Photo: Administrative Affairs Bureau of Hengqin

Hengqin Ferry Terminal experienced a significant spike in passenger traffic during the May Day holiday, with island tour routes attracting thousands of travelers eager to enjoy seaside escapes.

Official data shows that on the first day of the holiday, over 3,000 passengers boarded ferries bound for offshore islands such as Dong'ao, Guishan, Wailingding, and Wanshan—marking a 35.5% increase compared to the same period last year. By May 3, nearly 9,000 people had chosen these scenic island getaways.

Ferry services between Hengqin and Shekou in Shenzhen also saw an increase, with a 7.5% year-on-year rise in passengers on the first day alone.

To accommodate the growing demand, Hengqin Terminal coordinated with partner shipping companies ahead of the holiday to enhance service capacity. Both the island and Shenzhen routes added two extra round trips per day during the break, raising daily ferry operations from an average of 44 to about 50 departures.