More than 360,000 people left Hong Kong Friday for the four-day Easter holiday, according to figures from the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

The Chinese mainland remains the most popular destination for Hong Kong holidaymakers, with more than 180,000 people having crossed Lo Wu Control Point to the mainland by land by 5 p.m. Friday, said the China Daily Hong Kong Edition. To cope with the traveling boom, the department had opened all 76 counters at the checkpoint to speed up traffic flow.

Meanwhile, a record number of flights departed from the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok on Friday.

Japan is the favorite foreign destination for Hong Kong residents as visa requirements have been waived since April 1, said the paper, adding that Southeast Asian nations were next in popularity, despite an average of 20 percent price rise of tour packages.

In total, the Immigration Department expects 2.8 million border crossings in the week, 61 percent up from the Easter holiday last year.

The department will deploy more than 180 officers for immigration clearance at major control points on Monday, which will be a re-entry peak.

(China Daily April 10, 2004)