The Shenzhong Link experienced heavy traffic congestion and slow-moving traffic at the Shenzhen-side entrances during the first weekend after its launch due to the large number of eager drivers headed westbound across the Pearl River to explore and enjoy local cuisines.
Prior to opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, the Museum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen witnessed long lines of visitors from Shenzhen. The parking lot was filled with cars bearing Shenzhen license plates.
The number of people visiting the museum has been on the rise since the link opened. By 2 p.m. Saturday, the museum had already welcomed a total of 40,000 visitors, according to a museum employee.
Cars with Shenzhen plates were also spotted along Sunwen West Road near the Zhongshan museum, where families from Shenzhen were busy exploring Zhongshan's history and culture.
"My daughter just finished her exams, so we decided to drive here for a cultural tour. It's as convenient as driving to Longgang or Yantian," said a woman surnamed Yu.
For Shenzhen resident Xu, this was their second trip to Zhongshan since the link opened. Xu said that the distance between Shenzhen and Zhongshan has significantly decreased, fostering integration and development among cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
However, Xu felt that the Zhongshan tourism authorities may not have anticipated the influx of cars visiting the city and might not have been fully prepared for it, which has resulted in long lines and extended waiting times in public areas.
At the Zhongshan Expo Center transportation hub, many Zhongshan residents lined up to board buses for trips to Shenzhen.
"We are eager to experience the grandeur of the Shenzhong Link and take the kids to visit some of Shenzhen's tourist attractions," said Chen, a Zhongshan resident.