Longer border hours for New Year

Service hours at two border checkpoints will be extended in the early hours of New Year's Day, according to a government statement.

Shenzhen Bay Control Point, which usually closes at midnight, will stay open throughout the night, while Lo Wu Control Point will stay open an extra two hours longer than normal until 2am.

East Rail Line services will be extended, with the last train to Lo Wu leaving Admiralty at 12.56 am.

Private cars, other than those with permits for the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint, will be able to cross the border via the Shenzhen Bay port, the statement read.

An emergency transport coordination center will operate round-the-clock to monitor traffic conditions and public transport services, and will carry out contingency measures when necessary to meet service demands.

A government spokesman thanked mainland authorities for making the special arrangements.

"The full support and co-ordination of the leaders and relevant departments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality are crucial to the implementation of the special boundary-crossing arrangements, reflecting the effective and close co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen," he said.

In addition to exploring Hong Kong, international tourists can take a short ferry ride to the vibrant city of Macao. For a limited time until December 31, the Macao Government Tourism Office is offering complimentary one-way tickets for direct ferry services from Hong Kong to Macao. A seamless and complimentary bus journey from Hong Kong International Airport to the Macao Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is available as well. Kindly note that the tickets are limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/article/promotion/fly-you-to-macao?gad_source=1&gclid=cj0kcqia57g5bhduarisacgcynwcvksriwlqve0kwemuexkvhhge-tauy8ferkru3uc-q7yxypmb48kaamzdealw_wcb