HONG KONG - As the October breeze whispers through Hong Kong's streets, a distinct scene unfolds near the High Court's fountain. A group of Chinese mainland tourists contorted into various poses, with smartphones ready, determined to capture the perfect shot with the imposing "High Court" characters looming in the background.

"We've seen this place countless times in Hong Kong TV dramas," explains Xu Yang, a visitor from Tianjin in North China, her eyes sparkling excitedly. "It's surreal to finally be here in person." Xu and her companions, fans of Hong Kong TV dramas, have dedicated their National Day holiday to tracking down filming locations of their favorite shows, from the Independent Commission Against Corruption headquarters to the historic Yau Ma Tei police station.

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This seemingly simple act of "daka" -- the Chinese term for "checking in" at popular locations -- reflects a growing trend among mainland tourists. As the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region welcomes a wave of visitors during the golden week, a noticeable shift in tourist preferences has emerged. Once focused on shopping, mainland tourists are now drawn to a trio of new pursuits: snapping photos at iconic landmarks, exploring art exhibitions, and embarking on urban walks to soak in the city's unique atmosphere.

"Post-pandemic, mainland visitors are no longer focused mainly on shopping," observes Lam Tak-shing, business director of the General Management Department of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited. "They're now looking to experience Hong Kong's unique cultural atmosphere." 

According to data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, approximately 23 million mainland travelers visited the SAR from January to August this year, up 38.9 percent year-on-year.

The city's eclectic mix of East and West has become a major draw for young travelers. Streets with names like "Fife Street", which translates to "Get-Rich-Quickly Street" in Chinese, along with local dessert shops, vintage accessory stores and record shops have all become new photo-op spots for young tourists.

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"On previous trips, I would stock up on cosmetics and face masks," admits Luo Min, a visitor from nearby Shenzhen. "Now, we are more interested in Hong Kong's cultural vibe. Every corner of the city is a potential photo-op, blending history with modernity." During the National Day holiday, in particular, the festive atmosphere makes Hong Kong even more vibrant, he adds.

This cultural rediscovery extends to Hong Kong's thriving art scene. The Hong Kong Palace Museum's special exhibition on the origins of Chinese civilization and other showcases of Chinese culture across the city have been popular among both culture enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.

On her first trip outside the mainland, Zhou Yuyu, a university freshman from the northwestern city of Xi'an, took on a "special forces-style cultural tour", cramming visits to Hong Kong's major museums and artistic landmarks into just two days. "From ancient temples to modern art galleries, from traditional opera to trendy street art -- diverse cultures coexist harmoniously here," she marvels.

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The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, opened in October 2018, has made day trips from nearby mainland cities more convenient. Chen Huilan, from the southern city of Zhongshan, took advantage of this connectivity to bring her family on a whirlwind tour of Hong Kong's cultural attractions. "We visited the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+, and we're ending the day with a Kun Opera performance at the Xiqu Centre," she says, impressed by the city's rapid development in creative industries and its innovative curatorial styles.

For many, however, Hong Kong's real charm lies in its streets. Increasingly, tourists are opting for "city walks", urban wandering that offer local experiences, from enjoying beef brisket rice noodles at a cha chaan teng and watching the sunset at Kennedy Town's waterfront promenade to strolling through the layered streets of Sai Ying Pun.

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Zheng Lin, a travel enthusiast from east China's coastal city of Qingdao, embraced this approach during her four-day visit. Starting from the revitalized Tai Kwun complex, she wandered through the historic yet tech-savvy Central Market, picking up vintage cameras, vinyl records, canvas bags and street scene posters along the way.

"I could sit here all afternoon," she muses, sitting with a coffee in the market's atrium, "watching the world go by as the old clock on the wall seems to turn back time".