Hong Kong's Christmas Exodus: 540,000 Leave as Crowds Gather at Home
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More than 540,000 Hong Kong residents have left the city for the holidays, even as crowds gathered for Christmas Eve celebrations at popular local spots.
By Wednesday evening, a large crowd had formed at the Harbour City shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. People came to see its special Disney-themed Christmas displays.
Office worker Cecile Tang, 38, visited with her family. "The five of us viewed the Christmas decorations at Harbour City and took a stroll along the waterfront," she said.
Despite the crowds, observers noted the festive atmosphere felt more subdued than in previous years. This comes amid a major outflow of residents traveling abroad for the holiday period.