First cruise route links Guangzhou and Shenzhen

With a long blast of its siren, the cruise ship Dawan Yidun departed Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port on Saturday on the maiden voyage of a new route connecting Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

The ship Dawan Yidun docks at Shekou Cruise Homeport prior to departure Saturday. Photo provided to Shenzhen Daily

The ship, carrying about 300 tourists, arrived at Shekou Cruise Homeport in Shenzhen after a 4 1/2-hour journey.

Senior officials from provincial departments overseeing transport, culture and tourism, maritime affairs and ports attended a launch ceremony in Guangzhou’s Nansha District.

The new route — the first of its kind between the two cities — will operate two round trips a week, reflecting Guangdong’s efforts to develop marine tourism, according to a statement from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

The route connects two major ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and highlights the region’s integrated development, the statement said.

The cruise passes 16 landmarks, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Humen Bridge in Dongguan, and the Bay Glory Ferris wheel, Qianhai Snow World and Qianhai Museum in Shenzhen, as well as the cluster of buildings on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island.

Guo Dajie, director-general of the provincial culture and tourism department, said the route would expand coastal leisure tourism, diversify cultural and tourism offerings, and give residents and visitors a new way to enjoy the waters and scenery of Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

“It vividly demonstrates the unique charm of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, where mountains and sea intertwine and vitality abounds,” Guo said.

The route will also promote the integration of culture and tourism, coordinated development between the two cities, and the upgrading of tourism offerings across the GBA, he said.

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Departures: Fridays & Sundays

Price: 398 yuan (US$59)