The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. [Photo/WeChat account: zhuhaifabu]

The trial operation of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) group tour will open on Dec 15. By then, visitors can tour the bridge without having to apply for the exit-entry permits.

During the trial operation phase, mainland residents with valid resident identity cards and Hong Kong and Macao residents who have entered the mainland and hold valid Hong Kong and Macao residents' travel cards are applicable for the tour. Of note, visitors are required to carry the above-mentioned certificates at all times for inspection purposes.

For those interested, they can join the "Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Tour" official WeChat account and make a reservation at least one day in advance. Visitors can also reserve and pay for their tickets online up to a month in advance, or they can go to the offline ticket window to purchase tickets.

The regular ticket price is 298 yuan ($42) per person, and the current promotional price is 198 yuan per person. Those who book in advance through the official WeChat account can enjoy a discounted price of 188 yuan per person. In addition, the ticket price for seniors, students and children is 128 yuan per person, while preferential tickets for disabled soldiers and others are priced at 99 yuan per person.

The entire tour takes about 140 minutes, starting from the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and encompasses the western artificial island, also known as Blue Dolphin Island. 

Blue Dolphin Island is the only place where tourists can get off. The island is only 366 meters away from the Guangdong-Hong Kong border so that tourists can enjoy watching planes' takeoff and landing at the Hong Kong International Airport. They can also soak in the natural scenery of Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

Currently, the HZMB Exhibition Hall is set up on the fourth floor of the main building on Blue Dolphin Island. It introduces the construction of the bridge and related technological innovations through multimedia presentations.