First ship sails new cruise route between Guangzhou, Shenzhen

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

Dawan Yidun, with about 300 tourists on board, arrived in Shekou Cruise Home in the Shenzhen special economic zone after completing its 4-hour 30-minute journey.

The ceremony in Guangzhou's Nansha district was attended by senior officials from transport, culture and tourism, maritime, ports and related provincial departments.

The launch of the new cruise route, running two round trips weekly, demonstrates the local government's emphasis on developing marine tourism, according to a statement released by Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

The new cruise route showcases the integrated development and great economic achievement in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the great economic achievements GBA has made in recent years, the statement said.

The voyage, linking two major Guangdong ports, passes 16 landmarks along the way, including the mega Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Humen Bridge, the Bay Area Light Ferris wheel, Shenzhen Qianhai Huafa Snow World, Qianhai Museum, and the building complexes on Hong Kong's Lantau Island.

Guo Dajie, director general of Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said the launch of the new maritime cruise route fills the gaps in coastal leisure-vacation business forms, enriches the supply of cultural-tourism products, and offers citizens and tourists a brand‑new leisure option to get close to the blue greater bay waters and savor the scenery of the cities 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," he said.

Guo added that the new route promotes cultural tourism integration, two-city coordinated development and innovative upgrading of business formats across the Greater Bay Area.