Wu Miaomiao, an employee of Shenzhen North Station, received a thank-you banner from 131 students from Wuhan, Hubei Province, during her shift on Saturday. The students had been on a study tour of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, departing for Hong Kong from Shenzhen North Station on July 3. Wu assisted the students through necessary checks, provided hand-drawn transfer guides, and arranged their safe return to Wuhan.
Train Tours
Since the start of the summer travel season on July 1, coinciding with Shenzhen schools’ summer vacation, there has been a notable increase in study tours at Shenzhen railway stations.
On July 7, over 500 students from Shenzhen and Hong Kong embarked on a 12-day train tour to explore China’s rich culture and history. Organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Industries and Commerce and Nanshan Bilingual School, the tour covered Wuhan, Beijing, Hohhot, Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, and Ganzhou.
“This [trip] provides us a good chance to see the magnificent landscapes of our motherland and gain knowledge about the profound history of the Chinese nation,” said Zhang Hua, head of Nanshan Bilingual School. Zhang added that such trips inspire students about their future learning and lives.
Shenzhen North Station data showed that the city’s railway served 10.7 million passengers in the first 20 days of the summer transport season, marking an increase of 168,200 passengers compared to the same period last year.
Cross-River Tours
More than 2 million vehicles passed through the Shenzhong Link in the 20 days since it opened on June 30, averaging 100,000 vehicles daily. This link has become a popular route for educational tours between Shenzhen and Zhongshan during the summer break.
Recently, over 50 young individuals from Gangkou Township in Zhongshan and more than 100 students from Shenzhen participated in a cultural tour.
“The link is not just a physical bridge, but also an intangible link that enhances cultural exchanges and strengthens the cultural unity of the Pearl River Delta cities,” said Yang Yuzhe, head of the Bao’an Museum.
Popular Study Tour Destinations
Shenzhen, with its abundant educational resources, has become a popular destination for summer study tours. Various tours, including those themed on cultural heritage, museums, scientific and technological innovation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong gourmet food, and ecology, have drawn families and children to the city.
Yang highlighted Bao’an District’s national intangible cultural heritage items like the Huang Liansheng Lion Dance in Shangchuan, the Huang Clan Ancestral Hall ancient architectural complex, cultural landmarks like the Bay Glory Ferris wheel in OH Bay, the Bao’an 1990 art gallery, and technological tourism sites like high-tech firms and industrial parks.
Zhongshan’s Appeal
Zhongshan has also become a hot spot for summer camps and study tours due to its rich cultural history. The Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum and the Memorial Park of the 1911 Revolution are popular with children from Shenzhen interested in learning about Chinese history and Sun Yat-sen’s life.
A joint summer camp, organized by youth service centers in Shenzhen and Zhongshan, provided students an opportunity to explore high-tech innovations in Shenzhen, discover Zhongshan’s historical and cultural landmarks, participate in traditional handicrafts, and engage with engineers from new energy vehicle giant BYD.
The launch of the Shenzhong Link has increased visits from Hong Kong families to Pearl River Delta cities. A recent Tongcheng Travel report indicated that seven cities in Guangdong Province, including Shenzhen, ranked among the top 20 destinations for Hong Kong tourists.
As summer vacation progresses, the number of Hong Kong visitors to Shenzhen continues to rise, especially in family-friendly recreational areas. Zhao Kun, marketing director of Evergreen World in Nanshan District, noted that the park has also received educational tour groups from Hong Kong.