Feng shui master among first to drive through revamped Huanggang Port
Feng shui master Mak Ling-ling was among the first drivers through the revamped Huanggang Port on October 12, praising its streamlined clearance and spacious design. The Shenzhen checkpoint opened at 6.30am, with the first pedestrian clearing in about 20 seconds and vehicles in under two minutes.
Feng shui master Mak Ling-ling was among the first drivers to pass through the revamped Huanggang Port on Monday, as the Shenzhen checkpoint reopened with joint clearance procedures. Mak made an unexpected appearance during mainland media broadcasts, where reporters interviewed drivers waiting in line.
According to media reports, the first pedestrian completed automated clearance using an electronic permit in approximately 20 seconds when the checkpoint opened at 6.30am. Almost simultaneously, nearly 10 vehicles entered the outbound lane within three minutes of the gate opening. Five border agencies verified documents at once, with each vehicle cleared in under two minutes.
To reporters who did not recognise her, Mak simply said she was a consultant with a home in Shenzhen, adding that she was honoured to witness the historic moment. When asked why she was heading south, she said she was "going to work," describing the new port as "bigger, with more lanes."
Speaking later to Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, Mak explained that she decided to test the upgraded border crossing during her regular morning commute. To avoid traffic, she woke up at 5am and arrived at the checkpoint around 5.50am to find no cars waiting. "I never thought I'd be the first one," she said, adding that congestion built up soon after.
Comparing the updated facilities with the former checkpoint, Mak commended the streamlined joint inspection process, noting that travellers only need to present a Home Return Permit and complete a single fingerprint scan. With clear lanes, she added, the entire verification takes less than a minute.
Mak also praised the new building as grand and spacious, saying it would help draw crowds. However, she observed that some floors relied on ventilation rather than open-air design, calling for attention to air circulation.
