Hong Kong readies for Golden Week crowds: 8.8 million border trips, 23 minute harbour fireworks, and citywide transport boost

A holiday week set to test Hong Kong travel network

Hong Kong is preparing for one of its busiest Golden Weeks in years. City authorities project about 8.76 million passenger movements across land, sea, and air control points between October 1 and October 8, a rise of roughly 22 percent from the same period last year. The heaviest flows are expected on Wednesday and Saturday, which align with National Day (October 1) and the first weekend of the break. The surge will test border checkpoints, city roads, and public transport, which are all activating special plans.

Tourism leaders expect around 1.5 million visitors from mainland China during the holiday, which doubles as Mid Autumn Festival week on October 6. The extended mainland holiday lasts eight days this year. The city will mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with a 23 minute fireworks show over Victoria Harbour at 8 pm on October 1. Authorities are also coordinating cultural programs, free tram rides, additional cross harbour ferry services, and discounted cinema tickets to draw residents and visitors into popular districts.

To keep the border moving, the Immigration Department will open about 700 automated clearance lanes across checkpoints and publish real time information on wait times and shuttle links through its Easy Boundary platform. Police will run large scale crowd control operations along the waterfront. The MTR Corporation is adding more than 570 train trips across the network during the period, and extra services are planned on the High Speed Rail Hong Kong Section for the peak travel days. Major roads on both sides of the harbour will close in phases around the fireworks display to handle large crowds arriving on foot.

The expected crowds will be the largest since 2018 by some tourism measures. City services are preparing for long lines at attractions, waterfront promenades filled with spectators, and late night travel after evening events.

How heavy will cross border traffic be

The Immigration Department estimates about 8.76 million passenger trips across Hong Kong’s control points between October 1 and 8. That compares with 7.16 million in the same period last year. The forecast reflects both a fuller Mainland holiday calendar and robust demand for short distance travel across the Greater Bay Area.

Nationally, officials expect average daily cross border movements at major Chinese ports to exceed 2 million during the combined holiday period. Land ports that link the Greater Bay Area, including crossing points serving Shenzhen and Zhuhai, are expected to see strong flows. Hong Kong’s passenger volumes will be driven by residents departing for the Mainland and inbound visitors heading into the city for shopping, dining, and the fireworks.

Busiest days and pinch points

Traffic is predicted to peak on October 1 and again on October 6. Land boundary crossings typically see the tightest queues during morning outbound waves and late evening return flows. Travellers using popular northbound routes at Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, and Shenzhen Bay should plan for extra time or consider travel during shoulder periods in the afternoon. The Easy Boundary platform provides live updates on average wait times at each crossing, which helps travellers decide when and where to cross.

Where and when to watch the fireworks

The fireworks display begins at 8 pm on October 1 and is scheduled to last around 23 minutes over Victoria Harbour between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. The event marks the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and will feature themed scenes, including motifs inspired by Chinese animation and the upcoming National Games. Organisers expect about 290,000 spectators along both sides of the harbour.

Large barges will be positioned in the central fairway to launch the shells. A hospitality guide for visitors indicates the show will fire more than 30,000 shells in sequences synchronized to music. Admission is free from all public waterfront locations.

Prime viewing areas include the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and Avenue of Stars, the Central Harbourfront and Tamar Park, and the West Kowloon Cultural District. North Point East Coast Park Precinct offers a more spacious vantage point with fewer crowds for those willing to travel a bit farther. Arrive early, ideally two to four hours ahead, to secure a clear line of sight. Bring water, weather protection, and comfortable shoes since many roads close and long walks are common.

The city is pairing the fireworks with cultural programs that showcase heritage traditions. The chairman of the Travel Industry Council, Tommy Tam Kwong-shun, said that intangible heritage events remain a strong draw during the holiday week.

Besides the many large and small-scale events this year, such as the National Day fireworks, there will be Intangible Cultural Heritage events during the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. Visitors really appreciate this, as well as the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival at Victoria Park, which should also attract them.

Road closures and crowd control around the harbour

Police will implement extensive crowd control along both shores of Victoria Harbour. In Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon, crowd management measures and road closures will begin in the late afternoon, with phased closures starting from around 5 pm. Buses will divert to temporary stops and some taxi stands will be moved away from waterfront zones. Pedestrian control barriers and one way foot traffic may be used in dense corridors to keep people moving safely.

On Hong Kong Island, roads around Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai, and Central will close in phases. The closures aim to separate vehicular traffic from pedestrian flows heading for the waterfront promenades and viewing decks. Drivers should expect restricted access around Central and Wan Chai during peak hours, along with parking restrictions in core harbourfront areas.

Marine traffic will also be controlled. Portions of Victoria Harbour will be designated for fireworks barges, with exclusion zones for other vessels during the show. Operators should observe guidance from the Marine Department and marine police and keep well clear of restricted areas.

Public transport: extra trains and overnight service

To handle holiday crowds, the MTR is introducing more than 570 additional train trips from September 26 through October 8. On National Day, extra trains will run on major lines, including the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line, and Tuen Ma Line, especially in the afternoon and evening. After Mid Autumn Festival events on October 6, the railway will provide overnight services on most local lines to help late night travellers get home. The MTR advises passengers to allow extra time, follow station signage, and listen to announcements when stations become crowded.

Cross boundary services are being expanded during Golden Week. The East Rail Line will add northbound and southbound trains to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau. The High Speed Rail Hong Kong Section will operate 13 extra pairs of short haul trains daily between October 1 and 8. On October 4, a record 120 pairs of trains will run between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and mainland destinations.

Station management will be reinforced at busy interchanges and border stations. Additional staff will help direct queues, courtesy channels will assist elderly passengers and families, and upgraded mobile and Wi Fi coverage at major hubs will make it easier for travellers to stay connected while they wait.

Border crossing tips and tools

The Immigration Department is scaling up electronic clearance to speed up movement at land checkpoints. About 700 automated channels will be available citywide during the holiday period. Travellers can use the Easy Boundary platform for live updates on average wait times at each control point as well as info on shuttle buses and connecting services. These tools are useful for avoiding peak rushes at Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, and Shenzhen Bay.

• Travel during shoulder hours where possible, such as late morning outbound and mid afternoon inbound, to avoid peak surges.
• Check passport validity and entry documents before leaving home. Keep identity papers ready for inspection to shorten time at the gate.
• Use automated channels if eligible. Families with young children or bulky luggage should follow signage to staffed counters or courtesy lanes.
• Build buffer time into itineraries. Even with extra staffing, holiday surges can cause unpredictable queues at both immigration and transport.

Why the numbers are surging this year

This year’s National Day holiday aligns with Mid Autumn Festival, producing an eight day break on the Mainland from October 1 to 8. Longer holidays tend to encourage both regional trips and family visits, which lift cross border traffic in southern China. Recovery in international flights and a return to routine weekend travel within the Greater Bay Area have strengthened passenger flows since the summer.

Rail travel has been a standout. By late August, the Guangzhou Shenzhen Hong Kong high speed railway carried more than 20 million passengers in 2025, up more than 16 percent year on year. Cross border commuting between Hong Kong and Shenzhen now accounts for a large share of that traffic, and holiday periods push daily ridership to new peaks. Tourism leaders also expect Hong Kong’s inbound tally for the week to approach the 2018 high of around 1.52 million mainland visitors.

Visitor experience: events, promotions and viewing spots

City agencies and cultural groups are staging a broad lineup of celebrations across Golden Week. In addition to the harbour fireworks, residents and visitors can expect free tram rides, enhanced cross harbour ferry services, and discounted movie tickets on select days. Signature heritage events linked to Mid Autumn include the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and lantern displays at Victoria Park and across districts. For official fireworks details and updates, see the government event page at cpo.gov.hk.

The waterfront can fill quickly. If you prefer more space, consider the West Kowloon Cultural District lawns, Tamar Park near Admiralty, Central Harbourfront event spaces, or the eastern side of Hong Kong Island at North Point East Coast Park Precinct. Each offers clear sight lines and ample room for families. Many restaurants and hotels also offer viewing packages, though the public promenades provide excellent views at no cost if you arrive early.

Travelers flying in or out of Hong Kong during Golden Week can check new services from the Airport Authority. A new Refund Application Platform for the air passenger departure tax launches on October 1 for eligible passengers. The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Golden Week information hub carries practical updates on peak times at attractions and boundary crossings.

Marine safety and harbour restrictions

During the fireworks display, parts of the central fairway will be closed to regular marine traffic to create safe zones for the launch barges. Vessel operators should monitor Marine Department notices and heed any temporary exclusion areas. Marine police have reminded operators that drinking or drug use at the helm carries heavy penalties. Safety checks will be stepped up around the harbour approaches, and improper anchoring near restricted zones may draw enforcement action.

Economic stakes for aviation and tourism

Airlines and transport operators have positioned for a strong holiday surge. Big data from industry platforms points to an upswing in flight searches and bookings ahead of the eight day break, with domestic ticket reservations on the Mainland running well ahead of last year and international bookings also higher year on year. The Civil Aviation Administration has been guiding carriers to add capacity where possible while avoiding wasteful scheduling. With load factors high and fuel prices more stable, analysts expect stronger revenue per seat during peak weeks.

Hong Kong’s own aviation hub is seeing momentum. Cathay Pacific Group carried 24 percent more passengers in July compared with a year earlier, while its low cost sister airline HK Express reported steady network expansion. The Golden Week overlap with Mid Autumn is expected to push leisure travel demand in October, supporting both outbound trips by Hong Kong residents and inbound flows from the Mainland. A strong performance on the high speed rail line adds to the picture, as West Kowloon Station prepares for record service levels on October 4.

For the city economy, the week brings a welcome lift to hospitality, retail, and dining. About 1,300 mainland tour groups are expected between October 1 and 8. Waterfront restaurants, harbor cruise operators, shopping districts in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, and cultural venues hosting holiday programs are likely to see heavy foot traffic.

What to Know

• About 8.76 million passenger trips are expected across Hong Kong’s borders between October 1 and 8, up roughly 22 percent year on year.
• The National Day fireworks start at 8 pm on October 1 and will last about 23 minutes over Victoria Harbour.
• Organisers expect around 290,000 spectators along both sides of the harbour for the show.
• Police will close roads in phases from late afternoon in Tsim Sha Tsui, West Kowloon, Wan Chai, and Central to manage crowds.
• The MTR will add more than 570 train trips during the period and run overnight services after Mid Autumn events on October 6.
• The High Speed Rail Hong Kong Section will run 13 extra pairs of trains daily from October 1 to 8, with a record 120 pairs on October 4.
• About 700 automated immigration channels will be open, and the Easy Boundary platform provides live wait time updates.
• Prime fireworks viewing spots include Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, Central Harbourfront, Tamar Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, and North Point East Coast Park Precinct.
• Marine exclusion zones will be in force during the show, and marine police will conduct safety checks.
• The Airport Authority is launching a new platform on October 1 for eligible passengers to apply for air passenger departure tax refunds.