Hong Kong Braces for Unprecedented 11.38 Million Border Crossings Over Lunar New Year
Immigration authorities prepare enhanced measures as cross-boundary travel surges to a forecast record, reflecting robust post-pandemic mobility
Hong Kong is preparing for an exceptional surge in travel during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday period, with the Immigration Department forecasting around 11.38 million border crossings over the ten-day festive season beginning February fourteenth.
This figure represents an estimated sixteen per cent increase in arrivals and departures compared with the same period in 2025 and underscores a significant rebound in cross-boundary movement of residents and visitors alike.
Officials said the vast majority of the anticipated trips — about 9.52 million — are expected to occur through land boundary control points linking Hong Kong with neighbouring mainland cities, with Lo Wu, the Lok Ma Chau spur line and Shenzhen Bay among the busiest.
Authorities have advised travellers to plan their journeys ahead of time and to make use of automated clearance services where eligible to help ease congestion at peak times.
The busiest days are projected to be Saturday, the eve of the official mainland holiday, and Sunday, February twenty-second, when outbound and inbound traffic are both forecast to peak.
To manage the anticipated heavy flows, the Immigration Department has suspended leave for frontline staff, opened additional counters and temporary channels, and boosted manpower at key checkpoints.
A joint command centre involving the Police Force, Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation has been established at Lo Wu to coordinate responses to real-time traffic conditions.
All immigration control points will maintain their existing operating hours throughout the holiday period, with some, including Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge port, continuing round-the-clock operations.
Residents and visitors have been encouraged to consult the Easy Boundary online platform for up-to-date information on waiting times and crossing conditions.
The projected volume of border movements not only reflects heightened holiday travel but also signals continued recovery in business and tourism activity following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.
This figure represents an estimated sixteen per cent increase in arrivals and departures compared with the same period in 2025 and underscores a significant rebound in cross-boundary movement of residents and visitors alike.
Officials said the vast majority of the anticipated trips — about 9.52 million — are expected to occur through land boundary control points linking Hong Kong with neighbouring mainland cities, with Lo Wu, the Lok Ma Chau spur line and Shenzhen Bay among the busiest.
Authorities have advised travellers to plan their journeys ahead of time and to make use of automated clearance services where eligible to help ease congestion at peak times.
The busiest days are projected to be Saturday, the eve of the official mainland holiday, and Sunday, February twenty-second, when outbound and inbound traffic are both forecast to peak.
To manage the anticipated heavy flows, the Immigration Department has suspended leave for frontline staff, opened additional counters and temporary channels, and boosted manpower at key checkpoints.
A joint command centre involving the Police Force, Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation has been established at Lo Wu to coordinate responses to real-time traffic conditions.
All immigration control points will maintain their existing operating hours throughout the holiday period, with some, including Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge port, continuing round-the-clock operations.
Residents and visitors have been encouraged to consult the Easy Boundary online platform for up-to-date information on waiting times and crossing conditions.
The projected volume of border movements not only reflects heightened holiday travel but also signals continued recovery in business and tourism activity following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.
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