin Chau section continued to draw lines of visitors on Saturday morning – the second day of an extended weekend in mainland China. While hikers who booked a slot under a newly introduced trial registration system were seen queuing at the entrance... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368895/hikers-urge-live-updates-free-quota-spots-fix-po-pin-chau-booking-confusion https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368895/hikers-urge-live-updates-free-quota-spots-fix-po-pin-chau-booking-confusion Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:48:00 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau From restaurants and hotels to cafes and market stalls, Hong Kong’s catering industry has banded together to offer discounts of up to 30 per cent at more than 3,800 outlets to celebrate National Day on October 1. Food and catering businesses said on Thursday they would provide an array of tasty deals across the city to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Offers include meal sets at 30 per cent off, fresh food items such as vegetable packs for HK$7 (89 US... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368699/3800-hong-kong-food-outlets-offering-30-celebrate-national-day https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368699/3800-hong-kong-food-outlets-offering-30-celebrate-national-day Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:37:21 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings A three-day public holiday used to be a big deal in China. Then came “golden weeks”, which would sometimes stretch to nine days, sending millions of people in search of new sights across the country and further afield. Now an alignment of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday will give many Chinese students and office workers up to a record 13-day break, potentially pushing tourist traffic to new heights. “The more interesting change this year is not simply higher volume, but the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368623/skydiving-whale-watching-and-burst-bookings-holidays-extend-millions-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368623/skydiving-whale-watching-and-burst-bookings-holidays-extend-millions-china Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:33:29 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong is expected to welcome about 1.29 million mainland Chinese travellers over the National Day “golden week” break, with city authorities planning to step up crowd management and tighten supervision of tour agencies and retail outlets. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Hong Kong’s No 2 official, chaired a meeting with various government departments on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the holiday on the mainland, which spans October 1 to 7. On top of the expected influx of about 1.29... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368547/hong-kong-welcome-129-million-mainland-chinese-visitors-national-day-break https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368547/hong-kong-welcome-129-million-mainland-chinese-visitors-national-day-break Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:03:40 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s tourism watchdog has revoked the licences of two travel agencies and a guide after finding they failed to protect members of mainland Chinese tour groups from “coerced shopping”. The Travel Industry Authority said on Monday that the licences of Go Go Ming Travel Services, Grandee Travel Company and guide Sun Kwun-ying had been revoked with immediate effect. “The authority adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards coerced shopping and any conduct that damages the reputation of Hong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3366602/2-hong-kong-travel-agencies-guide-stripped-licences-over-coerced-shopping https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3366602/2-hong-kong-travel-agencies-guide-stripped-licences-over-coerced-shopping Mon, 07 Sep 2026 05:57:25 +0000 Eric Jiang,Leopold Chen Eric Jiang,Leopold Chen Hong Kong has launched its first countryside real-name reservation system, capping daily visitors to a popular trail in Sai Kung at 2,000 on select dates, with a lawmaker and a district councillor saying the move could gather data to help shape formal arrangements. The trial reservation system for visits to the Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung East Country Park went live at 11am on Monday, offering the first batch of slots for September 5 and 6 via Klook’s website, app and WeChat mini-programme. A... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3365057/hong-kong-launches-real-name-booking-system-popular-sai-kung-coastal-trail https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3365057/hong-kong-launches-real-name-booking-system-popular-sai-kung-coastal-trail Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:02:40 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. While the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s proposal for a Sharp Island marine park aims to protect natural resources, it falls short of safeguarding the local ecology against immediate damage. Simply designating a marine park without addressing a long-standing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3361406/manage-tourist-flow-sharp-island-better-travel-experience https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3361406/manage-tourist-flow-sharp-island-better-travel-experience Thu, 23 Jul 2026 03:30:06 +0000 David Chao David Chao In the first half of this year, leisure travel within China exploded. As the summer travel season builds towards the Mid-Autumn Festival and the “golden week” that follows National Day on October 1, domestic travel has emerged as one of China’s most important, if underappreciated, drivers of consumption and growth. During the extended Chinese New Year holiday, travel and consumer spending boomed. Domestic trips jumped to 596 million and spending surpassed 803 billion yuan (US$118.13 billion),... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3360178/chinas-consumption-has-new-fast-growing-driver-local-tourists https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3360178/chinas-consumption-has-new-fast-growing-driver-local-tourists Thu, 16 Jul 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Wynna Wong,Lo Hoi-ying Wynna Wong,Lo Hoi-ying A sea of 500 tents covered the white sands of remote Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung during a recent holiday, turning one of Hong Kong’s most scenic beaches into a makeshift campsite for crowds of overnight visitors. Some of the campers had joined tours from mainland China for the Labour Day “golden week” holiday, sleeping in rows of identical tents and gathering around camping tables for hotpot dinners, with ingredients hauled across the border by their guides. By morning, the sink in the beach’s only... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3356807/can-hong-kong-cash-ecotourism-without-trashing-its-natural-treasures https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3356807/can-hong-kong-cash-ecotourism-without-trashing-its-natural-treasures Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:30:07 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A planned marine park in waters surrounding Sharp Island in Sai Kung will cover most coral reefs, Hong Kong authorities have said, allaying a green group’s concerns about insufficient protection of ecologically sensitive areas. Janet Lee Ka-wai, senior marine conservation officer at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, also said on Wednesday that underwater mapping technology had been used to assess coral coverage and identify ecological sites. Major coral spots identified in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3356660/proposed-sai-kung-marine-park-cover-most-coral-reefs-hong-kong-authorities https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3356660/proposed-sai-kung-marine-park-cover-most-coral-reefs-hong-kong-authorities Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:54:59 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung A Hong Kong tour guide who coerced visitors into shopping has been struck off for damaging the sector’s reputation and breaching professional conduct, in the second disciplinary action of its kind in less than two months. The Travel Industry Authority said on Friday it revoked Siu Man-chung’s tour guide licence after investigating complaints that Siu made “inappropriate remarks” to pressure mainland Chinese visitors into shopping during tours between February and April. The authority said on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3356139/hong-kong-tour-guide-stripped-licence-over-coercing-visitors-shopping https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3356139/hong-kong-tour-guide-stripped-licence-over-coercing-visitors-shopping Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:00:29 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Authorities are considering a pilot booking system for one of Hong Kong’s most popular hiking routes and creating a new marine park at Sharp Island in Sai Kung, following bigger-than-expected crowds during mainland Chinese holidays. The proposals were outlined in a paper submitted to a Legislative Council ecology and tourism subcommittee ahead of a meeting on Monday. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said visitor numbers at the Po Pin Chau section of Sai Kung East Country... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3355877/booking-system-considered-protect-popular-hong-kong-hiking-trail-crowds https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3355877/booking-system-considered-protect-popular-hong-kong-hiking-trail-crowds Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak During mainland China’s recent May Day holiday, a 2,500-year-old sword went viral on Chinese social media – but not for the reason you might think. Lasting from May 1 to 5, the May Day holiday – also known as “Golden Week” – sees large numbers of domestic tourists flocking to popular travel destinations across China, including the Hubei Provincial Museum, which houses the famous Sword of Goujian. Many of them end up buying a replica of the sword in the souvenir shop. As a result, the main... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3355704/how-chinas-excalibur-east-souvenir-swords-sparked-airport-security-warning https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3355704/how-chinas-excalibur-east-souvenir-swords-sparked-airport-security-warning Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Kun Tian Kun Tian When it comes to tourism, Hong Kong is recovering footfall faster than spending and officials need to realise that the two are not the same. The city’s economy grew by 5.9 per cent year on year in the first three months, its strongest quarterly performance in almost five years, according to the Census and Statistics Department’s advance estimate. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po pointed to a 17 per cent rise in first-quarter visitor numbers and 5.2 per cent increase in retail and catering... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353469/hong-kongs-tourism-rebound-needs-new-measures-success https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353469/hong-kongs-tourism-rebound-needs-new-measures-success Wed, 20 May 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft The founder of the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge has called for a quota system to be implemented during public holidays to protect the city’s natural resources, saying recent scenes of overcrowding left him feeling “quite disturbed”. Andre Blumberg, who created the now-famous 298km ultra-marathon covering Hong Kong’s four major trails, said the city should consider adopting a reservation system akin to those seen in some national parks in the United States. “Hong Kong is really... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3354141/visitor-quotas-needed-protect-country-parks-4-trails-challenge-founder-says https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3354141/visitor-quotas-needed-protect-country-parks-4-trails-challenge-founder-says Tue, 19 May 2026 14:59:29 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The sudden collapse of Spirit Airlines is serving as a stark warning for the global aviation industry, as China’s own carriers just struggled through a disappointing May Day holiday marred by surging fuel costs and an embrace of the nation’s high-speed rail network. Hopes that the five-day “golden week” could provide a meaningful lift for airlines operating in China were dashed, as the US-Israel war with Iran, now in its third month, has caused fuel prices to nearly double. While no Chinese... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3352759/fuel-shocks-thin-margins-why-chinas-airlines-should-heed-spirits-mistakes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3352759/fuel-shocks-thin-margins-why-chinas-airlines-should-heed-spirits-mistakes Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:34 +0000 Wynna Wong,Eric Jiang Wynna Wong,Eric Jiang Hong Kong welcomed more than 1 million mainland Chinese visitors during their five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, a 10 per cent rise from a year ago, exceeding government expectations, but industry leaders have said their spending was inconsistent. Immigration Department data showed the city recorded 1.01 million mainland visitor arrivals between May 1 and 5, surpassing the forecast of 980,000. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Wednesday some shopping centre operators had reported... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352654/hong-kong-draws-over-1-million-mainland-golden-week-visitors-spending-lags https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352654/hong-kong-draws-over-1-million-mainland-golden-week-visitors-spending-lags Wed, 06 May 2026 13:51:59 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s railway network broke passenger records during the long May Day holiday as millions hit the rails. Meanwhile, a shift towards budget-conscious destinations such as the African coast, coupled with rising fuel costs, signalled a cautious consumer landscape despite the surge in mobility. China’s Ministry of Transport said on Wednesday that “cross-regional” trips during the holiday reached nearly 1.52 billion, a 3.49 per cent increase over the 2025 break, and a record high for the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3352618/chinas-may-day-travel-surges-spending-chases-value-budget-conscious-pivot https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3352618/chinas-may-day-travel-surges-spending-chases-value-budget-conscious-pivot Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s natural beauty, one of its greatest assets, is also ecologically vulnerable. Reminders of that abounded during the mainland’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday. At Sharp Island, where thousands flocked to the city’s Unesco global geopark, the authorities issued about 300 verbal warnings. At Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung East Country Park, the sheer number of visitors camping, some using hotpots, underscored the problem. On Saturday evening, an estimated 500 tents at the campsite included... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3352372/hong-kong-needs-better-protect-its-natural-assets-tourists https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3352372/hong-kong-needs-better-protect-its-natural-assets-tourists Mon, 04 May 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu Hong Kong recorded a 4.8 per cent increase in mainland Chinese visitors in the first three days of their Labour Day “golden week” holiday, but industry players warned that uneven spending and more flexible travel patterns could weigh on business despite hotel occupancy rates potentially reaching 90 per cent. Immigration Department data showed mainland Chinese made 714,765 visits to the city between May 1 and 3, up by about 4.8 per cent from 682,114 in the same period last year. Total visitor... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352395/golden-week-hong-kong-draws-more-mainland-chinese-visitors-spending-uneven https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352395/golden-week-hong-kong-draws-more-mainland-chinese-visitors-spending-uneven Mon, 04 May 2026 12:51:55 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A bird watcher saw people landing on an uninhabited island in southern Hong Kong waters known to be a regular breeding site for terns during mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday, according to a green group. Terns mainly feed on small fish and aerial insects. While about 40 species exist globally, 12 have been recorded in Hong Kong. Three species breed on Hong Kong’s outlying rocky islands during the summer, with one near Po Toi Island. On the second day of the holiday, a bird... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352388/green-group-warns-disturbance-uninhabited-island-known-breeding-seabird https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352388/green-group-warns-disturbance-uninhabited-island-known-breeding-seabird Mon, 04 May 2026 12:06:01 +0000