An unprecedented number of visitors are expected to pass through the Shenzhen Port, a booming town across a river from Hong Kong, during the week-long May Day holiday.

Zhou Muliang, deputy director with Shenzhen Border Inspection General Station of Guangdong Province, said the number of in-bound and out-bound journeys handled at the port is expected to reach a record high 4.68 million during April 29 and May 8, up 15 percent from the same period last year.

Zhou cited three factors for the dramatic increase: May Day holiday, the birthday of the founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni and people from more mainland cities are now allowed to organize tours to Hong Kong.

This year's May Day holiday, which will runs from May 1 to May 7, coincides with the holiday commemorating the birth of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, who is believed to have been born on the eighth day of the fourth month of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on May 5 this year.

Six more cities from the Chinese mainland were added to the list of cities that have the right to organize tours to Hong Kong and Macao.

While pledging a range of measures to guarantee the port's efficiency, the official also advised visitors to avoid traveling during peak days which he expects to be on May 1, May 6 and May 7.

Source: Xinhua