Shenzhen, China – The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge is set to be commissioned this Sunday, June 30th, with the official ceremony scheduled for the morning and the bridge opening for service at 3 PM. This significant new sea crossing aims to enhance travel convenience for Hongkongers heading north.
Enhanced Travel Convenience
Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, highlighted that the new bridge will offer a more straightforward route for travelers from Hong Kong to Zhongshan, bypassing the need to go through Fumun. This development is expected to reduce travel time by 1.5 hours, making the journey approximately half an hour.
Boost to Tourism
Yeung also anticipates that the new bridge will attract tourists from northern regions to visit cities in the Bay Area, including Hong Kong. This infrastructure is seen as a catalyst for increasing the influx of visitors and enhancing regional connectivity.
Inaugural Tours
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, revealed that five guided tours involving over 200 tourists are scheduled to travel through the sea crossing on its opening day. The tours will include visits to the former residence of Sun Yat-sen, a lunch break, and a return to Hong Kong via the bridge on the same day.
Expected Surge in Tourism
Chui predicts a substantial increase in the number of tourists traveling from Hong Kong to Guangdong this summer. With the reduced travel time, he expects the number of tourists to double, underscoring the bridge’s potential to facilitate greater regional tourism.
Bridge Specifications
After seven years of construction, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge passed its acceptance checks on June 16. Spanning approximately 24 kilometers and featuring eight lanes for both directions, the bridge comprises a series of bridges, islands, tunnels, and underwater interchanges, linking Shenzhen and Zhongshan in a seamless transit network.
The opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge marks a pivotal moment in enhancing connectivity and fostering tourism between Hong Kong and the Guangdong region. As the bridge begins operation, it promises to significantly improve travel efficiency and stimulate economic and cultural exchanges within the Bay Area.