About 1.29 million mainland visitors are expected to enter Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week from 1 to 7 October 2026, according to the Immigration Department. Average daily arrivals are forecast to be more than 5% higher than during last year's mainland holiday.
The Travel Industry Authority and the tourism sector estimate that 1,180 mainland tour groups will arrive. Travel agencies have been urged to spread out arrival times and coordinate with attractions on coach movements and crowd management. Last year's holiday lasted eight days, with a government forecast of 1.54 million mainland visitors and a reported final total of 1.4 million; this year's forecast covers seven days.
At border control points, departments plan to limit leave for frontline staff and open additional inspection counters, temporary counters and passageways when needed to manage passenger and vehicle flows. A joint command centre involving police, the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department and other departments will monitor border conditions in real time and communicate with mainland border authorities.
The Transport Department has contacted public-transport operators to increase capacity and reserve vehicles and staff for peak periods. Planned measures include more Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang shuttle-bus services, additional cross-boundary coach quotas and increased railway services.
Sai Kung is another focus of the preparations. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will deploy extra staff for round-the-clock patrols at Ham Tin Wan and other campsites, use closed-circuit television to monitor conditions and act against breaches. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will increase cleaning at the Ham Tin Wan public toilet, whose extension is expected to add toilets and washing facilities during the holiday.
At High Island Reservoir East Dam, a trial online real-name booking system will continue on the Po Pin Chau route, alongside crowd controls on the route and at the viewpoint. Police will manage traffic at strategic locations including the approach roads and may ticket and immediately tow vehicles causing serious obstruction or immediate danger without prior warning.
Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration, chaired a cross-departmental preparations meeting on 23 September. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also created a webpage listing attraction opening hours and waiting times, together with transport information, for visitors planning their trips.