A land-sea-air transport network will take form between Hengqin New Area and the Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone to merge them as tourist destinations.

Ferry routes between Hengqin and Big Wanshan, Guishan, and Wailingding islands started runs April 27, while the route from Hengqin to Dong'ao Island was upgraded.

Hengqin Ferry Terminal on East Huandao Road has so far received more than 500,000 tourists, according to Cheng Min of Zhuhai Gree Group. Of the visitors, 300,000 traveled between Hengqin and Dong'ao, and 216,000 between Hengqin and Shenzhen's Shekou. There will be 26 shifts available on six routes as of May 1.

Inaugural ceremony of land-sea-air transport network [Photo by Li Jianshu / Guanhai App]

Meanwhile, the 5-yuan (77-cent) "Fun Hengqin" sightseeing double-deckers will be free of charge to residents and tourists starting May Day. They connect 13 attractions, business circles, and transport hubs on Hengqin Island.

Multi-purpose vehicles can be booked at the 900etrip online car-hailing platform. In addition to travel within Hengqin, it offers Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport pickups and cross-border transport services in collaboration with Macao vehicles.

Helicopter service from Hengqin to Wanshan Archipelago will be available in the future under an agreement signed April 27 between Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation (Heli-Eastern) and a Macao business aviation enterprise.

The Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone is included in Hengqin's integrated development this year, providing a wider opportunity for Hengqin to become an International Leisure Tourism Island and Macao to rise as a world tourism and leisure center.

Construction of the Macao Light Rail Transit extension to Hengqin and Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit Phase II will also be moved ahead to facilitate formation of the transport network, said Zeng Tianxiang, deputy secretary of the Hengqin Party Working Committee.