THE Shatoujiao Border Special Administrative Zone, or Zhongying Street, has recorded a sharp rise in visitors this year, emerging as a popular destination for family outings, study tours, and group travel during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.

According to the Shenzhen entry–exit inspection and quarantine bureau, more than 450,000 passenger movements were logged at Zhongying Street, known as Chung Ying Street in Hong Kong, between Oct. 1 and 8.

From Jan. 1, 2025 to now, cumulative passenger throughput at Zhongying Street has surpassed 10 million, reaching the milestone 30 days earlier than in 2024.

Authorities attribute the growth to stronger travel demand and a package of facilitation measures introduced by the Shatoujiao Border Inspection Station.

In January, the station launched an online application for a single-use Shatoujiao Border Special Administrative Zone Permit, a convenience measure that reduces required documents, shortens processing time, streamlines procedures, and waives in-person certificate collection.

The initiative has benefited nearly 2.8 million visitors. On-site improvements — optimized channel layouts, deployment of mobile inspection terminals, and temporary manual inspection counters — have been put in place to speed up crossings and improve orderliness.

The 4-meter-wide street in Shatoujiao Subdistrict is a historic site. Before Hong Kong was returned to the motherland in 1997, the east of the street was Chinese territory while the west side was under the jurisdiction of Britain, giving the street its name, which literally means “Sino-British Street.”

The street today is a tourist destination lined with duty-free shops and small stores selling local specialties. Visitors can drop by the Zhongying Street History Museum, capture some snapshots of an ancient water well and a big bell, or simply take a walk along the beautiful coast and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.(Lian Jiaqi)