Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge: World's longest sea-crossing bridge becomes tourist attraction

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02:25

With the world's longest cross-sea span, China's Greater Bay Area now has a new tourist attraction. Visitors from far and wide have already come to see the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge, and experts say this trend will only continue. CGTN's Feng Yilei reports.

Sitting along the southern coast of China's Guangdong province, Zhuhai is one of the nation's most charming tourist destinations. And now a scenic new icon adds a new dimension to the city's picturesque sea view. The world's longest man-made sea bridge.

QIGELEGE TOURIST "We come from Inner Mongolia where there is no ocean. And we are here to show our children what an ocean is like and how huge this bridge is."

With a great many visitors flocking to see the bridge on their own, travel agencies launched sightseeing programs well in advance of the mega structure's debut. At this cruise terminal, a ferry route has been running for months. Ships take passengers offshore to see the bridge up close, both day and night.

FENG YILEI ZHUHAI, GUANGDONG PROVINCE "Standing on the deck here we can see the three cable-stayed bridges of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. One of them is shaped as a symbolic Chinese knot and is a main sight that people have come to see. Cruise operators say that on a daily basis, some 15-hundred tourists take to the waters to get a closer glimpse of the bridge.

HU QINGLUN TOURIST "This world-famous bridge is just as grand as I expected – definitely a must-see."

ZHANG YANQIU TOURIST "I'm glad my company organized the tour for us to see the great achievement. I hope I can drive across the bridge someday to see more along the way."

Industry insiders not only hail the massive project as an attraction but also hope it boosts tourism in general. They say the bridge will deliver a higher volume of visitors between three cities in a shorter period.

XU JIANMAO, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER ZHUHAI JIUZHOU CRUISE SHIP "The bridge will lead to the integral growth of tourism in the Greater Bay Area. More frequent travel will further revolutionize market size and travel experiences."

Experts also believe Zhuhai will become a transfer point for mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong and Macao, and vice versa. Businesses in Zhuhai, both local ones like the ferry company and even some foreign ones, have started preparing for the future. They say they will continue to develop and diversify products based on the city's rich resources to meet the increasing needs. FYL, CGTN, Zhuhai.