Renovations to Hengqin Ferry Terminal that were completed on April should benefit 150,000 passengers during construction of Hengqin International Recreation Island this year.

Refurbished facades and interior surfaces have given the terminal a shiny new look enhanced by added signage, ticket vending machines, mother-and-baby rooms, barrier-free paths, and a phone-charging service. A café will soon be opened.

Refurbished facades

Passengers may book tickets via a WeChat account -- (ID: HengQin-Wharf 横琴客运码头) -- for trips to Dong'ao Island. Travelers with registered residence in Zhuhai can receive discounts.

Boats depart every hour from 8:50 am to 3:40 pm and a single trip takes 40 minutes. The route was developed by Zhuhai Gree Group Co and Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Investment and saw more than 90,000 trips last year. The route around Zhuhai and Macao islands has also resumed operations, according to a manager.

Hengqin Passenger Terminal is a water transport portal for Hengqin New Area as well as an important window for external communication. The Construction Plan of Hengqin International Recreation Island released last month mentions creating a romantic tourist route in Zhuhai that will center on Hengqin and connect Wailingding, Dong'ao, and Wanshan islands and other sites. Related ferry routes are being developed with lines to Shenzhen also in store, according to a person in charge.

Waiting Hall and Ticket Office

Ticket-holders' entrance [Photos by Chen Ying / Zhuhai Daily]