The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has seen an average daily traffic volume of more than 100,000 vehicles since its operation, playing a pivotal role in the transportation pattern of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The 24-kilometer-long Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link opened to traffic on June 30, cutting travel time between the two cities from two hours to less than 30 minutes.
With a total cost of 46 billion yuan or 6 billion U.S. dollars, the highway project took seven years to be completed. The sea-crossing passage has two bridges, two man-made islands, and a two-way eight-lane tunnel.
The latest data shows that since its opening, the average daily traffic volume through the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has exceeded 100,000 vehicles, with over 8,000 vehicles passing through during peak hours. The figure exceeds the traffic volume of the Nansha Bridge and other major cross-river channels at the Pearl River Estuary during the same period.
Peak hours are usually between 08:00 to 10:00 in the morning and between 17:00 to 20:00 in the afternoon. On the weekdays, the average traffic volume could be as low as 1,000 vehicles and as high as 7,000 vehicles per hour. Since the operation of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, the traffic volume has always remained high.
At present, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has a permanent population of more than 86 million and an economic output of more than 14 trillion yuan (about 1.93 trillion U.S. dollars), accounting for one-ninth of the national total economic output. Various production factors circulate frequently in this area. The newly-opened Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has already accounted for about a quarter of the daily traffic across the Pearl River, making the entire transportation pattern of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area more balanced and complete.
At present, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Guangzhou and other cities of Guangdong are continuously promoting various aspects of work involving development planning, industrial innovation, cultural tourism integration, business format cultivation, business environment and public service. Zhongshan City in particular has prepared over 6,600 hectares of industrial land for Shenzhen to undertake the radiation effect of industries on the east bank of the Pearl River Estuary.
Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link's average daily traffic exceeds 100,000 vehicles
A new train route from Harbin to Mohe in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is offering tourists a unique cultural experience as part of China's booming winter tourism services.
Harbin and Mohe are two prominent winter tourist destinations in China. Harbin is home to the world's largest snow theme park, Ice and Snow World, which features intricate ice and snow sculptures and landscapes spanning one million square meters. Mohe, China's northernmost city, offers unique experiences, including encounters with forest reindeer and sightings of the breathtaking Northern Lights.
This year, the train journey between Harbin and Mohe offers a unique and memorable experience for tourists, providing a thrilling lag to their winter adventure. The train departs Harbin every day at 18:20, winding its way through the snow-covered landscapes of northeast China. The 18-hour ride is a celebration of the region's rich culture, immersing passengers in the vibrant traditions and customs of the area.
Travelers can enjoy the live performances of Yangge, a song-and-dance duet popular in the Northeast of China, and are even invited to join in to fully enjoy the lively and warm atmosphere. The ornaments and cushions on the train with distinctive local style ooze the generous, warm-hearted, and humorous spirit of the region.
Tourists from across China are flocking to experience the unique cultural journey offered by the new train route. Liu Huixing, a tourist from Changsha, Hunan Province, expressed her enthusiasm for the trip.
"We are from Hunan's Changsha, and we will stay in Heilongjiang for seven days. The shows tonight were amazing, very joyful, we also participated, and loved it so much," she said.
"The activities offer tourists from southern China a special experience. In this way, they can enjoy northeast China's culture before they arrive at Mohe City. And our train is very popular," said Shi Lei, the conductor of the train.
The unique offerings of the train complements local attractions and have made the Harbin-to-Mohe route a key driver of Heilongjiang's winter tourism boom.
Over 87 million tourist trips were made to Harbin between November 2023 and February 2024, generating revenue of 125 billion yuan (about 17 billion U.S. dollars), the highest in its history up to last year.
China's central government has also set goals that by 2027, the total value of winter tourism should reach 1.2 trillion yuan (about 164 billion U.S. dollars), and by 2030, increase to 1.5 trillion yuan (about 206 billion U.S. dollars).
The Asian Winter Games to be held in Harbin in February 2025 will make winter tourism even more popular in China.
China's northeast region sees surge in winter tourism with new train route
