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TOPIC

Golden week

Golden week
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.
A crab farmer displays hairy crabs newly caught in the Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

‘Hairy crab freedom’: Chinese delicacy’s price tag drops amid high output

A growing supply of hairy crabs has produced a 35 per cent year on year price reduction as China’s appetite for the bristly crustaceans wanes.

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China property

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China exports

China’s exports surge by 36% in September, riding wave of tech demand

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China consumption

At a Shenzhen market, ‘golden week’ tourists flock to buy discount gold jewellery

A dip in gold prices and the holiday week draw tourists and shoppers to Shuibei wholesale market.

Gold wedding jewellery on display in Shenzhen’s Shuibei district. Photo: Mia Nurmamat
China consumption

China’s hotel room rates disappoint during ‘golden week’ despite tourism boom

Hotel bookings climbed during the National Day holiday, but stronger supply and cautious spending kept rates in check.

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Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong businesses must stay agile to attract tourists

While visitor numbers were up during the National Day holiday, changing travel and spending patterns mean the city’s businesses must keep adapting or risk losing out.

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Hong Kong economy

Northern Metropolis supply will not hit office sector, development chief says

Incoming supply in the megaproject is primarily for the I&T sector, Bernadette Linn tells lawmakers.

Construction progresses at a site in the Lok Ma Chau Loop. Photo: Silvia Siu
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn. Photo: Silvia Siu
China consumption

China’s National Day holiday sees uptick in longer trips, overseas travel

Extended holiday boosts long-distance travel, yet plummeting box office sales underscore challenges.

Hong Kong economy

Mainland arrivals beat last year’s ‘golden week’ figures despite shorter holiday

Arrivals topped 1.41 million over the seven-day holiday, as malls and hotels reported brisk trade.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Greenpeace catches Hong Kong geopark ‘golden week’ visitors damaging marine life

Green group urges visitor caps after recording incidents of damaging behaviour across popular nature spots during holiday period.

Greenpeace recorded more than 100 incidents of visitors collecting marine life and coral remains at Hap Mun Bay in a single day during "golden week". Photo: Greenpeace
China travel

Gone in 40 seconds: how a Chinese rail station tackled a record travel surge

Holiday demand pushed Guangzhou South station past 1 million trips on October 1, with bullet trains departing every 40 seconds at peak hours.

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Passengers queue at Guangzhou South Railway Station in China’s southern province of Guangdong. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong society

Authorities investigate viral drone footage of National Day fireworks display

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department investigating suspected illegal drone flight over Victoria Harbour after mainland Chinese visitor posts fireworks footage.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s IPO haul more than doubles to HK$388b in first 9 months: Paul Chan

Finance chief says amount raised has surpassed whole of 2025, while HKIC’s CEO says over 30 portfolio firms preparing to apply for listings this year.

Hong Kong tourism

Restaurant business grows 10% on first 2 days of break as arrivals top 2018 peak

Tourism chief confident city will reach annual target of 53.8 million visitors earlier than expected.

Mainland Chinese tourists pack the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui during the National Day Golden Week holiday, turning the waterfront landmark into one of Hong Kong’s busiest photo spots.
03OCT26 SCMP/ Dickson Lee
Electric & new energy vehicles

Booming EV fleet drives China’s highway charging demand to all-time holiday high

Average daily EV travel volume during the holiday could be 1.6 times the usual level as road travel will be more than 90 per cent of all trips.

An EV charging station at the M-Smart production facility in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, June 11, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Mainland tourists pack Hong Kong stores, but retailers report modest spending

Visitors hunt for gold, outdoor gear and rare books, citing favourable exchange rate, while others keep tight grip on purse strings.

Hong Kong tourism

Rain dampens visitor numbers at Hong Kong attractions on day 2 of ‘golden week’

Wet weather keeps Peak Tram queues short and drives visitors indoors, but mainland Chinese tourists still plan to spend three to four days in city.

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Hong Kong tourism

Extended Victoria Park lantern show attracts thousands for National Day

Many people arrive early to avoid huge crowds after social posts warned of past overcrowding at the International Lantern Spectacular.

Crowds gather to see the lantern festival in Victoria Park. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong tourism

National Day: Hongkongers visit Shenzhen for shopping and 60cm egg tarts

Residents head north to enjoy trending treats, cheap wellness services and warehouse grocery runs over public holiday.

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, October 2-4

An ice cream festival, yoga by the pool and a photo exhibition on Hong Kong’s neon lights are among the picks this weekend.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s National Day perks draw locals, surprise tourists

Diners at Tai Hing Restaurant praise discount drive, with one saying: ‘The bill went from HK$89 to HK$62. It’s a bargain’.

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Customers queue up outside a Tai Hing branch in Tseung Kwan O to capitalise on its National Day discount. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong tourism

Retailers expect ‘golden week’ sales growth, but trade groups warn of modest gains

About 1.29 million mainland Chinese visitors are expected over holiday, but trade groups say cautious spending could limit gains across wider sector.

A jewelry shop advertises a National Day offer in Tsim Sha Tsui. Average daily arrivals between October 1 and 7 are projected to exceed last year’s figure by more than 5 per cent. Photo: Karma Lo
Wealth management

Hong Kong banks set lures for golden week visitors despite new levies

Lenders are confident the mainland-related wealth business will remain a pillar for the industry regardless of Beijing’s tax crackdown.

Hong Kong tourism

Cheap and illegal: mainland Chinese pitch services in Hong Kong on social media

Despite recent crackdown, mainland operators use RedNote to offer tour guide or photography services in city ahead of ‘golden week’ break.

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Hong Kong tourism

5 things to do over the National Day ‘golden week’ holiday in Hong Kong

From fireworks along Victoria Harbour to cycling through the New Territories, here are five suggestions on how to spend the holiday.

Crowds enjoy the fireworks display from Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai on October 1 last year. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong tourism

Can Hong Kong protect its eco-sensitive sites amid ‘golden week’ influx fears?

City bracing for 1.29 million mainland visitors, with places such as Po Pin Chau, Cheung Chau and Wong Mau Chau topping travel itineraries.

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Scenic Po Pin Chau is among the most talked-about holiday spots on online platforms. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong checkpoints to handle 7.44 million passenger trips for National Day break

Immigration Department says figure includes inbound and outbound trips by Hongkongers and visitors using sea, land and air control points.

Hong Kong tourism

Mainland Chinese visitors make 439,532 trips to Hong Kong over Mid-Autumn break

Tourism industry representative also expects hotel occupancy of over 90 per cent in popular districts for coming National Day ‘golden week’.

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