Hong Kong and Macao authorities expect around 5.71 million and 3.5 million passenger trips, respectively, during the upcoming Labor Day holiday, which is a five-day break in the Chinese mainland, the special administrative regions’ biggest source of tourists.
Both cities are preparing substantial service upgrades and organizing grand events to cope with the rush.
Authorities project that numbers will peak on Thursday, the break’s opening day, Saturday, and Monday, which concludes the vacation period and coincides with the SARs’ shared public holiday, Buddha's Birthday.
In Hong Kong, an interdepartmental working group, led by Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki, has coordinated enhanced transportation services across major border crossings, including increasing Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle buses, also known as “golden buses”, and shorten intervals to less than one minute during peak periods if demand requires.
Similarly, the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle buses, which operate around the clock to serve Huanggang port, will see service intervals reduced to approximately two minutes at maximum capacity.
Additional measures include issuing extra quotas for cross-boundary coach services; local franchised bus routes connecting various land borders will operate at frequencies exceeding normal weekend and holiday schedules, with additional vehicles and personnel on standby to accommodate fluctuating passenger numbers.
The MTR Corporation will increase East Rail Line service frequency to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations — both connecting to the checkpoints with the same name, during various time slots.
The Macao Transport Bureau is introducing temporary measures to accommodate residents' and visitors’ travel needs and ease potential heavy traffic. Key adjustments include setting up a temporary pedestrian zone in Taipa, and deploying temporary bus routes around tourism attractions such as the Border Gate, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, Nam Van Lake, and Rua do Cunha to speed up passenger flow.
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The Macao authorities will also monitor traffic conditions at border crossings and busy road sections in Centro, coordinating with two bus companies and stakeholders to adjust bus schedules and stops, and implementing temporary traffic restrictions as needed to cope with unforeseen conditions, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
Residents and tourists are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and use public transportation, and check the mobile apps and websites of the transportation operators and border checkpoints for real-time traffic updates during the bustling holiday period.
As at past festivals, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will waive toll fees for small passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer from Thursday to Monday.
The peak periods for westward travel — from Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao — will occur from 9 am to 4 pm on Thursday and Saturday, while rush hours for east-bound vehicles will be from 3 pm to midnight on Sunday and Monday.
Drivers can check the bridge’s official WeChat account to learnreal-time clearance status and congestion conditions.
Beyond transportation enhancements, both cities will present vibrant holiday offerings to treat residents and visitors.
On Thursday, a mesmerizing drone show featuring 1,000 synchronized drones will light up Wan Chai Temporary Waterfront Promenade at 8 pm, creating dynamic displays of traditional festive motifs. Simultaneously, Victoria Harbour will host a dazzling 10-minute pyrotechnic display off Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, accompanied by the A Symphony of Lights show.
The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival is set to rock the island. As the festival’s eye-catching event, the breathtaking Bun Scrambling Competition will take place at noon on Tuesday.
Celebrations continue with diverse traditional events across the city. Eastern District will honor Tam Kung's Birthday with a 300-meter-long parade in Shau Kei Wan, alongside cultural performances and Cantonese opera. At Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, visitors can participate in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony until Monday.
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Meanwhile, Macao fisher associates on Monday will organize the Feast of the Drunken Dragon — an intangible heritage event featuring drunken dances with wooden dragon heads and tails. Performers will set off in the morning from the Kuan Tai Temple near Senado Square, then parade through the streets to the Inner Harbour.
