A TOURIST bus departed from China’s Zhuhai port Friday morning bound for Blue Dolphin Island, marking the start of group tours on a trial basis via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), the longest cross-sea bridge in the world. During the 140-minute bus tour, tourists were treated to stunning views as they crossed three huge bridges before reaching their final destination, Blue Dolphin Island. This is the first time the island has been opened to the public, with many yearning to make the trip and enjoy the location’s splendid panoramic sea views. During the trial period, eligibility for the tours is restricted to tourists from the Chinese mainland holding valid identity cards and residents of Hong Kong and Macao who entered the Chinese mainland with valid travel permits. The 55-km HZMB links China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the city of Zhuhai in the southern Guangdong Province and Macao SAR. The bridge opened to traffic in November 2018. It has brought tremendous opportunities and benefits to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. According to the official WeChat account of the bridge tour, prior booking is required and can be done via WeChat, with ticket prices varying from 128 yuan (US$17.98) to 298 yuan. During the tour, visitors also have the chance to admire wild Chinese white dolphins, known as the “giant pandas of the sea.” (SD-Xinhua) | 