The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has set a new record in passenger flow during the first quarter of 2025. Official data released on Monday shows that more than 7.5 million inbound and outbound passenger trips were recorded through the Zhuhai port, marking a 23% increase compared to the same period last year.
This massive 55-kilometer bridge, which connects Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR, and the city of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, is the world’s longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing. It’s not just a marvel of engineering; it’s becoming a vital gateway for travelers and commuters.
The surge in passenger flow is largely driven by the growing number of visitors from Hong Kong and Macao to the Chinese mainland. In Q1, over 4.1 million passenger trips were made by residents of Hong Kong and Macao via the port, making up 54.6% of the total passengers. Vehicle trips with plates from Hong Kong or Macao also shot up by 34%, reaching more than 880,000.
Foreign visitors are contributing to this record-breaking trend as well. Over 120,000 trips by foreign visitors were recorded at the port in the first three months of the year, up 22% year-on-year. Notably, more than 20,000 of these inbound trips were made visa-free, a remarkable surge of 122% compared to the previous year.
Since November 2023, China has been optimizing its visa-free transit policy to promote openness and enhance people-to-people exchanges. Last year, over 20.1 million foreign visitors entered the Chinese mainland under the visa exemption policy, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 113.5% in eligible transit visa-exemption travelers.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge continues to play a pivotal role in connecting regions and fostering economic and cultural exchanges. With these rising numbers, it’s clear that the bridge is not just a structural wonder but also a key facilitator in bringing people together.
