If you happen to spot someone in Shenzhen paying by cash, carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer, conversing in a blend of English and somewhat clumsy Mandarin and discreetly imitating how others use scan codes to place restaurant orders, chances are they hail from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

This intriguing deduction has been jestingly coined by mainland netizens who noticed a growing influx of Hong Kong residents spending their cherished weekends in the bustling southern coastal city.

Observations like these are plenty, ranging from their typical attire choices to the delectable desserts they have indulged in, illustrating the substantial scale of the influx witnessed by Shenzhen residents. In the past two months alone, visitors from the city of seven million people made an astonishing nine million trips northward via Shenzhen's ports of entry.

The neighboring city of Hong Kong has become increasingly popular among Hong Kong residents as they seek a wider range of recreational activities and more budget-friendly leisure options. As delightfully showcased on their social media accounts, they have discovered that milk teas in Shenzhen offer greater diversity, the service is notably more courteous, and the restaurant cuisines reflect a more authentic representation of their origins.

"One's spending in Hong Kong could easily cover an entire family's expenses in Shenzhen," exclaimed one Facebook post. In the SAR, a proper dinner typically sets one back about 1,000 HK dollars ($127), but in Shenzhen, the same amount can fetch a rejuvenating massage, an equally satisfying dinner, multiple servings of refreshing lemon tea, and perhaps even a comfortable hotel room, as another post noted.

Shenzhen, ranked third in GDP among mainland cities, has never been synonymous with affordability for mainlanders. However, when considering the significantly higher cost of living in densely populated Hong Kong, Shenzhen emerges as a remarkably cost-effective destination for consumption. Moreover, the city renowned for its efficiency is perceived by Hong Kong residents as a relaxed and easygoing contrast. As observed by some, the concept of a 60-minute time limit at restaurants in Hong Kong is entirely absent in Shenzhen.

The uptick in the number of arrivals from Hong Kong has only become evident in recent months, following China's decision to lift COVID-related border restrictions earlier this year. According to data collected by Ctrip, an online travel agency, tourism pre-order volumes for Hong Kong residents visiting Shenzhen in July and August skyrocketed by 257 percent compared to the previous year, with a further 14 percent increase compared to the two preceding months.

Hotel bookings witnessed a year-on-year growth of 301 percent, accompanied by a 12 percent increase in bookings compared to the two months before July. In July alone, Hong Kong visitors poured as much as four billion HK dollars into their trips northward, substantially boosting mainland consumption.

More to offer

Shenzhen's "Hong Kong phenomenon" has transformed what used to be a one-way journey into a round trip. Previously it was mainlanders who frequently traveled to the duty-free paradise to gobble up luxury goods, but now Hong Kong residents are also flocking to a mainland city for an experience unique to their hometown.

As one of China's fastest-growing and most prosperous cities, Shenzhen has much more to offer. Beyond its reputation for continuous innovation and novelty, the city features a plethora of shopping districts and markets, catering to a diverse range of interests from electronics to fashion. Furthermore, its stricter municipal regulations ensure a heightened sense of safety and cleanliness, enhancing the overall experience for Hong Kong visitors.

The most compelling incentive, however, is perhaps the city's proximity to Hong Kong. The fastest train route, from West Kowloon to Futian, one of Shenzhen's affluent districts, takes a mere 14 minutes. In July, a new government service was launched allowing more HK residents to drive north via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, drastically shortening the driving distance between the three places.

Amidst the enchanting experiences they have cherished in their newfound fairyland, Hong Kong visitors have also gained a deeper appreciation for the distinctive cultural subtleties displayed by mainlanders. In a Facebook post, one Hong Kong netizen expressed remorse for his previous "rude" behavior, recounting an incident where he had mistakenly occupied an already taken seat at a restaurant. To his surprise, he found his mainland counterparts remarkably cordial and forgiving. The comments below, primarily from his fellow Hong Kong peers, urged him not to belittle mainlanders, earning his approval.

On their part, mainland netizens have humorously chronicled their observations with a touch of playful exaggeration, crafting posts such as "Hong Kong consumers have single-handedly rescued King Palace Plaza," a struggling shopping center in Shenzhen, and "anyone feeling overwhelmed when asked to place restaurant orders using smartphones must be an HK resident." Others are thankful for the opportunity through which people from both places get to know each other better.

The dynamic online exchanges between mainland and Hong Kong netizens have painted a lively picture of their real-world interactions, with mainlanders extending respect and hospitality to their Hong Kong compatriots and HK visitors feeling pleasantly surprised by the warmth and openness of those they may have held prejudiced views about in the past.

Such an exuberant ambiance has inherited reams of success stories where Hong Kong residents build a comfortable life for themselves after moving to Guangdong, exemplifying a government push to further advance the economic integration of the pan-Pearl River Delta Region, which encompasses both the HKSAR and the Macao SAR as well as cities in the southern province.

"Shenzhen is known for its scarcity of delicacies. I wish more Hong Kong visitors could come to Guangzhou," a well-known food paradise, quipped a Weibo post.