The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL), a vital cross-border traffic artery, saw a record 608,000 passenger trips over the Labor Day holiday from May 1 to 5, marking a 28 percent year-on-year increase.

On May 1, it experienced its highest daily passenger volume at 131,000.

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The link recorded 321,000 trips from the mainland to Hong Kong during the break, and 287,000 journeys in the opposite direction, with Shenzhen and Hong Kong serving as major hubs.

May 1, the start of the five-day holiday in the mainland, witnessed the highest number of trips from the mainland to Hong Kong via the XRL, as passengers explored a variety of tourism landmarks, like Hong Kong Disneyland, in the metropolis.

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Residents of Hong Kong had a one-day break on May 1, a regular workday on May 2 and a three-day short holiday from May 3 to 5, comprising a weekend and Buddha's Birthday.

May 3, therefore, saw the highest number of trips from Hong Kong to the mainland by high-speed rail, with tourists traveling to enjoy the diverse cultural experiences, art performances and shopping promotions available in mainland cities.

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Since it became fully operational in 2018, the XRL has continuously expanded, currently connecting 93 mainland destinations. Since October 2024, it has been operating high-speed sleeper trains from Hong Kong to Beijing and Shanghai, enabling passengers to make better use of their travel time.