Key facts
- A travel permit for non-Chinese residents in Hong Kong has simplified border crossings.
- Activities like visiting indoor ski resorts and water parks in Shenzhen are now popular weekend draws.
- Some mainland Chinese immigration staff reportedly still do not recognize the permit.
- The scheme has been in place for two years.
A travel permit designed for non-Chinese residents in Hong Kong has significantly altered weekend routines, making it easier and faster for these individuals to visit mainland China. Popular destinations include indoor ski resorts, water parks, and dim sum restaurants in Shenzhen and other nearby cities. These excursions have become a notable weekend draw for foreign passport holders residing in Hong Kong. Despite the scheme's success in facilitating travel, some challenges persist. Representatives of non-Chinese residents and foreign businesses have noted that certain mainland Chinese immigration staff still do not fully recognize the permit, indicating that the system is not yet seamless.