2.3% rise in mainland visitors to Hong Kong on first day of Dragon Boat Festival

Hong Kong has recorded a 2.3 per cent increase against last year in the number of mainland Chinese tourists arriving on the first day of the Tuen Ng Festival holiday, as some opted to avoid crowds across the border and instead experience the city’s festive vibe.

Data published by the Immigration Department on Sunday showed that 139,585 visitors from the mainland arrived in the city on Saturday, the start of what is a three-day long weekend across the border.

The city also recorded 574,895 outbound trips on Saturday, slightly more than the 570,000 estimated by authorities.

The departures included 432,342 Hong Kong residents, which was also a 17 per cent drop from the 521,759 last year.

Tourists and locals headed out to soak up the festivities on Sunday, with dozens of children and their parents queuing to enjoy an interactive drum game that mimicked a dragon boat race outside the K11 Musea shopping centre.

Many also gathered near a photo spot that was set up by the Tourism Board and Ocean Park with cut-outs of six pandas and dragon boats against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.