About 2.5 million border crossings are expected between Shenzhen and Hong Kong over the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday starting Saturday, as both cities prepare for an influx of visitors on one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

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Daily crossings are set to reach 820,000 on average across the long weekend, peaking at 860,000, according to the Shenzhen government department in charge of border affairs.

Across the border, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is staging five big events this month to woo Chinese mainland tourists. They include a summer chill food feast starting Saturday, dragon boat-themed drone show on Monday, pyrotechnic display on June 15, and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races on June 15-16

With 220,000 cross-boundary journeys expected on average per day, Luohu is forecast to be the busiest checkpoint, followed by Futian on 210,000 and Shenzhen Bay’s 120,000.

READ MORE: Dragon Boat Festival: China expects 30% surge in border crossings

Cross-boundary trips via Liantang Port and West Kowloon Station are projected to reach 90,000 and 95,000 respectively each day over the holiday.

READ MORE: Cross-boundary travel at Liantang Port hits 10 million

“We will open all the express and artificial channels at the border during the holiday period,” said Hao Lingling, an official from Shenzhen’s Huanggang checkpoint. “Also, we will deploy more mobile inspection devices to ensure that travelers go through the customs in a fast and efficient way.”

Shenzhen is hosting a series of traditional cultural activities during the festival, while its shopping malls seek to attract visitors with promotional activities.

Across the border, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is staging five big events this month to woo Chinese mainland tourists. They include a summer chill food feast starting Saturday, dragon boat-themed drone show on Monday, pyrotechnic display on June 15, and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races on June 15-16.

“I plan to go to Hong Kong with my daughter on Sunday, where we are going to see an exhibition,” said Liu Jiana, a 42-year-old mother who works at an information technology company in Shenzhen.

“Although I have been to Hong Kong for multiple times, I never get tired of visiting it. Just a city walk makes me feel relaxed and refreshed, not to mention the cultural sites and different kinds of food from across the world.”

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The upcoming holiday will also boost travel between Zhuhai and Macao, with 320,000 daily cross-boundary journeys expected at Gongbei Port.

More than 100,000 trips are forecast to be made via Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge each day during the holiday period.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com