Influencers release guide to mainland living, urge HK to boost appeal

The growing trend of Hong Kong residents heading north for consumption and settlement has prompted popular Greater Bay Area influencer "Saidorsi" and financial expert Ray Lee Ching-hang to collaborate on a new book - a guide that offers practical advice on everything from daily necessities to cultural differences, aiming to help Hong Kongers adapt to life across the border.

Speaking to reporters, “Saidorsi” believes the northbound wave won’t harm Hong Kong’s economy—instead, the city should focus on enhancing its own appeal.

Covering essentials from social security to cultural nuances

The GBA influencer explained that the book addresses the practical needs of Hong Kongers relocating to the mainland, starting with basic "ABCs" like transferring funds without necessarily opening a mainland bank account—cross-border e-payment tools can suffice.

It also delves into daily life details, such as grocery shopping, healthcare, and social security, while analyzing cultural differences between Hong Kong and the mainland.

Lee added that the guide goes beyond short-term consumption tips, catering to long-term settlers.

Drawing from his own experience running a business and living in the mainland, he highlighted that retiring there could become a future trend due to more space, a younger population, and complementary retirement resources compared to Hong Kong.

A timely release amid growing interest

When asked about the inspiration behind the book, “Saidorsi” cited his pandemic-era quarantine experience in Shenzhen, where he noticed many Hong Kongers felt lost about mainland living.

Lee, meanwhile, believes now is the perfect time for the guide’s release, as financial institutions and regulators roll out new cross-border retirement products—further proof that settling northbound is becoming a mainstream choice.

Hong Kong must leverage its strengths

Addressing concerns over dwindling local spending, “Saidorsi” argued that instead of discouraging northbound travel, Hong Kong should capitalize on its unique advantages to attract mainland tourists.

He dismissed the notion that "Hong Kongers spending up north will hurt the economy" as counterproductive.

Lee echoed this sentiment, noting that the book offers a two-way perspective: while it introduces mainland living, it also reminds readers to make the most of Hong Kong’s high-quality services.

(Marco Lam)