HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has emerged as a top destination for Chinese mainland outbound tourists, recording over 300,000 visits as of 4:00 pm on Thursday, the first day of the five-day Labor Day holiday, of whom more than 182,000 were from the mainland.

The concept of eco-tourism has gained traction among visitors, who are seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of cities. On Thursday morning, a large crowd of Chinese mainland visitors, equipped with professional hiking gear, passed through the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point, eager to explore the city's natural beauty.

Jiang, a tourist from Changsha, Central China's Hunan province, expressed her excitement about hiking the iconic MacLehose Trail, a tough but rewarding route with some of the most stunning mountain and sea views, which has been hailed by the National Geographic magazine as one of the world's best trekking routes. Her itinerary includes three days of the hiking, followed by two days of "citywalk".

At the West Kowloon Station, the arrival hall buzzed with activity. Chan, a visitor from Southeast China's Fujian province, recalled that his previous trips to the SAR were merely stopovers. This time, however, he decided to fully experience the city's attractions.

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"I haven't set a budget cap for this trip; I want to return with unforgettable memories," he said. He booked a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui near Victoria Harbour, easily accessible to Hong Kong's must-see tourist spots.

To reinforce its traditional strengths while innovating service models to improve visitor experiences and satisfaction, the Hong Kong Tourism Board launched a special consultation webpage for the Labor Day holiday, featuring information on attraction hours and hiking tips.

For the convenience of hikers, shuttle bus services to Sai Kung, where the MacLehose Trail starts, have increased in frequency and now support mobile payment options. Approximately 19 shopping malls are offering discounts and cashback promotions, and some hotels have introduced panda-themed suites with corresponding dining experiences.

In addition to these attractions, traditional cultural events such as the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival are taking place during the holiday period. On Thursday evening, a themed drone show lit up the waterfront of Wanchai, featuring classic scenes from such intangible cultural heritage as the Bun Festival and the dance of Qilin, all set against the backdrop of the city skyline.

The nearly 12-minute spectacle concluded with a display of the characters for peace and good fortune, drawing cheers from the audience and leaving visitors eager for their upcoming adventures in the HKSAR.

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The Travel Industry Authority reported that on Thursday, the city's Labor Day, also Day One of the mainland's five-day Labor Day holiday, 258 tour groups from the mainland visited the city, marking a strong start to the holiday season.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Immigration Department has predicted more than 800,000 visits from the mainland during the Labor Day holiday period.