Gates of Chung Ying Street soon open for tours: sources

Chung Ying Street in Sha Tau Kok may soon be accessible to guided tours under a "group in, group out" arrangement as early as the second quarter, according to sources.

It is suggested that plans would cap visitors at 100 to 200 per day—roughly two to three tour groups—with participants required to enter and exit as part of an organized tour. 

As the government has been promoting "local tourism", Sha Tau Kok Pier was opened in 2024, allowing non-residents to apply online for restricted area permits to visit attractions like the colorful Salmon house and other unique buildings.

However, the iconic Chung Ying Street connecting Hong Kong and Shenzhen remains closed to the public.

Hong Kong Tourism Association Executive Director Timothy Chui Ting-pong reported that visitors are most eager to visit Chung Ying Street, where they can now only catch a glimpse from outside the gate.

On the Shenzhen side of Chung Ying Street, the festive atmosphere attracts over 10,000 tourists daily during the New Year period, featuring numerous "Hong Kong-style" shops and well-known souvenir stores from Taiwan.

Lee Koon-hung, Chairman of the Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee, expressed hope that allowing visitors into Chung Ying Street would attract more tourists to the area. 

He pointed out that entry to Chung Ying Street involves additional documentation, such as the Closed Area Permits and Home Return Permit. 

Regarding the initial quota of 200 visitors daily, Lee believed it was appropriate, adding that further details would become clearer after the Lunar New Year.

Lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung expressed a strong belief that the opening of Chung Ying Street would significantly boost the city's tourism economy.

"Many overseas Chinese return to Hong Kong specifically to visit Sha Tau Kok, which we can develop into a unique tourist product for the city," he said.

Highlighting Mirs Bay as an example of the area's beautiful coastal resources, Yiu urged authorities to tap into the natural attractions as well as Sha Tau Kok's historical background to increase its appeal to tourists.

He mentioned that the infrastructure for cross-border travel is ready, and discussions are ongoing between both regions' tourism departments regarding security and healthcare considerations for visitors. 

Although a specific opening date has not been confirmed, he believes it might not take until mid-year and could be possible before the Easter holidays.

In response, the Tourism Commission indicated that relevant departments are actively researching and coordinating with Shenzhen authorities but have not provided a specific timeline.

Chung Ying Street, located along the border between Shenzhen's Yantian District and Sha Tau Kok, has long been off-limits to the public as it straddles two jurisdictions.

During the early days of China's economic reform, the street became a bustling hub for Hong Kong merchants selling various goods to meet rising demand from the mainland. At its peak, nearly 100,000 people crossed Chung Ying Street daily.

Due to security concerns, entry has been restricted for many years, allowing only individuals holding specific permits to pass through for residential or work-related needs.

The phased opening for Sha Tau Kok commenced in June 2022 and expanded in January 2024, enabling individual and group travelers to apply for permits to explore the area, except Chung Ying Street.

To date, approximately 270,000 people have applied for restricted area permits to visit Sha Tau Kok as tourists.