<div id="readability-page-1">Hong Kong welcomed 10 per cent more visitors on the first day of Lunar New Year against a year ago, with crowds continuing to flock to hiking trails and tourists packing border crossing checkpoints. The latest Immigration Department data showed that 153,383 visitors arrived in the city on Tuesday, representing a 10.4 per cent increase compared with the first day of Lunar New Year last year. Of these, more than 120,000 came from mainland China. Inbound trips over the first two days of Lunar New Year totalled 265,140, marking a 7.8 per cent rise from 245,729 during the same period last year. The holiday on the mainland began last Sunday and will run to February 23, spanning nine days from the 28th day of the last month of the lunar calendar to the seventh day after the new year. Authorities expect 1.43 million visitors from the mainland during the holiday, up by 6 per cent from last year. The city has been filled with visitors from both the mainland and overseas, with a total of 816,522 arrivals over the past five days. On Wednesday morning, the South China Morning Post observed heavy traffic on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, while the bus stop at the facility was crowded with tourists who had just crossed the border.  About 100 people were waiting for a bus bound for the Central and Western district on Hong Kong Island. The mega bridge is among the most popular border crossings, with 44,159 arrivals recorded on February 17, ranking as the third-busiest checkpoint after Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau. In Sai Kung, the East Dam section of the High Island Reservoir was buzzing with tourists. Since last year, the reservoir has become a hotspot among mainland visitors after being promoted on various social media platforms. Authorities have been informing visitors of real-time crowd levels on the Tourism Board’s website. According to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, visitor flow on Tuesday afternoon was rated as “busy”, with an estimated 500 to 999 visitors. The department earlier said it would improve site management facilities and install more portable toilets in the area. It also planned to deploy additional officers to patrol popular spots and cleaners to remove rubbish more frequently.</div>

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<p>Hong Kong experienced a 10.4% increase in visitors on the first day of Lunar New Year, with 153,383 arrivals, primarily from mainland China. Over the first two days, total inbound trips reached 265,140, a 7.8% rise from last year. Authorities anticipate 1.43 million visitors from the mainland during the holiday. Popular attractions like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and High Island Reservoir saw heavy traffic and crowds. The Tourism Board is monitoring visitor flow and enhancing site management to accommodate the influx.</p>

- Hong Kong welcomed 10.4% more tourists on the first day of the Lunar New Year compared to last year, with 153,383 arrivals.  
- The total number of inbound tourists over the first two days reached 265,140, a 7.8% increase from the previous year, largely due to mainland visitors.  
- Authorities anticipate 1.43 million mainland tourists during the holiday period, leading to enhancements in crowd management and rest facilities.

Hong Kong marks start of Lunar New Year with surge of visitors