The crossing
Best Shenzhen port during Golden Week 2026
Updated 30 September 2026
The Immigration Department released its Golden Week forecast on 28 September 2026. About 6.31 million people will cross a land boundary control point between 1 and 7 October, with Saturday 3 October the busiest day at about 587,000. Lo Wu, the Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay take the weight. Heung Yuen Wai is the port not on the heavy list.
The 28 September forecast
The Immigration Department released its Golden Week forecast on 28 September 2026. About 6.31 million people will use land boundary control points from 1 to 7 October, on top of 7.44 million total passengers. Lo Wu, the Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay are the heavy three, at about 220,000, 190,000 and 150,000 a day. Peak land days are Saturday 3 October at about 587,000 and Sunday 4 October at about 586,000.
The three heavy ports
Lo Wu is the MTR-run crossing on the East Rail Line, at 220,000 a day. Eastbound morning peak starts before 8 am, westbound rush starts around 4 pm. The 6:30 am to 8 am window is quieter heading out; 9 pm to 10:30 pm is quieter coming back.
The Spur Line runs from Hung Hom to Lok Ma Chau, the pedestrian bridge into Futian, at about 190,000 a day. The MTR will run extra trains between Admiralty and Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau from 30 September to 7 October. It closes at 10:30 pm.
Shenzhen Bay is in the heavy list at about 150,000 a day and closes at midnight.
Heung Yuen Wai is the wildcard
Heung Yuen Wai, the eastern port that connects to Liantang in Shenzhen, runs from 7 am to 10 pm and is not on the heavy list. For residents of Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling and Sheung Shui it is reachable on the eastern KMB routes and serves the Longgang and Longhua districts of Shenzhen directly. On the heavy two days that puts it ahead of the three western ports.
The trade-off is the 10 pm closing. The new Huanggang Port opens on 12 October and from then it will be the only 24-hour land door between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
When to cross on the busy days
On Saturday 3 October the peak is about 587,000 at land control points, the busiest single day in the seven. Heung Yuen Wai and the Spur Line are the two to try. The pre-9 am eastbound slot is quietest at every port; the westbound runs quietest after 9 pm at the ones still open.
On Sunday 4 October the inbound peak is forecast for the afternoon and evening, starting around 2 pm. Plan for the morning eastbound to clear in 20 to 30 minutes at quieter ports and 60 to 90 minutes at Lo Wu on the busy two days.
Coaches and driving
The 29 September notice says coach quotas have been increased for 1 to 7 October, with five short-haul cross-boundary coach routes to Mong Kok, Jordan, Lam Tin, Wan Chai and Tsuen Wan. Coach passengers should reserve seats in advance, the first time the government has put that line in writing for a Golden Week.
For drivers, special traffic arrangements at Lok Ma Chau and Shenzhen Bay will mean longer waits for private cars. Heung Yuen Wai remains the better drive on 3 and 4 October.
Quick answers
- Which Shenzhen port is least busy during Golden Week 2026?
- Heung Yuen Wai. The 28 September forecast names Lo Wu (about 220,000 a day), the Spur Line (190,000) and Shenzhen Bay (150,000) as the heavy three. Heung Yuen Wai runs from 7 am to 10 pm and is not on the heavy list.
- What is the busiest day to cross to Shenzhen during Golden Week 2026?
- Saturday 3 October, with about 587,000 passengers at land boundary control points. Sunday 4 October is close behind at about 586,000.
- When does the new Huanggang Port open?
- The Standard reported on 18 September, citing Sing Tao, that both governments are aiming for Monday 12 October, the Monday after Golden Week ends. The government still says only the fourth quarter of 2026, and no official date has been announced.
Hours in the cards follow the Hong Kong Immigration Department control-point table. They move. Check the morning you travel.