side trips from hong kong

Home » Travel Guides » China » 15 Best Day Trips from Hong Kong

15 Best Day Trips from Hong Kong

The city of Hong Kong is renowned worldwide for being a glitzy cosmopolitan hub and financial center with a myriad of tempting attractions that can keep visitors entertained for weeks.

From casinos to rooftop bars, skyscrapers and shopping malls, not to mention world class cuisine, the metropolis has something to offer everyone.

However, its location on an archipelago and the land surrounding it that has yet to be annexed into the urban sprawl, means that there is a vast number of destinations that are worlds away from the city’s chaotic pace of life.

In the space of a few hours you can find yourself exploring sandy beaches, tiny fishing villages and sparsely populated islands, all offering a unique taste of China outside of Hong Kong.

Let’s have a look at the best day trips from Hong Kong :

1. Cheung Chau

In just 40-minutes by ferry, you can reach the island of Cheung Chau, a destination that combines the buzzing activity of its busy harbour with the quiet tranquillity of its beaches, all within easy reach of each other.

Highlights include ancient temples such as the Mini Great Wall, along with Cheung Po Tsai Cave, which can both be explored in a couple of hours.

Then head to one of the beloved open-air seafood restaurants where you’ll find dish after mouthwatering dish at reasonable prices.

If you want a day in the sun, pay a visit to Kwun Yam Wan Beach, or if you want to experience the island like a local, take a stroll through the pier, where the trawlers, junk boats and houseboats clamouring for room make for an exhilarating visit.

Available tour :  Hong Kong: Cruise Tour to Cheung Chau by Chinese Junk Boat

A mere hour away by ferry from Hong Kong, you’ll find one of its most popular day trips: Macau.

This former Portuguese enclave is positively overflowing with colonial charm and history whilst simultaneously offering the temptation of being the world’s biggest gambling center.

Culture and history buffs will not be disappointed; some must-see sites include the Ruins of St.

Paul’s Church, Guia Hill, A-Ma Temple and the gorgeously quant village of Coloane.

If you want a break from cultural sites, you can distract yourself with the mouthwatering delights of Macanese food: a fusion between Portuguese and Cantonese cooking, or if you’re feeling lucky you can also try your hand in one of the glittering casinos lining the main strip.

Recommended tour :  Macau World Heritage Excursion With Lunch at Macau Tower

3. Sai Kung

Reminiscent of tropical coastlines on the other side of the world, Sai Kung is Hong Kong’s prime destination for sun seekers, surfers and seafood lovers because of its beautiful beaches and bays.

This verdant oasis can be found in the northeastern New Territories and takes about an hour to reach from Central Hong Kong by MTR or boat.

Here you’ll be able to hike to beaches like Tai Long Wan and Sharp Island, where the sandy shores and lush interiors offer excellent hiking opportunities and places to relax.

Sai Kung Town is well worth a visit too, particularly its intriguing floating seafood market and plethora of fascinating shops and restaurants.

A veritable retail wonderland full of quirky attractions and delicious eateries, Shenzen boasts some of the best shopping in the region and people flock across the Chinese border to make the most of lower prices here.

As a gateway to mainland China, it’s a thriving metropolis with inexpensive delights such as day spas, the eccentric Dafen Oil Painting Village, or the souvenir-laden Windows of the World Amusement Park.

For a lunch experience elbow to elbow with the locals, head over to Xiangmihu Holiday Village, where you can enjoy some delicious barbecue dishes and cold beers.

Finally, don’t leave without paying a visit to Dongmen Pedestrian Street: a huge market perfect for adventurous travellers where you can purchase pretty much anything imaginable.

The large outlying island of Lantau is the largest that can be reached from Hong Kong and is a beautiful, vast expanse of gently rising forested mountains, small villages and pristine beaches, perfect for a day trip to unwind and relax.

Some of the numerous cultural sites that are simply unmissable include the Wisdom Path and a visit to the Tian Tan Buddha; perched at the top of almost 300 steps ascending the mountainside.

As is common with many of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, you’re also guaranteed to find some truly world class seafood around the coastal villages of Lantau.

6. Mai Po Marshes

If you want to take a break from Hong Kong’s crowds and don’t feel like going to another beach, then a trip to Mai Po Marshes is the perfect way to escape for a day and get up close and personal with nature.

The Marshes are run by the esteemed World Wildlife Fund organisation and entry requires a free permit that takes a few weeks to be processed.

Once inside, however, you’ll discover one of Asia’s most spectacular nature reserves; home to over 55,000 migrating birds and a plethora of mammals, insects and reptiles.

Spend your day wandering the beautiful forests and marshlands catching glimpses of some of the intriguing wildlife.

7. Shui Hau Beach

For a truly rural coastal experience and an escape from the hectic and crowded city, take a day trip to the beautifully secluded Shui Hau Beach.

The soft, white sands are back dropped by kite surfers zipping around the waves, and the lack of facilities in the area means it is a truly calm spot.

Also popular here is clamming, due to the huge clam populations found here, you can even try your hand yourself by renting the tools from the Fung Wong Bungalow Center.

Situated in the Pearl River Delta, Zhuhai is just over an hour away from Hong Kong and is comprised of over 100 islands that are accessible by ferries.

The result is a plethora of gorgeous beaches, where you can go diving in the crystal-clear waters of Dong’ao Island, or devour incredible seafood at Hebao Island.

Besides the palm trees and beaches, Zhuhai is also known for its nightlife, with places like Lotus Road and Gangbei famous for streets lined with nightclubs and stalls selling cocktails late into the night.

9. Guangzhou

The city of Guangzhou is the third largest in China, and as such, has something to suit every taste.

For a big city experience that’s a breath of fresh air from Hong Kong, Guangzhou offers a rich colonial history with both French and British influences that can be seen on the beautiful Shamian Island.

The European architecture and landmarks found here, surrounded by a Chinese metropolis, makes for a novel and fascinating experience.

Art lovers, on the other hand, will be enchanted by Xiaozhou Village, an art haven full of old buildings, canals and captivating street art.

The city of Shunde is well and truly a hidden gem in China’s cultural landscape that not many people have heard of but is well worth a visit.

The city is peppered with heritage sites and natural attractions, each more beautiful than the last, like the Baoling Temple or the Taiping Mountain.

The fact that a lot of the cultural sites are situated in areas of great natural beauty makes Shunde an incredibly pleasant place to explore.

Shunfengshang Park, for example, is a network of canals, ornate bridges, forests and temples that in itself is a fantastic day trip.

11. Lamma Island

The third largest island in Hong Kong has long been a tempting escape for people who don’t want to travel far but want a different pace of life to the one found in the city.

The sandy shores of Lamma Island offer exactly that, with beaches like Hung Shing Yeh attracting city dwellers all year round to relax in the sun.

With a casual, traveller-friendly atmosphere, Lamma is a great place to hike.

Wander through Main Street soaking in the sights, or simply hunt down some excellent food; the waterfront seafood restaurants in Sok Kwu Wan are particularly popular.

Having often been referred to as “The Venice of Hong Kong”, the tiny fishing village of Tai O is renowned for being the sole remaining stilt settlement left in Hong Kong, and as a result, is not only a worthwhile day trip but a breathtakingly beautiful one.

Here, you’ll find deliciously tempting, locally-made shrimp paste, as well as world-class seafood, and an age-old community of Tanka “boat people”, who still live and thrive here and give a fascinating insight into the life of the residents of times past.

Nature lovers will also be treated to a glimpse of the area’s famous pink dolphins, both revered and protected throughout Tai O.

Suggested tour :  Tsing Ma Bridge, Tai O Village and Monastery Tour

13. Ngong Ping

The highland area of Ngong Ping can be found on the western side of Lantau Island and is an excellent day trip both for those with religious interests and those who simply want to marvel at the area.

It’s best known for the iconic statue of the Tian Tan Buddha; an enormous 34 meters in height and visible for miles.

Easily reachable by cable car from Tung Chung, the Buddha attracts many visitors every year, who also usually visit the neighbouring Po Lin Monastery.

14. Beijing

What better way to experience the real China than to pay a visit to its capital, which houses some of its most important cultural treasures.

You’ll need to start your day early and catch an 8:00am flight if you want to have a good few hours in the city, but the destination is worth the journey.

Once in Beijing, you can visit The Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs and a host of other national gems depicting China’s fascinating past.

15. New Territories

Adjacent to the Kowloon Hills and the border of mainland China, you’ll find the suburban area known as the New Territories, a veritable cultural hotbed and melting pot of traditional customs and modern attitudes.

Popular sites include the Kat Hing Wai Walled Village, surrounded by a moat and still inhabited by the original descendants of the Deng clan who built it.

Also well worth a visit is the beautiful Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree and the opulent Che Kung Temple.

15 Best Day Trips from Hong Kong:

• Cheung Chau
• Mai Po Marshes
• Shui Hau Beach
• Lamma Island
• New Territories

8 unmissable day trips from Hong Kong

Feb 20, 2024 • 6 min read

Explore quiet corners and bustling megacities on a day trip from Hong Kong © Calvin Chan Wai Meng / Getty Images

Hong Kong is one of the world's great urban playgrounds, but this place has another side to its personality beyond the gleaming skyscrapers and shopping malls.

Three-quarters of the territory is green, dotted with hiking trails and secluded beaches, not to mention dozens of outlying islands bobbing in the South China Sea, some just an easy ferry ride away. With the mainland megacities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou connected to central Hong Kong by high-speed train, the possibilities for wider exploration are vast.

Here are eight of the best one-day excursions to enhance your next Hong Kong adventure.

1. Take a cable car to Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha

Travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

A pilgrimage to the serene Tian Tan Buddha in the lush hills of Lantau is mandatory for Hong Kong newbies. Clocking in at 34m (112ft) high (podium included), this bronze icon faces the Po Lin Monastery, a sprawling Buddhist complex linked to Tung Chung (the main town on Lantau) by cable car. The scenic 5.7km (3.5-mile) journey offers sweeping views of Tung Chung Bay and, for plane-spotters, the bustle of Hong Kong Airport.

How to get to Po Lin Monastery from Central: Ride the MTR from Hong Kong station to Tung Chung (35 minutes) and then take the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car for the final leg of the journey (25 minutes). You can also take the ferry to Mui Wo and then get bus 2.

2. Admire Hong Kong's last remaining stilt houses at Tai O

Travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Historically the home of the Tanka boat people, the fishing village of Tai O is an atmospheric maze of back alleys and street markets, but its big draw is a photogenic cluster of traditional stilt houses teetering over the water, some with a history spanning back 200 years. To extend your trip, consider a night's stay at the boutique-styled Tai O Heritage Hotel , housed in a converted police station built in 1902.

How to get to Tai O from Central: Ride the MTR from Hong Kong station to Tung Chung (33 minutes) and then take bus 11 to Tai O (one hour). Otherwise, take the ferry to Mui Wo and then change to bus 1.

3. Hang out on Lamma, Hong Kong's hippy island

Travel time: 30 minutes

With its hidden beaches, car-free paths and countercultural vibes, laidback Lamma Island is the perfect tonic for when the hustle of Hong Kong gets too much. Yung Shue Wan is the main village, with cafes, vegetarian restaurants and new-age shops aplenty. Across the island at Sok Kwu Wan , take your pick from a string of seafood restaurants serving dishes like steamed whole grouper or fried clams with black bean sauce.

How to get to Lamma Island from Central: Take a ferry from Central's Outlying Islands ferry terminal (pier 4) to either Yung Shue Wan pier or Sok Kwu Wan pier.

4. Explore the Portuguese heritage of Macau

Macau might be known as China's Las Vegas for its casinos, but the island was a Portuguese colony for 300 years and retains pockets of European colonial architecture. Admire the ruins of the Church of St Paul , a 17th-century cathedral, graze on Portuguese custard tarts in the old town center and then ride the cable car up to Guia Fortress , a historic military complex containing China's first lighthouse and a chapel built by Portuguese nuns.

How to get to Macau from Central: Take the MTR one stop to Sheung Wan and then catch a high-speed ferry from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal to the Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal (one hour).

5. Ride the bullet train to mainland China

Travel time: 45 minutes

The Chinese megacity of Shenzhen is just minutes away from Hong Kong by bullet train. Beyond the bragging rights of making it to the mainland, Shenzhen offers visitors dazzling modern architecture; a thriving arts, shopping and dining scene; and some deliciously retro theme parks. Best of all, you can pick up a temporary visa at the border crossing with minimal fuss, though you're not permitted to travel beyond the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.

How to get to Shenzhen from Central: If you already have a visa, take the MTR to West Kowloon station, go through immigration and then catch the high-speed train to Futian Station (14 minutes). If you need a visa, ride the MTR to the Luohu border crossing instead (one hour) and get a five-day visa on arrival (tourists from most countries are eligible) on the spot.

6. Marvel at the otherworldly scenery of Hong Kong Global Geopark

Travel time: 2 hours

Hong Kong Global Geopark , a UNESCO-listed natural playground, is home to stunning and surreal volcanic rock columns and sea caves. Tour operators run boat, kayak and SUP excursions into the Geopark, but you can also take a trip to the High Island Reservoir East Dam  and get up close without leaving dry land. The Volcano Discovery Center  in Sai Kung advises on the best ways to explore.

How to get to Hong Kong Global Geopark from Central: Take the MTR to Choi Hung station (30 minutes) and then take Hong Kong Green Minibus 1 to Sai Kung Pier and the Geopark Volcano Discovery Center (35 minutes).

7. Go temple and beach hopping on Cheung Chau Island

Travel time: 1 hour

With its white-sand beaches, characterful villages and Taoist temples, Cheung Chau Island makes a delightful day trip from central Hong Kong. Be sure to hike or bike your way to the island's southwestern corner to chill by the Reclining Rocks , picnic optional. The usually tranquil island packs out each year for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, a spectacular event of parades, "floating children" (kids standing on parade scaffolding carried through the streets) and a race up bamboo towers to snatch the sacred bun.

How to get to Cheung Chau from Central: Take a ferry from Central's Outlying Islands ferry terminal (pier 5), either regular (one hour) or fast (40 minutes).

8. Hike and swim in unspoiled Sai Kung

One of the last havens left in Hong Kong for hikers and swimmers, Sai Kung offers trails through pristine scenery to secluded coves and picture-perfect beaches. The Tai Long Wan Hiking Trail passes four gorgeous beaches with some steep climbs and beautiful views along the route. You'll find dining spots at Sai Wan and Ham Tin beaches, and it's even possible to camp on the sand, or you can head back to Sai Kung Town by speedboat and have dinner on the waterfront.

How to get to Sai Kung from Central: Ride the MTR to Choi Hung station (30 minutes) and then take Hong Kong Green Minibus 1 to Sai Kung Pier (35 minutes). Take a taxi to the High Island Reservoir East Dam (30 minutes) for the full hike, or get a taxi to Sai Wan Pavilion for a one-hour hike to the beach.

This article was first published Oct 12, 2022 and updated Feb 20, 2024.

Explore related stories

Tips & Advice

Jan 10, 2024 • 6 min read

Alexander Howard, Lonely Planet’s managing editor of destinations content, recently traveled to Hong Kong. Here, he shares some tips and insights.

Jan 2, 2024 • 5 min read

Sep 22, 2023 • 4 min read

Jul 28, 2023 • 5 min read

Apr 28, 2023 • 5 min read

Apr 5, 2023 • 5 min read

Mar 28, 2023 • 3 min read

Sep 30, 2022 • 6 min read

Apr 22, 2022 • 3 min read

Jan 5, 2022 • 2 min read

Going Awesome Places

Detailed itineraries + travel guides

Three Best Side Trips from Hong Kong

Last Updated February 25, 2023 William Tang

You are here: Home » Attractions & Experiences » Three Best Side Trips from Hong Kong

So you have made it as far as Hong Kong, but are curious as to what lies across the border in China.  If you have a few extra days to spare during your visit to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, there are several easy links to the mainland that will give you a slice of China.  With the ever expanding high speed rail network from Hong Kong, here are the top three side trips to check out.

Read more about Hong Kong

• Top List of Hong Kong Restaurants
• Discovering Hong Kong’s Green Outdoors
• Review of Hong Kong’s pre-paid SIM card one2free

Where to stay in Hong Kong?

• For something on the luxurious end, St. Regis Hong Kong is pretty amazing.  Otherwise, a great hidden gem of a budget property is the Homy Residence .  Make sure to read the best place to stay in Hong Kong guide.

In This Article

1.  Guangzhou

2.  hot springs, 3.  guilin, 3 of the best side trips from hong kong.

Why go there?

It is a wonder why Guangzhou is not overrun with tourists, but that becomes part of the attraction itself. Guangzhou is a beautiful and modern city. Think Hong Kong on steroids (and a lot cleaner!). Set around the Pearl River, what Guangzhou lacks in must see sights it more than makes up for in authentic culture and food. With an abundance of top hotels, shopping malls and restaurants you go there to Eat, Sleep and Shop. And the best part is, you can do this without bumping into another foreigner the whole day!

Highlights:

Food  – This is a foodies paradise. Chinese food never tasted so good. Think the best Dim Sum you have ever had, and that is just the start!  With the Haizhu private food tour , go off the tourist path and try a variety of mouth-watering foods of old and new

Bicycle – Rent a bicycle and join the locals for a casual ride along the pearl river

Shopping – Designer malls or flea markets. Guangzhou has something for everyone

How to get there?

Guangzhou is an easy 2 hour train trip from downtown Hong Kong.

Hot Springs in China?? No I am not crazy. China has amazing hot springs that rival those in Japan. Qingxin Hot Springs are located near Qingyuan city, only 20 minutes by bullet train or 1 hour by car from Guangzhou. Set in beautiful gardens, there are more pools than you can count. Just make sure you give yourself enough time as you won’t want to leave. And the best part, unlike Japan, there is no naked bathing, so you can relax and enjoy the springs with your friends and family.

Costs: From 110 RMB

Set around the Li River and surrounded by karst mountains, the scenery of Guilin is simply stunning. Take a stroll around the lakes to absorb the setting, or if you are more energetic, climb the stairs to summit one of the several nearby peaks. Guilin is also a perfect base for day trips to explore neighbouring villages.

After a hard day of sightseeing, enjoy some local Guangxi cuisine. With influences from both Vietnamese and Cantonese food, the food in Guilin can be an adventure in itself.

Guilin is now connected to Guangzhou by a new bullet train that only opened at the end of December 2014.  It only takes 2.5 hours to go from Guangzhou to Guilin!

What you should read next

• Where To Stay in Hong Kong – A Guide To Hotels and Neighbourhoods
• 2 Day Hong Kong Itinerary – Highlights in 48 hours
• Top 20 Hong Kong Must Eat Restaurants – A HK Food Guide
• Best Prepaid SIM Card in Hong Kong is one2free

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Bianca @itsallbee says

April 5, 2015 at 6:06 PM

Great post! I have been to Guanzhou and love it! It looks like I may have missed out on a few more places that were within easy reach but I guess thats another reason to go back.

Will Tang says

April 8, 2015 at 12:11 AM

There’s always an endless number of reasons to go back to a place right? When were you last in Guangzhou?

April 1, 2015 at 11:38 AM

Thanks for the post! We actually live in Guangzhou and want to go to those hot springs – so thanks!

** However, I believe the 72 hour visa information that you have quoted is not completely accurate.

The 72 hour visa is only good for flights into China where you have a long stop-over (up to 72 hours) and you have an onward ticket to another country outside of China. Also, only certain airports within China participate in the program (although it is expanding). So I don’t believe you can take the train from HK with the 72 hour visa.

** But you can book tours with an official travel agent in Hong Kong that will include a special visa exemption — but it only let’s you visit certain areas of the mainland and you must go on a guided tour. For more details, you can check out a post here: https://www.peanutsorpretzels.com/how-to-get-a-visa-for-china/

Thanks for the tips – now off to find those hot springs!

Eating Adventures says

April 2, 2015 at 9:58 PM

Hi Liz, Thanks for that, we were mislead by the visa on arrival office at Guangzhou East station. The post has been updated.

Note that you still however can enter China at some entry points with some passports and obtain a tourist visa on arrival. I have done this myself for a tourist visa on an Australian passport at Shenzen airport. Travel agencies and other visa processing groups wont advertise this as it is not in their interest, but call up Shenzen airport and they will happily do it for you (or at least they did about 3 years ago!)

Katrina the Two Week Traveler says

March 31, 2015 at 7:40 PM

I thought the 72 hour transit visa was only for connecting flights I.e. flying from Hong Kong to say seoul with a Chinese layover. I don’t think you can just fly rt to China without a visa. I could be wrong but that was my understanding.

April 2, 2015 at 10:03 PM

Hi Katrina,

Thanks. We have updated the comments regarding the 72 hour visa. Note that as I described above, we have personally entered China by obtaining Visa on Arrival (tourist visa) using Australian passports. This was around 3 years ago and rules may have changed. Back then it was possible, but only government officials and not CITS etc will tell you this. We did have problems trying to board our flight to China as they didn’t believe it was possible, but we did it.

Find us on social media

You will be redirected to your dashboard shortly. We will also call you back in 24 hrs .

• 15 Exhilarating Day Trips From Hong Kong To Go Beyond The Glitz And Glamour

23 Mar 2023

Though Hong Kong is widely known for its own glitz and glamour, it boasts quite some beautiful destinations for the tourists to hook upon in the weekend. Undoubtedly, Hong Kong features a range of entertainment options from bars to casinos and what not but it also offers you the scope to relish on the authentic beauty of China, by availing some day trips from Hong Kong. Take day trips from Hong Kong to witness the beauty and indulge in fun.

15 Day Trips From Hong Kong

Know, where you can visit for experiencing the best trips from hong kong from below.

Image Source

Hong Kong hosts the most renowned day trips to Macau by ferry, and it takes approximately an hour. Once a Portuguese enclave, the land boasts its historical richness and colonial charms. You can definitely get a chance to delve into the cultural heritage during your Macau day trip from Hong Kong. Also, do not leave behind the mouthwatering Portuguese and Cantonese fusion foods.

Best time to visit Macau: October to December Ideal for: Families, friends, couples Ideal trip duration: 3 days Must-visit places in Macau (you can include tourist attractions and places): Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, Monte Fort, The Venetian Macao, Taipa How to reach Macau from the international airport: Ferries Weather: 20° C.

Must Read: Christmas In Hong Kong- A Detailed Guide For Your Christmas Trip To Hong Kong

Hong Kong & Macau Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle

Visit Hong Kong and explore disney land, ocean park, wet land park, victoria’s peak and Lantau Island. Further, explore Macau tower, the Venetian resort, Senedo square and more in Macau.

Fun-Filled Hong Kong Tour 4D/3N Packages @ 19,499/-

Plan your trip today!

Hong Kong Extravaganza Family 5D/4N Packages @ 29,500/-

Get quotes from multiple travel experts.

Fabulous Hong Kong & Macau Package 6D/5N @ 34,500/-

Compare & customize quotes before booking.

Amazing Hong Kong & Macau Tour Package 7D/6N @ 38,500/-

Have Questions? Talk to our travel experts today.

Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Macau Package 8D/7N @ 47,499/-

Best prices guaranteed. EMI option available.

See more at TRAVELTRIANGLE.COM

2. Shenzhen

Filled with quirky attractions throughout and lip-smacking eateries, Shenzhen is a shopaholic’s heaven on Earth. It is one of the best day trips from Hong Kong to China border where individuals can discover a range of local markets and bargain their heart out. Being one of the most popular day trips from Hong Kong to mainland China, Shenzhen has got a wide range of delights to offer to the tourists.

Best time to visit Shenzhen: October to December Ideal for: Friends, Technological nerds. Ideal trip duration: 3 days Must-visit places in London (you can include tourist attractions and places): Dameisha Beach, Happy Valley Shenzhen, Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Splendid China Folk Village, Lianhuashan Park How to reach Shenzhen from the international airport: Ferry, Bus, High-Speed Trains, Taxis. Weather: 22° C

Suggested Read: 35 Top-Rated Things To Do In Hong Kong

3. Mai Po Marshes

If you want to get up close and personal with nature, avail one of the best side trips from Hong Kong to Mai Po Marshes. It is a great option for someone who wants to take a break from the crowd of Hong Kong. The marshes are managed by World Wildlife Fund organisation and thus free entry is granted to the tourists.

Best time to visit Mai Po Marshes: February to March, October to December Ideal for: Nature lovers Idear trip duration: 3 days Must-visit places in London (you can include tourist attractions and places): Gei Wei, Mangroves, Deep Bay, Mai Po Nature Reserve. How to reach Mai Po Marshes from the international airport: Cabs, express trains, mini-bus Weather: 25° C

Suggested Read: 45 Most Delightful Tourist Places In Hong Kong On Your Trip

4. Cheung Chau

The city bustling with busy harbours and teeming with people has some tranquil beaches to offer. Besides, you can also come across some beautiful heritage temples and indulge in some lip-smacking dishes. The adventure lovers will be loving the place due to wide range of water activities they can avail.

Best time to visit Cheung Chau: July, August, and September. Ideal for: Family and Adventurers Idear trip duration: 4 days Must-visit places in Cheung Chau (you can include tourist attractions and places): Cheung Po Tsai Cave, Victoria Peak, Tung Wan Beach, Ocean Park, Pui O Beach. How to reach Cheung Chau from the international airport: Ferries Weather: 23° C

Suggested Read: 8 Spas In Hong Kong That Are All About Luxury And Soul Revival

5. Sai Kung

Sai Kung serves as Hong Kong’s major tropical destination with widespread coastlines and pristine beaches. You can have a great time by surfing, sunbathing, and tasting some great seafood here which makes it count and it won’t be wrong to say that Sai Kung is a great place for planning day trips from Hong Kong to.

Best time to visit Sai Kung: February to June Ideal for: Solo travelers, group of friends, family Idear trip duration: 7 days Must-visit places in Sai Kung (you can include tourist attractions and places): Pak Tam Chung, Lions Nature Education Centre, Sai Wan Pavilion, Sai Kung West Country Park, Sai Kung Public Pier. How to reach Sai Kung from the international airport: Taxi and Bus Weather: 21° C

Suggested Read: 6 Super Gorgeous Cafes In Hong Kong For An Ultimate Coffee Experience!

Day trips from Hong Kong to Lantau are quite popular with tourists and you should not miss out on it. The vast expanse of the island filled with dense forests, beaches, mountains, and quaint villages, serves as the perfect location to lay back, relax, and explore. You can also enjoy some great seafood and coastal atmosphere.

Best time to visit Lantau: October to December Ideal for: Beach lovers, solo travelers, teenagers, family Idear trip duration: 2 days Must-visit places in Lantau (you can include tourist attractions and places): Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Cheung Chau, Citygate, and Adventureland How to reach Lantau from the international airport: Train Weather: 25° C

Suggested Read: 10 Adventure Sports In Hong Kong For All Adrenaline Junkies

7. Shui Hau Beach

If you want to take a break from the regular hectic lifestyle, there cannot be any better destination than the Shui Hau Beach. Replete with white sandy beaches and tranquil atmosphere, it is the ideal place to experience some adventures for the kite surfers. The popular summer destination is known to be a great space for the clam diggers due to the presence of vast stretches of mudflat lands. One can get enough scopes to click pictures and take a stroll amidst the lush green nature.

Best time to visit Shui Hau Beach: November to April Ideal for: Couples, Family, Children Idear trip duration: 2 days Must-visit places in Shui Hau Beach (you can include tourist attractions and places): How to read London from the international airport: Cabs and mini-buses Weather: 21°C

Suggested Read: Hong Kong In December: A Handbook For Everyone Traveling To The Best Of All

8. Guangzhou

The third largest city of China has got something to fit everyone’s preferences. Unlike the glitz and glamour of Hong Kong, Guangzhou teems with the essence of rich colonial histories and bores the relevance of French and British influence. But that is not all. You can also try Cantonese food and visit the Guangzhou Opera House.

Best time to visit Guangzhou: October to mid-December Ideal for: Friends and family Idear trip duration: 2 days Must-visit places in Guangzhou (you can include tourist attractions and places): Chimelong Paradise, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, Canton Tower, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall How to reach Guangzhou from the international airport: Bus, cab Weather: 24° C

Suggested Read: 10 Marvelous Churches In Hong Kong Where You Can Unite With Your Inner Self!

Located just an hour away from Hong Kong, Zhuhai is comprised of more than a hundred islands and is easily by ferries. It offers a series of serene beaches, crystal clean waters, and a diverse range of seafood options. Apart from the serene atmosphere, the city is renowned for its party areas, located on the streets.

Best time to visit Zhuhai: March and April, November and December Ideal for: Family, friends, couples, a group of researchers. Idear trip duration: 3 days Must-visit places in Zhuhai (you can include tourist attractions and places): Zhuhai Museum, Jintai Temple, Tangjia Bay, The Meixi Scenic Archways, Seaside Park, WaiLingding Island, Zhuhai International Motor Racing Circuit. How to reach Zhuhai from the international airport: Bus, Taxis. Weather: 23° C

Suggested Read: Hong Kong in October: From Adventure, Sightseeings To Festivals There Is A Lot To See!

Popularised as the cultural hub of Hong Kong, Shunde teems with abundant natural attractions, beautiful heritage sites, and ancient temples. For someone who has a taste for fine architecture, Shunde serves as the ideal destination to visit. You can come across a number of natural attractions on the hill and spot some beautiful temples and explore the surroundings.

Best time to visit Shunde: July to September Ideal for: Couples, family, solo travelers Idear trip duration: 2 days Must-visit places in Shunde (you can include tourist attractions and places): Shunfengshan Park, Guangdong Foshan Huagai Road Pedestrian Street, Bijiang Golden House (South Gate), Qing Hui Yuan, Baolin Temple Ticket Office How to reach Shunde from the international airport: Train, Bus, Cabs

Suggested Read: Make A Note Of 5 Spots For Scuba Diving In Hong Kong To Get The Best Of Experience!

Often referred to as the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O is the quaint little fishing village and is known for the existence of remaining stilt settlement. Taste some delicious local foods and spend some time amidst nature. Besides, the most fascinating thing you can do here is, get a sneak peek of the lifestyle of the ancient Tanka community, living here.

Best time to visit Tai O: November to April Ideal for: Adventure, families, friends Idear trip duration: 2 days Must-visit places in Tai O (you can include tourist attractions and places): Tai O Rural Committee Historic and Cultural Room, Tai O Market, Yim Tin Mangrove Forest, Tseung Kwan Shek (General’s Rock), Lung Ngam Tse How to reach Tai O from the international airport: Ferry, Bus Weather: 25° C

Suggested Read: Hong Kong In Winter: A Little Guide To See The City In Merriment

12. New Territories

Located adjacent to the Kowloon Hills, the suburban area boasts its modern lifestyle, abundant culture, and serves as the traditional hub. You can enjoy ample time in nature and witness the cultural manifestations. The most popular site for you to explore here, is the Kat Hing Wai Walled Village, which is still inhabited by the original descendants of the Deng clan who built it.

Best time to visit New Territories: October to April Ideal for: Families and friends Idear trip duration: 4 days Must-visit places in New Territories (you can include tourist attractions and places): Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island, Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery. How to reach New Territories from the international airport: Taxis, Buses Weather: 24° C

Suggested Read: Hong Kong Visa For Indians: Requirements, Types And Guidelines

13. Beijing

If you want to get the essence of real China, there cannot be any better place. Being the capital city of China, it is referred as a cultural treasure which depicts the fascinating past of China. Do not forget to get a sight of the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, and also spot a number of gem locations and be mesmerised by the beauty.

Best time to visit Beijing: March to May Ideal for: Adventure, friends Idear trip duration: 2 days Must-visit places in Beijing (you can include tourist attractions and places): the Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall of Badaling How to reach Beijing from the international airport: Road and Rail Weather: 23° C

14. Lamma Island

For the ones who do not prefer a lot of hustle and want to escape to a destination which offers the perfect traveler-friendly atmosphere, Lamma Island is the perfect place to go for a day trip. It offers some beautiful beaches where you get ample chance to bask under the Sun. Some of the popular beaches include Lo So Shing Beach and Hung Shing Yeh Beach.

Best time to visit Lamma Island: October to May Ideal for: Adventure, families, friends Idear trip duration: 3 days Must-visit places in Lamma Island (you can include tourist attractions and places): Lo So Shing Beach, Lamma Island Family Walk, Hung Shing Yeh Beach How to reach Lamma Island from the international airport: Taxi, Bus, Train Weather: 25° C

15. Ngong Ping

The beautiful highland is known for its natural diversity and serves as a great location for the religious souls. Do not forget to get a sight of the iconic Tian Tan Buddha statue with a height of thirty-four meters is absolutely mesmerising. Once you are done adoring the sights of Ngong Ping, pay a visit to its neighbouring Po Lin Monastery.

Best time to visit Ngong Ping: July, August, October and December Ideal for: Friends and Family Idear trip duration: 3 days Must-visit places in Ngong Ping (you can include tourist attractions and places): Asian Institute of Applied Buddhism, Lotus Pond Temple, Po Lin Monastery Kiosk, Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Po Lin Monastery, Worship Plaza, Bodhi Tree How to reach Ngong Ping from the international airport: Taxi, Bus Weather: 23° C

Further Read: 5 Enchanting Monasteries In Hong Kong To Attain The Eternal State Of Nirvana!

The list of places mentioned above, can surely soak you in the true essence of China and cater to your knowledge about its culture. Having mentioned all the popular day trips from Hong Kong, where are you planning to visit first? Let us know which place you favoured the most! Also, if you are planning a trip to Hong Kong check out these customizable options and plan your trip with traveltriangle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips From Hong Kong

How can I commute within the city during the day?

You can find many options to commute within the city like bikes, cycles, taxis, trains, and buses to commute in the town. You can get several cabs and taxis to visit from one place to the other. You can get a MasterCard also if you want to avoid purchasing tickets multiple times for traveling within the city. You can also take long walks in the town and explore every corner of it, at your best.

What is the average temperature of Hong Kong during the day?

The average temperature of Hong Kong is about 22°C during the day. The weather of Hong Kong remains ideally dry and mild with hot and humid summers and warm and dry winters. However, the spring and autumn of the city are beautiful, and one must not miss the right site.

What type of clothes should I wear on day trips?

As Hong Kong experiences hot, humid, and dry climate throughout the year, it is better to carry bright and light clothing during your tour. So, pack up some shorts, comfortable t-shirts, flowy dresses and more like these.

Where can I shop during the day in Hong Kong?

There are many shops and markets where you can shop in Hong Kong during the day which include, Stanley Market (Hong Kong Island), Cat Street Market (Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island), Gough Street (Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island), Jardine’s Crescent (Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island), Tai Yuen Street (Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island), Apliu Street (Sham Shui Po, Kowloon) and many more.

What items should I carry during the day trip?

As the climate of Hong Kong is hot and humid, you need to carry an umbrella and water bottles along with you for the day trip. Also, make sure you are carrying a sunscreen lotion with you so that you do not get tanned.

How many days do I need for a complete sightseeing day trip?

You will need at least a week to complete your sightseeing day trip to Hong Kong. There are several trips featured from Hong Kong to several parts of the towns where you can relish your eyes upon.

How long can I access the ferry during the day?

Ferries can be accessed until evening, but the frequency is not much. There are ferry services available.

Looking To Book An International Holiday?

Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.

Trip to Sri Lanka at Rs 13,500/-

Plan Your Vacation Today!

Trip to Singapore at Rs 20,499/-

Get Quotes From Local Experts

Mauritius Holiday Starting at Rs 65,000/-

Talk to Our Experts Today

Maldives Honeymoon Trip at Rs 39,800/-

Pay with easy EMI Option

Europe Trip at Rs 89,999/-

All Inclusive Deals

Vacation in Dubai at Rs 27,499/-

Hong Kong Holiday at Rs 24,999/-

Money Safe Guarantee

Thailand Holiday at Rs 7,999/-

Flights Excluded

People Also Read:

Day Trips From Rome Day Trips From Vancouver Day Trips From Luxor

Recent Posts

Step Into Namdroling Monastery Golden Temple

Everything You Need To Know About The Scenic Spot Of Kote Abbe Falls

Hotels in Kallakurichi That Offer Cosy Accommodations At Best Deals

Jagatsukh Is A Soothing Place For Your Trip To Himachal

Hotels In Ramanathapuram That Offers Best Accommodation

Resorts Near Nisargadhama For An Ideal Vacation

Trending Blogs

20 Mysterious Places In India To Visit In 2024 More Bizarre Than The Bermuda Triangle

10 Scariest Roads In India That Are A Driver’s Nightmare

101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30 in 2024

35 Exotic Places To Visit In December In India 2024 To Enjoy A Surreal Vacation

60 Best Honeymoon Destinations In India In 2024

95 Best Honeymoon Destinations In The World In 2023 For A Romantic Escape!

Best Places To Visit In India By Month

Best places to visit outside india by month.

• TravelTriangle
• International
• Hong Kong »
• Tour Packages
• Honeymoon Packages
• Family Packages
• Budget Tour Packages
• Luxury Tour Packages
• Adventure Tour Packages
• Group Tour Packages
• Maldives Tour Packages
• Bali Tour Packages
• Dubai Tour Packages
• Singapore Tour Packages
• Thailand Tour Packages
• Europe Tour Packages
• Sri Lanka Tour Packages
• Tour Packages From Delhi
• Tour Packages From Mumbai
• Tour Packages From Bangalore
• Tour Packages From Chennai
• Tour Packages From Kolkata
• Tour Packages From Hyderabad
• Tour Packages From Ahmedabad
• Thailand Tourism
• Bali Tourism
• Singapore Tourism
• Maldives Tourism
• Mauritius Tourism
• Dubai Tourism
• Europe Tourism
• Hotels in Thailand
• Hotels in Maldives
• Hotels in Mauritius
• Hotels in Bali
• Hotels in Dubai
• Hotels in Singapore
• Hotels in Sri Lanka

Home » Hong Kong » Best Short Trips And Weekend Getaways From Hong Kong With Kids

Best Short Trips And Weekend Getaways From Hong Kong With Kids

Top family-friendly short-haul trips from hong kong.

Families living in Hong Kong, it’s time to pack your bags and get ready for epic short-haul trips away with kids in tow! There are tons of fabulous short family getaways to explore bits of Asia. The kids will also love the short-haul adventures around the region. With short family-friendly getaways from Hong Kong to places like Japan and Bali, there’s something for everyone. Even better, jet-setting families don’t need to stress about taking extended leave from work and school when heading out on these fun-filled short getaways. Little Steps has rounded up some of the best short trips and weekend getaways from Hong Kong with kids so that you can get cracking on planning mini-family trips for the rest of the year. Our guide covers unique short getaways and easy weekend trips with flights to destinations all around Asia. Happy travels!

• Unique Short Haul Weekend Getaways In Asia
• Short Haul Holidays For Couples In Asia
• Short Haul Adventure Trips For Families In Asia
• Best Weekend And Short-Haul Trips For Toddlers And Babies In Asia

VIETNAM: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (1 Hour And 55 Minutes From Hong Kong Direct)

Book a short family getaway to Da Nang, a large coastal city in central Vietnam known for its gorgeous sweeping sandy beaches and tantalizing street food. Mi Quang anyone? Go between March and October to avoid the rainy season. With abundant transport options, Da Nang is the perfect base for quick day trips to nearby Hoi An city and the stunning inland Bà Nà hills. Visit the iconic Golden Hands Bridge and the incredible Hải Vân Pass.

Our top pick for family-friendly accommodation in Da Nang would be the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort , just a 30-minute drive away from Da Nang International Airport. Enjoy this resort’s unspoiled rainforest setting and incredible architecture, with a 700-meter private beach, free watersports, a kids club, exceptional dining at La Maison 1888, and a spa! They offer daily shuttle buses to Hoi An for exploring this ancient city’s colourful shophouses, pretty street lanterns, narrow canals, and weathered pagodas, surrounded by lush rice paddies. Don’t miss Hoi An’s famed 17th-Century Japanese Bridge and book a fantastic food tour through Taste of Hoi An .

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Bai Bac, SonTra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam, +84 236 3938888, [email protected], www.ihg.com

The Original Taste Of Hoi An Food Tour, 58B Tran Cao Van Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam, +84 905 101 930, [email protected], www.tasteofhoian.com

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to visiting Da Nang and Hoi An with Kids, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/vietnam/hoi-an/da-nang-with-kids

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to the Best Family Hotels and Resorts in Da Nang, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/vietnam/hoi-an/family-hotels-resorts-in-danang

THE PHILIPPINES: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (3 Hours From Hong Kong Via Manila)

Fancy experiencing a slice of paradise with the family? Book a mini getaway to the breathtaking tropical archipelagic province of the Philippines, Palawan. Reach Palawan with a short 2-hour flight to Manila from Hong Kong and a further 1-hour domestic flight to either Coron or El Nido in Palawan from Manila. Visit between October to May for Palawan’s dry season. Enjoy the picturesque tropical islands of Palawan set in crystal clear waters. For families who love to dive, Palawan is a diving mecca offering up unique diving opportunities.

Stay at one of the luxurious family-friendly El Nido Resorts - Pangalusian Island, Lagen Island and Miniloc Island. Each resort offers a wide range of facilities and indoor and outdoor activities to keep the whole family entertained. For a unique experience, book a tour through Corazon Travel & Tours to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Also check out Tao Philippines offering fabulous expeditions to the most remote islands in Palawan.

El Nido Resorts, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, +63 27 902 5934, [email protected], www.elnidoresorts.com

Corazon Travel & Tours, 2 Junction 1, San Miguel, Puerto Princesa, Philippines, +63 927 685 5534, [email protected], www.toursbycorazon.com

Tao Philippines, Tao House, National Highway, El Nido, Philippines, +63 908 890 8033, [email protected], www.taophilippines.com

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to El Nido with Kids, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/the-philippines/el-nido-with-kids

THAILAND: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (3 Hours From Hong Kong Direct)

When you think of Thailand holidays, most think of beach days in Phuket. However, the quieter jungle escape of Chiang Mai should not be overlooked as an incredible short family getaway option. Visit between November and February when the weather is cooler and perfect for outdoor activities. Get up close with Chiang Mai’s gentle giants, the elephants at Into the Wild Elephant Camp in the southern part of Chiang Mai. At this no-ride ethical elephant camp for rescued elephants, you’ll get to feed, walk with, and bathe these majestic animals.

We recommend staying at the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai . This wonderful family-friendly resort is a half hour drive from central Chiang Mai. The kiddos will love the expansive grounds with terraced rice paddies at this resort, plus they’ll get a kick out of the resident water buffaloes drifting around. There’s a Kids Club, cooking classes, Thai clay molding, tie-dye experiences, and lovely nature walks to be enjoyed here. Head out on an epic jungle trek with Chiang Mai Trekking by Piroon Nantaya.

Into the Wild Elephant Camp, 52/1-2 Changhuak Road, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 96 479 5674, [email protected], www.intothewildelephantcamp.com

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, 502 Moo 1, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 53 298 181, [email protected], www.fourseasons.com/chiangmai

Chiang Mai Trekking, 12 Ratpakinai Road, Tambol Prasing Ampoe, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 81 961 1015, [email protected], www.chiangmai-trekking.com

CHINA: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (3 Hours And 30 Minutes From Hong Kong Direct)

Travel to China has opened up again, so there’s no excuse not to visit mainland China with the family. We recommend visiting Beijing, China’s sprawling capital. Visit during the temperate seasons from March to May and from September to October. There are tons of fun family activities to enjoy around this vibrant global city. Admire the mix of modern architecture and ancient sites like the grand Forbidden City complex, the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Book a tour at The Palace Museum to see this impressive place.

Check the family into the luxurious Rosewood Beijing hotel and bring the dogs along with their pet friendly getaway package. Relax at the hotel’s Sense Spa and splash in one of the biggest indoor heated pools in the city. What’s more, the hotel can arrange bespoke tours to different parts of the city including a wild section of the Great Wall that isn’t clogged with tourists.

The Palace Museum, 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China, +86 10 8500 7427, [email protected], www.en.dpm.org.cn

Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Beijing, China, +86 10 6597 8888, [email protected], www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/beijing

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to the Top Family-Friendly Hotels in Beijing, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/china/beijing/family-friendly-hotels-beijing

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to Visiting the Mutianyu Section of The Great Wall of China, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/china/beijing/mutianyu-section-great-wall-of-china

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to Visiting China with Kids, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/china/best-destinations-china-with-kids

MONGOLIA: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (4 Hours And 40 Minutes From Hong Kong Direct)

If Mongolia wasn’t on your travel list before, it’s time to add it in! Visit between May and August for the best weather. If you time your trip right, you could catch Mongolia’s vibrant Naadam Festival taking place from 11 to 15 July yearly. Enjoy wrestling, horse racing, archery, and cultural song and dance during the fest. The largest gathering for this lively and colorful festival is in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar.

This large city in north-central Mongolia is complete with high rises and modern amenities. Families can enjoy a luxurious and comfortable stay at Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar complete with an Adventure Zone Playground for kids in the center and bespoke tours arranged by the concierge. Get outdoors near the city into Mongolia’s famed countryside. Hike Mt. Bogd Khan and ride horses in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

Naadam Festival, Jargal Expedition LLC., Khan Uul District, 2nd khoroo, Chingis Khaan Avenue, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, +976 1 750 50 999, [email protected], www.naadamfest.com

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar, 19 Olympic Street, Sukhbaatar District-1, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, +976 7702 9999, [email protected], www.shangri-la.com

Check out Little Steps’ Mongolia 1 Week Itinerary for Families, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/mongolia/mongolia-itinerary-for-families

NEPAL: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (5 Hours And 30 Minutes From Hong Kong Direct)

When you think of Nepal holidays, thoughts of difficult treks through the Himalayas might come to mind. Think again! The Annapurna Circuit, a section of Nepal's Himalayas, is considered one of the great walks of the world, guiding trekkers of all ages on "tea-house treks" through picturesque mountain trails and colorful villages. This is adventure travel for families with the added bonus of loads of bonding time. Young tots and kids can be carried in a basket by porters for the long treks. We recommend contacting Responsible Adventures for family trekking and travel around Nepal - they rock!

Visit Nepal between October to December for the clearest skies. If you’re going on short day trekking trips in Nepal’s Himalayas, consider staying over in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Kathmandu is fantastic for its history, rich culture, and geography with incredible views of the Himalayas. Our top pick for family-friendly affordable accommodation in Kathmandu is at Hotel Shanker . This beautiful and luxurious former royal palace features a large outdoor pool and large family suites.

Responsible Adventures, 17 Sundarnagar, Amrit Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal, +977 980 108 2108, [email protected], www.responsibleadventures.com

Hotel Shanker, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal, +977 1 4510151, [email protected], www.shankerhotel.com.np

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to Trekking in Nepal with Kids, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/nepal/trekking-in-nepal-with-kids

SINGAPORE: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (4 Hours From Hong Kong Direct)

Singapore is a popular holiday destination for families visiting from Hong Kong. With many activities to keep the whole family entertained, it's no surprise. This cosmopolitan, green, and luxurious destination will energize your soul! Take the kids on leisurely night strolls through the futuristic and vibrant garden display at Gardens by the Bay . Spend an epic day with hours of thrilling fun at Singapore’s Universal Studios .

Our pick of the best place to stay in Singapore with kids would be at D’Resort @ Downtown East . This little slice of paradise comes complete with Rainforest and Underwater themed family rooms and an integrated water park experience. Right at this resort’s doorstep, is one of the longest stretches of beach in Singapore - Pasir Ris Beach. Perfect for beach fun! Singapore is a year-round destination.

Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore, +65 6420 6848, [email protected], www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore, +65 6577 8888, [email protected], www.rwsentosa.com

D’Resort @ Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599, +65 6582 3322, [email protected], www.dresort.com.sg

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to 50 Adventures for Families in Singapore, www.littlestepsasia.com/singapore/play/top-things-to-do-with-kids/family-friendly-adventures

JAPAN: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (4-5 Hours From Hong Kong)

For something a little different and a truly memorable short getaway, hit the snowy slopes of Japan between December to early April for a fabulous ski trip. We recommend visiting Niseko and Hakuba - two of Japan’s finest ski resort towns. They guarantee the best powder around! Check out the Niseko Village website for top family activities and accommodation options around Niseko. For info on skiing and staying in Hakuba, check out the Hakuba website .

For additional accommodation options, Zekkei Collection offers a collection of family-friendly villa rentals in Japan that are strategically located near the slopes. With large villas that can accommodate up to 10 people, why not bring your pals and their mini ski bunnies as well for a fun group holiday in a winter wonderland.

Niseko Village, Higashiyama-onsen, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, Japan, +81 136 44 3311, [email protected], www.niseko-village.com

Hakuba, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Japan, +81 50 4560 1087, [email protected], www.hakuba.com

Zekkei Collection, +852 2815 8870, [email protected], www.zekkeicollection.com

Check out Little Steps’ Hakuba Ski Resort Guide for Families and Kids, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/japan/hakuba/hakuba-ski-resort-with-kids

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to Niseko with Kids, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/japan/niseko/niseko-and-hirafu-with-kids

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to Lesser Known Ski Resorts in Japan, www.littlestepsasia.com/travel/japan/secret-ski-resorts-in-japan

BORNEO, MALAYSIA: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (4 Hours From Hong Kong Via Kota Kinabalu)

There are many five-star resorts that dot Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo Island. But, for families looking for some peace and quiet on the road less travelled, try hopping over from Borneo to Malaysia's remote Gaya Island. This is the perfect place to tune-out and enjoy quality time as a family. Visit between April to September for the driest months.

Stay with kids in tow at the Gayana Marine Resort . Here you’ll think you’ve been transported to the Maldives as you stay in superb over-water bungalows set above clear, turquoise waters, and a powdery beach. For something exciting, book an underwater sea walking marine excursion at nearby Sapi Island.

Gayana Marine Resort, Malohom Bay, Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, +60 88 380 390, [email protected], www.echoresorts.com

Adventoro Tours, 27C, Jalan SS 22/19, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, +60 10 468 8011, [email protected], www.adventoro.com

BALI: Short Family-Friendly Getaways From Hong Kong (5 Hours From Hong Kong Direct)

Bali ranks high up there as a popular family-friendly destination and is a great option for a short-haul getaway from Hong Kong. Take the family to visit the south coast village of Canggu. Canggu is packed with spots to eat, shop, stay, and play! Chill at Finns Beach Club on Berawa Beach. With a dedicated family area, pools, bars, restaurants, daily DJ’s, sunset views - there’s plenty of fun to be had!

Be sure to head to Finns Recreation Club for many action-packed facilities - Bounce Trampoline Centre, Splash Waterpark, Strike Bowling, and more! Book your stay at Como Uma Canggu . This beachfront luxury resort offers various accommodation options and a Como Kids Club. Visit Bali between April to October for the Island’s dry season.

Finns Beach Club, Jl. Pantai Berawa No.99, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, +62 361 844 6327, [email protected], www.finnsbeachclub.com

Finns Recreation Club, Jl. Pantai Berawa, Canggu, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, +62 361 848 3939, [email protected], www.finnsrecclub.com

Como Uma Canggu, Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan, Echo Beach, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, +62 361 620 2228, [email protected], www.comohotels.com

Check out Little Steps’ Guide to Canggu with Kids and Toddlers, www.littlestepsasia.com/bali/play/neighborhood-guides/canggu-with-kids-and-toddlers

Additional Info:​

20 Secret Beaches In Asia For Families,  Click here

Top Destinations For Families From Hong Kong:

Cambodia (3-hour flight from Hong Kong)

Laos (6-hour flight with connection from Hong Kong)

Koh Samui, Thailand (3.5-hour direct flight from Hong Kong)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (4-hour flight from Hong Kong)

South Korea (3.5-hour flight from Hong Kong),

Taipei, Taiwan  (1 hour 45 minute-flight from Hong Kong)

Little Steps Asia knows what families need. Sign up for our email newsletters to get the most out of Asia!

Best Family-Friendly Events In Hong Kong – June 2024

Lamma palooza: family-friendly music & art festival on lamma island, get your tickets for the 100% doraemon & friends exhibition in hong kong, stanley dragon boat festival in hong kong with kids, hong kong science fair 2024: discover, explore, innovate, ginsanity 2024: celebrate world gin day at hong kong’s ultimate gin festival, join an open afternoon at ymca christian academy, watch football legends at the hkfc standard chartered soccer sevens this may, top events for families and kids this summer in hong kong 2024, book your tickets to the west end musical sensation mamma mia in hong kong.

Black Sheep Restaurants’ Black Series Is Back With New Extraordinary Experiences To Book!

Prepare For A Fun Night Out At RightSideUp: Classic Americana Bar In Central Hong Kong

Best Doughnuts And Mini Donuts In Hong Kong

Travel Like A VIP With ALLWAYS’s Concierge Services At Hong Kong International Airport

Hong kong tips, deals + events., sign up for the bump club to get exclusive info + deals..

We Know Asia

Weekly emails for bump club, travel and more.

Got kids? Little Steps Asia gives you the scoop on all the things to do and see with babies, toddlers, and kids in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Jakarta, Macau, and beyond. From family-friendly hotels, kids and baby shops, the best schools and after school activities, pregnancy tips and meet-ups and more – we have you sorted.

FOLLOW US ON

Sign up to receive the free Little Steps email newsletter packed with news, offers, and hidden treasures for Hong Kong families.

© 2024 Little Steps Asia. All rights reserved.

RSVP for Best Short Trips And Weekend Getaways From Hong Kong With Kids

• The 14 Best Day Trips...

The Best Day Trips From Hong Kong

Make the most of a visit to the 852 by checking out these sister cities and nearby attractions. The skyscrapers will be there when you get back, so head to the outlying islands for a tropical escape, or to mainland China for unbeatable shopping. There’s so much more to Hong Kong than a skyline – discover it for yourself with these easy outings.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips . Hong Kong is one of the most connected cities in the world. As any resident will tell you, it’s perfectly situated for quick, weekend trips around Asia. But if you don’t have a full 48 hours to spare, consider taking a day trip. In under two hours, you could be lounging on the beach, strolling through a Ming Dynasty garden or winning big at a Macanese casino. And the best part is, you can be back in Lan Kwai Fong for happy hour.

The most well-known day trip from Hong Kong is Macau . Our “sister SAR” has it all: Michelin-star restaurants, world-class entertainment, UNESCO heritage sites, a Grand Prix racetrack and street food galore (pork buns and Portuguese egg tarts are must-tries while in town). And if you fancy yourself a poker pro or a slot machine master, you’re in luck. Macau is the world’s gambling capital, taking in more casino revenue than even Las Vegas. Booking a tour will get you a full day in this historic city, including hotel pick-up, a boat ride and a local guide.

Lantau Island

Get in touch with your spiritual side on Lantau Island , home of the Tian Tian Buddha. Known simply as the “Big Buddha”, this gigantic statue sits above the Po Lin monastery, where monks still live and study. You can visit the monastery to learn more about Buddhism before climbing up the stairs to the statue. The best way to get here is the glass-bottomed Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, which offers a 360-degree view of Lantau and the South China Sea below. The monks often sell wooden bracelets near the Big Buddha, which make a nice souvenir.

Despite being just two hours from Hong Kong, tourists often skip Guangzhou . But China’s third-largest city has a lot to offer. If you’re only visiting Hong Kong for a few days, it’s worth booking a tour, as they’ll arrange your visa and round-trip transportation. So, really, all you need to do is show up and explore the blend of new and traditional architecture, visit pandas at Shenzhen Safari Park and see some of the famous Xi’an Terracotta Warriors.

Yim Tin Tsai

Yim Tin Tsai is an abandoned island off the coast of Sai Kung. In the 1700s, it was home to a family of salt farmers. But their industry collapsed in the 1960s, and by 1990 the entire island was deserted. The families left their homes intact, leaving behind everyday items like bowls, radios and furniture, and creating an accidental time capsule. While it may have a slightly creepy vibe, it’s perfectly safe. There’s also a Romanesque chapel and a Village Heritage Exhibition to check out. Ferries run from Sai Kung, but don’t miss the last one back!

If you’re craving a beach day, you’re in luck. In Hong Kong, pristine beaches and azure-blue waters are just a ferry ride away. The Sai Kung peninsula is a wonderland for nature lovers, whether you’re keen to kayak, swim or explore the trails. Hike up the mountains to find postcard-perfect views, and then cool off in a waterfall pool, or explore the area’s distinct geology. Tours are available and easy to customise for your group – you can even rent a speedboat to whisk you away to the most remote spots, no hiking required.

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $1,656 on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

Lamma Island

Another island option for beach lovers is Lamma. This is Hong Kong’s “hippy” neighbourhood , known for barefoot children, seafood and expats who never leave. All the paths here are paved and suitable for most fitness levels, so you can hike out to the better beaches, like Shek Pai Wan. If you have time before your ferry, pop into the locally run boutique shops for an unusual souvenir. There are no cars on the island, and it’s a great place to bring kids.

Junk boats are all-day charters that dominate the social scene throughout spring and summer. You can plan your own or join someone else’s (keep an eye on Meetup.com if you’re visiting alone), just remember to bring plenty of sunscreen and water. Then, spend the day floating in the clear waters of Hong Kong’s most remote islands. If you’re feeling brave, take a leap off the top deck. Check out Hong Kong Junks or Junks.hk to start planning yours, or grab a seat on the Aqua Luna that does regular cruises around Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Global Geopark

Hong Kong’s famous skyline often overshadows its equally impressive geology. Spend the day exploring this unusual UNESCO site, where you’ll learn about the area’s volcanic origins and see the unique hexagonal rock formations that make it so interesting. Sharp Island is a great place to start exploring. Go at low tide to see the “pineapple bun” rocks, pieces of weathered quartz monzonite that look like a Hong Kong snack. You don’t need to be a geologist to appreciate this one, trust us.

Tai Mo Shan Waterfall Adventure Hike

Swap the tourist trail for a hiking trail with a visit to Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak. You’ll pass the four stunning Ng Tung Chai waterfalls en route, each more picturesque than the last. Though the hike is tough , this area is popular year-round, and you can always dip into the waterfall pools to cool off.

Dragon’s Back Hike

Don’t be deterred by the crowds, Dragon’s Back is known as Asia’s best urban hike for a reason. Besides being one of the easier trails to find, it rewards hikers with beautiful views and a beach finale. The first thirty minutes are the hardest, as it’s basically a non-stop climb up stone steps. But from there, the ground evens out and you can enjoy the view over the Ninepin Islands, Shek O and the Red Hill peninsula. The trail finishes at Big Wave Bay beach, a perfect spot to reward the morning’s work with a few beers ice-cold beers.

Right across the border lies Shenzhen , the undisputed shopping capital of China. Lose yourself across the five floors of the infamous Lo Wu Commercial Shopping Plaza, where haggling is expected (start at 50% of the asking price). Then, take in a totally different side to the city at Lizhi Park, a tranquil oasis with lakes, pavilions and beautiful bridges. For even more relaxation, book into a 24-hour spa.

Cheung Chau Island

To find out why Cheung Chau is a local favourite, just hop on a ferry. A day is all you need on this small yet fascinating island where you’ll find a vibrant market, colourful fishing villages and beautiful beaches. Pak Tai Temple is over two centuries old and honours the Taoist god of the sea with Qing and Song Dynasty artworks. Cheung Chau is also a foodie’s paradise, so bring an appetite and make sure to sample the fishballs and the famous mango mochi before you go.

If you want to see China but don’t have the time for a full trip, Shunde is an excellent option. Just a few hours away by coach or train, this lesser known district is known as a culinary destination and was named gourmet capital of the world by UNESCO in 2014. Huagai Road is the place to go to sample all their best street food. If you’re in the market for some new furnishings, Lecong Furniture City is the largest market of its kind, selling over 20,000 types of furniture. Trains leave from West Kowloon station.

Boats, seafood, stilt houses and pink dolphins – Tai O pretty much has it all. Tucked into a quiet corner of Lantau Island, Tai O is home to Hong Kong’s Tanka people, or boat people. For the last few generations, the Tanka have built their unique homes above the tidal flats. Wander through their striking village, sample the seafood and take a boat tour. You might even see a rare Chinese pink dolphin. You can tack this on to your Big Buddha visit, or make a special trip on the MTR – it’s about an hour from Central.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips , led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.

Places to Stay

Hip holiday apartments in hong kong you'll want to call home.

See & Do

The 15 best tours in hong kong.

Beyond the Skyscrapers: Unexpected Adventures in Hong Kong’s Great Outdoors

Exploring Hong Kong’s Culture Capital: the Wonders of West Kowloon

The Best Hostels and Hotels to Book in Hong Kong

Food & Drink

How britain's love for tea helped build hong kong.

The Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Hong Kong

Four Fabulous Days in Hong Kong: an Insider’s Guide

City on a Plate: A Love Letter to Hong Kong From the Queen of Bao, May Chow

The 12 Best Experiences in Hong Kong

The Best Spa Hotels in Hong Kong

Stay Curious: Experience Hong Kong From Your Living Room

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,656 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1001370988
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

Best Hong Kong Tours

Top Things to Do

Budget-Friendly Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Hong Kong's Top Museums

Guide to Hong Kong Park

Top Hikes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Best Beaches

Shopping in Hong Kong

Top Markets to Visit

Hong Kong's Top Festivals

Best Street Food

Top Restaurants in Hong Kong

Family-Friendly Restaurants

Nightlife in Hong Kong

The Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Hong Kong International Airport Guide

Top Places to Visit

24 Hours in Hong Kong

Day Trips From Hong Kong

The 5 Best Day Trips to Take From Hong Kong

Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Beijing

Day trips from Hong Kong are a great chance to see more of the real China - it's just across the border. Shenzhen and Guangzhou are the most popular destinations thanks to their proximity, while Zhuhai is gaining an increasing number of fans. The easiest day trip from Hong Kong is a short hop across the water to Macau where you'll find a combination of Las Vegas casinos and Lisboa architecture less than an hour away. 

See our top five day trips below for a selection of the best trips just a few hours from Hong Kong. Or, if you want somewhere more off the beaten track, try some hidden China from Hong Kong trips where you'll find Ming era temples and mountain retreats. 

Macau: Best for Relaxing

Hands down the best day trip from Hong Kong, Macau is just an hour away by ferry and offers a cracking combination of quaint Portuguese charm and the bright lights of its casino strip – this is after all the biggest gambling center on earth. With ferries running between the two cities twenty-four hours a day and few nationalities requiring a visa to visit Macau, it's an easy trip to make. Don't forget to dig into some Macanese cuisine while you're there - a winning mix of Portuguese spices and Cantonese cooking. 

Need visa? No Travel time - 1hr by ferry

Guangzhou: Best for a Slice of China

Guangzhou is often overlooked when people are picking a Chinese city to visit, but while it may lack tea houses and temples this is very much the face of modern China. If you want to get a feel for where China’s incredible economic growth is going, you can find the answer in the sleek skyscrapers, fast cars and air-conditioned malls of Guangzhou. There is also the elegant architecture of Shaiman Island, where British, American and French companies traded from in the 19th century. The fine colonial trading outposts have been repurposed as restaurants, cafes, and bars. 

Need visa?  Yes, Chinese Visa or Guangdong visa Travel time - 2hrs by train

Shenzhen: Best for Location

Shenzhen is where Hong Kong and China blend together, so much so that there are calls to merge the two cities into one mega-metropolis. Set just across the Chinese border, Shenzhen is less than an hour away on the Hong Kong MTR. The drawback? There is next to nothing to see and the real reason most people visit the city is to shop – almost everything here is cheaper than in Hong Kong. An added advantage is that some nationalities have access to the special Shenzhen Economic Zone visa, which cuts down on paperwork and prices.

Need Visa?  Yes, Shenzhen Economic Zone visa or Chinese visa Travel time - 45mins by train

Zhuhai: Best Off the Beaten Track

While Zhuhai might be a minnow of a city by Chinese standards, it still boasts well over a million residents and is typical of the concrete jungles that have sprung up all over Southern China in the last twenty years. If you want to get a picture of daily life in a fairly standard Chinese city, Zhuhai is a good snapshot. It's enjoyably less developed than both Shenzhen and Guangzhou and with a fantastic stretch of coastline and beautiful islands far more laid back. Zhuhai is a popular getaway for Hong Kongers, and restaurants and bars have sprung up along the beaches and boardwalks to cater for the tourists. Ferries from Hong Kong take just over one hour to reach the city.

Need visa? Yes, Chinese visa Travel time - 1hr 20min by ferry

Beijing: Best for Splashing Out

Really want to see China? Then you need to book yourself on a flight to Beijing. This is a long haul, and you’re ​best connections are leaving Hong Kong at 8:00 am. That gets you into Beijing just after 11 am. You'll have six hours to explore the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs and the rest of the nations most important national treasures before hopping back on the 21:00 departure from Beijing to Hong Kong. 

Need visa? Yes, Chinese visa Travel time - 3hr 30min by plane

Traveling Between Hong Kong and China

12 Things to Do in Hong Kong, China on a Budget

Visiting China From Hong Kong

Best Sights to Visit in Guangzhou

A Traveler's Guide to Macau On a Dime

Your Trip to Hong Kong: The Complete Guide

Macau International Airport Guide

A Visitor's Guide to the City of Zhengzhou

Top Luxury Serviced Apartments and Short Term Apartment Rentals in Hong Kong

A Walk Down Hong Kong's Hollywood Road

Nightlife in Macao: Best Bars, Clubs, & More

10 Top Things to Do in Wan Chai, Hong Kong

14 Best Things to Do in Macao

The Best Hong Kong Transit Tours for Your Next Layover

20 Best Things to Do in Shenzhen, China

Beijing Guide: Planning Your Trip

• Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard
• Online check in
• Manage booking
• Flight status
• Travelling with animals
• Travel requirements
• Student fares
• Wi-Fi and connectivity
• Contact us and FAQs

No messages.

Hong Kong will always be home, but it’s also a fantastic springboard for exploring the rest of the world. With Southeast Asia on your doorstep, you could be temple-hopping through Bali or slurping down authentic pho noodles in Vietnam in just a few hours.

If you’re itching for a quick getaway, we’ve put together a list of the best places you can fly to from Hong Kong in under five hours. We’ve also thrown in some sightseeing suggestions and a selection of beautiful hotels you’ll be able to redeem with your miles through Cathay Holidays .

Credit: Getty Images

Flight time: 2 hours

Steeped in history and peppered with French colonial architecture, Hanoi is a fantastic introduction to Vietnam – and just a two-hour flight from Hong Kong. Skyscrapers stand alongside ornate temples and grand old mansions in this city, which balances a heaving metropolis with easy-to-reach countryside areas.

The Old Quarter is the beating heart of the tourist circuit, lined with French-style buildings and street stalls touting banh mi, pho and more. Hire a local guide to take you on a tasty food tour of the area, before delving into the country’s rich culture at a Water Puppet show or one of the city’s numerous museums.

Where to stay

For old-world glamour in the French Quarter: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi . For boutique charm in the Old Quarter: La Siesta Classic Ma May .

Flight time: 3-4 hours

Live out your K-Drama fantasies in South Korea’s capital, where cool kids mingle with crisply dressed businesspeople in streets suffused with history. A visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace should be at the top of your list of things to do in Seoul, and it’s worth looking into a private tour to really appreciate its rich heritage.

Meanwhile, you’ll be able to grab all your skincare and beauty bits at shopping district Myeongdong, as well as Instagrammable street snacks like gigantic spiral-cut potatoes and sky-high ice cream cones. For a taste of young Seoul, head to Hongdae, where artsy types and university students typically hang out among the district’s barbecue joints and bars. To get more out of your visit, try following a self-guided Hongdae audio tour that will better acquaint you with Seoul's alternative side.

For a chic base in the Hongdae neighbourhood: L7 Hongdae . For Gangnam-style digs: InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas .

If you love Hong Kong’s blend of old and new, quirky and cosmopolitan, you’ll love Singapore, a city that celebrates Southeast Asian culture while embracing modernity. Snap a picture underneath the futuristic supertrees at Gardens by the Bay before venturing into the tropical Cloud Forest to see one of the tallest indoor waterfalls in the world.

You’ll be drawn to Little India by its Crayola-coloured buildings, but you’ll stay for the temples and restaurants – we recommend tuning into an audio walking tour to really soak it all in. And when you’re hungry, seek out one of the city’s numerous hawker centres for steaming platters of chilli crab, oyster omelette and char kway teow.

For luxurious views over Marina Bay: The Fullerton Bay Hotel . For infinity pool snaps near Little India: Andaz Singapore .

Need to de-stress? The ultimate remedy is to flop on a white sand beach in Phuket, a destination famed for its luxurious seaside resorts and extravagant villas. Once you’ve maxed out on cocktails by the pool, it’s time to start exploring. From boat tours to the gorgeous Phi Phi and Khai Islands to beginners’ Muay Thai classes, there are activities to suit every type of traveller.

Spas and hotels offering massage treatments abound across the city, as do restaurants well versed in the art of pad Thai and spicy coconut curry. If you’re travelling in a group, a night out on the lively Bangla Street will have you dancing all night long – and retreating to its many late-night fast-food joints for a post-club meal.

For remote pool villas hidden among lush jungle: Keemala . For all-inclusive Thai luxury: Banyan Tree Phuket .

Flight time: 5 hours

Teeming with yoga havens, meditation retreats and incredible food, Bali is virtually synonymous with rejuvenation – perfect if you’re looking for a mental and physical reset over a long weekend. Ubud, home to the popular Monkey Forest and lined with cool cafes and restaurants, is packed with things to do – and it’s worth investing in a private tour if you have a full day to spare.

Head further south and you’ll discover the coastal cliffs of Uluwatu, where ultra-luxe resorts promise sprawling ocean views. Join the crowds congregating at Uluwatu Temple to see the sun set over its spire before settling down to watch a traditional Kecak Fire Dance. You’ll be able to tick off both experiences in one go if you join a temple tour , which will further enlighten you about the site’s deep history.

For secluded jungle luxury: Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton-Reserve . For beachside glamour and Balinese barbecues: Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali .

Hero image: Getty Images

Sai Kung Guide — 7 Day Trip Itineraries to an Often Forgotten Side of Hong Kong

For the adventurous seeking a dose of nature in Hong Kong, Sai Kung comes as a nice surprise. Here are seven types of day trips to Sai Kung for those looking to hike, try out water sports or simply sightsee and eat!

First published: 7 Jan 2019

Hong Kong is lined with skyscrapers and bright city lights, which are all too familiar. And then there’s Sai Kung , a sanctuary of unbridled nature with the friendliest locals, hiding by the seaside. 

There’s so much Sai Kung has to offer — from coastal hikes along beaches to cliff jumping and even surfing. Not to mention rounding off the day with the freshest seafood!

Despite Sai Kung’s many activities, it’s not busy like the city. There’s a chill vibe and positive mood about this place and its people are special, making it worth your while to spend a day here.

Psst… Read on till the end to see how you can win a pair of return flights to Hong Kong!

Our mini photoshoot at the High Island Dam!

Starting Point: Sai Kung Pier/Town (西貢公眾碼頭)

Sai Kung Promenade (at Sai Kung Pier)!

Sai Kung Pier  acts as the base for all attractions around Sai Kung, where the main bus terminal and most taxis are. Regardless of your route, this is where you’ll start.

The pier has its own hustle and bustle — fishermen in docked boats selling their catch of the day, seafood restaurants lining the coast, and boat tour operators setting up makeshift stalls along the pier.

Getting to Sai Kung Pier: From Choi Hung MTR Station to Clear Water Bay Road; outside Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, take Green Mini Bus 1 to the pier (departs every 15 min, 25min ride)

Getting around Sai Kung:   Public buses  run on a sporadic schedule (especially on weekdays). The most efficient way to get around is via a taxi, which is affordable especially if you split the cost amongst friends. Flagging one down in Sai Kung town is easy but if you’re outside the town area, you’ll need to phone taxi companies to make a booking (+852 23830168)

Itinerary 1: MacLehose Trail Hiking Adventure (麥理浩徑)

The 100km  MacLehose Trail  comprises 10 sections running through Hong Kong’s New Territories and is one of the most popular hikes in the country. It’s a long route, so most travellers only hike a part of it on a single trip.

Sai Wan (西環) Beach Hike

The mini bus no. 29R from Sai Kung Bus Terminus takes you to Sai Wan Pavilion (30mins), where you start the hike.

From Sai Wan Pavilion (西貢西灣亭) , hike 30 minutes to the peak via Lo Tei Tun, then another 30 minutes down to the beaches. The terrain here is soil-based and could be slippery in wet weather, so wear proper shoes. We advise against hiking here on a rainy day!

Hiking enthusiasts can start the day early and go for the Peninsular Hike  instead, which is one of Sai Kung’s longest hikes (8 hours)! But it’ll take you to the best views around, including High Island Reservoir and Long Ke Wan. Starting point:  Sai Wan Pavilion. Take Bus R29 in front of McDonald’s at Sai Kung Pier ( Google Maps ) Return route:  In good weather, take a boat transfer from Sai Wan beach back to Sai Kung Pier. Or walk back to Sai Wan Pavilion and take Bus R29.

Read also:   9 Lesser-Known Sights in Hong Kong for the Adventurous

Surf on Sai Kung’s Waves 

Photo credit: @ed.yip via Instagram

Surf shops are available along the beaches, so pop by any one of them to rent your boards, or book yourself a surf lesson in advance. The waves here are not the easiest to manage, so it’s best to go with a guide if you’re a beginner!

Best time to surf: Oct – Dec (but available all year) Where to surf:  Sai Wan beaches (most convenient, best for beginners), Tai Wan (most consistent surf breaks), Ham Tin (smaller waves, but break closer to the shore)

Itinerary 2: Beach Hikes & Cliff-jumping

Sai wan hike (passing by sai wan village).

From Sai Wan Pavilion ( see #1 ), hike through the MacLehose Trail (40 minutes) to Sai Wan Village and Beach. Local shops and residences are scattered around the area.

Cliff-jumping at Sheung Luk Stream (雙鹿石澗)

Photo credit: @3ttimi via Instagram

After enjoying the beaches, walk down until you see a stone bridge at the far corner, which is where Sheung Luk Stream is located. You’ll be greeted by a ‘Caution: Deep Waters’ sign, so proceed carefully as you get up to the cliff-jump spot (8m high!).

Climb further up to the freshwater pools and waterfalls where you can start your jump. The whole area’s good for relaxing as well, so pack some food for a picnic and chill the afternoon away.

Best time to cliff-jump: Jun – Sep (summer). Don’t visit when it’s rainy because tides will rise and the path up becomes dangerously slippery.

Ham Tin Beach (鹹田灣)

Photo credit: @adelinegjerlaugsen via Instagram

The  Ham Tin Beach  is not only known to be one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches, but it’s also small and secluded, and almost feels like a private beach.

Here, tents and camping equipment (sleeping bags, kerosene for campfire, etc.) are also available for rent at On Kee Store or Hoi Fung Store , so you can even choose to spend the night under the stars! The restaurants also serve up affordable local cuisine (from HK$50).

You can also set up camp at Tai Long Wan beach, beside Ham Tin beach. Walk across the bridge, past the restaurants and local homes, and you’ll reach Tai Long Wan, which is more camping-friendly and popular with advanced surfers.

Opening hours: 7:30AM – 8PM How to get there: From Sheung Luk Stream, take the stairs back down to MacLehose Trail 2. Keep walking for ~1.6km and make a right to Ham Tin Beach ( Google Maps )

Itinerary 3: Land & Sea Adventure

Kayaking/mountain-biking expedition.

Photo credit: Klook

Sai Kung’s best sights can be experienced on both land and sea via kayaking and/or biking. Start your day by renting a bike  from the pier. You can cycle around Sai Kung Pier, or further out to the famous Hexagonal Rocks and landmarks of the UNESCO Global Geo-park .

Alternatively, go for a short kayaking expedition around the Global Geo-park’s caves, rock formations and cliffs. Row off from  Sha Ha Beach , which is conveniently located at the end of the Sai Kung waterfront promenade. Or Hoi Ha Wan , a marine-park beach — spot starfish and corals from the surface!

If you prefer navigating the waters with a guide, day tours are available too.

Rentals  Bike:   Sun Ping Bicycle Co (prices vary) Kayak: Blue Sky Water Sports Centre (from ~HK$150)

*Pro-tip:  Call to make reservations three days in advance, especially for bike rentals, because the shops have to transport the bikes from the city to Sai Kung itself.

Itinerary 4: Enjoy Sai Kung via a Boat Tour 

Local operators at Sai Kung Pier offer boat tours to take you around the best sights… without any hiking! While most won’t allow you to get off so you can only view the sights from the boat, some will drop you off at Sharp Island .

Probably Sai Kung’s most unique natural feature — unique hexagonal rock formations from past volcanic activity! It can be found everywhere, including the famous East Dam Reservoir (next point). The  Geopark Boat Tour will take you to some spots, though you can also see them by taking a taxi to the reservoir.

Itinerary 5: High Island East Dam Reservoir

High island east dam reservoir (萬宜水庫東壩).

Part of Stage One of the MacLehose Trail and standing as the largest reservoir in Hong Kong, the High Island East Dam Reservoir is a must-visit when in Sai Kung. It’s famous for being the only place accessible by foot to see the famous volcanic hexagonal pillars.

The High Island Geo-Trail takes 1 hour and is a scenic walk around the reservoir. It’s also actually possible to hike from Sai Kung Pier itself: take bus 94 from the Sai Kung Bus Terminus to Pak Tam Chung, then hike 9km along Tai Mong Tsai Rd and Sai Kung Man Kee Rd, following the MacLehose Stage One trail to the East Dam.

Alternatively, a taxi takes 25 minutes from Sai Kung Pier, but make sure you have a number to book another taxi on the way back.

Sai Kung Astropark (萬宜水庫天文公園)

Photo credit: @chokiecheng via Instagram

Hong Kong’s first public stargazing facility, the Sai K ung Astropark  is split into three zones: the educational zone (with a mini planetarium for learning), the Naked-Eye Observation Area (with benches for stargazing — romantic!), and the Telescopic Observation Area (with binoculars, star-trackers and telescopes for closet astronomers).

How to get there:  Take a 10min taxi from High Island East Dam Reservoir. It’s located inside the Chong Hing Water Sports Centre ( Google Maps )

Itinerary 6: Beach Hopping 

Half-moon bay (廈門灣泳灘), kiu tsui (橋咀泳灘) and sharp island (橋咀洲).

Photo credit: @huntressharriet via Instagram

The famous Sharp Island is home to two famous beaches — the Kiu Tsui Beach and Half Moon Bay (Hap Mun Bay) Beach . Both beaches have basic amenities — kiosks selling food, BBQ pits, shower/toilet facilities, etc.

Sharp Island Tombolo!

Kiu Tsui Beach , the larger of the two, is where travellers go to see the iconic tombolo (natural landform) that connects to the Kiu Tau Islet. You can even  walk over the tombolo during low tide (usually before 12PM), which makes for great pictures.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Half Moon Bay Beach is more known for swimming in clear, blue waters against mountainous views and rock formations.

To get from Kiu Tsui Beach to Half Moon Beach, either hike (1.6km, about 1 hour) over a hill or wait for the boat transfer to arrive again. We recommend the hike because it’s scenic and mostly well-paved with staircases.

How to get there: By 15min boat transfer from Sai Kung Pier. Boats to Sharp Island will first stop at Kiu Tsui Port, then at Half Moon Bay Pier ( Google Maps )

Long Ke Wan Beach (浪茄灣)

If you have time for only one beach, head to Long Ke Wan Beach . It’s less populated than the others and has no facilities (but that’s part of the magic!), so stock up with water and snacks at Sai Kung Pier before heading over. This beach doubles up as a campsite, so bring camping equipment if you wish to spend the night.

How to get there: From High Island East Dam Reservoir, walk 1.5km (20mins) through the park on the MacLehose Trail to Long Ke Beach ( Google Maps )

Trio Beach (三星灣泳灘)

Photo credit: @whyyywong via Instagram

The Trio Beach is a recent discovery secluded and hidden from the tourist’s eye. It offers clean, soft, sand great for sunbathing and clear waters for swimming, with Clearwater Bay on the horizon.

There are small kiosks and toilet facilities available but do bring your own food. Note that this beach can’t be accessed straight from Sai Kung Pier, unlike the others.

How to get there:  Take Bus 92/792M from Sai Kung Bus Terminus to Tai Chung Hau, then walk 300m on Che Keng Tuk Road towards Sai Kung International Pre-School. Turn right to the start of the 3km trail. Alternatively, take bus 92/792M or Mini-Bus 1/1A to Pak Sha Wan bus stop. Walk towards the pier, and take a sampan boat.

Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park (海下灣)

Photo credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

A protected area and home to more than 120 types of corals, Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is a great place to snorkel. Underwater, look out for parrot fish, clownfish and even octopus. Snorkel equipment can be rented (prices vary) from the Hoi Ha Village.

Photo credit: @angelawong_2015 via Instagram

If being above water is more your flow, rent a kayak at the village or go stand-up paddling to explore the area. Water sports here are easy because there are no waves — the bay is walled up on all sides.

After the activities, kick back and relax at  Hoi Ha Wan Beach , or take a stroll in the village and get some snacks from local vendors.

How to get there:  Take Green Minibus 7 from Sai Kung Pier and alight at Hoi Ha Village ( Google Maps )

Itinerary 7: Camp Overnight at Sai Kung

Photo credit: @bhoomer via Instagram

Campsites are scattered all across the island for you to enjoy the Sai Kung outdoors overnight. The most popular and accessible include those at Ham Tin Beach , Tai Long Wan and Long Ke Wan .

Spend the day adventuring (hiking, swimming or beach hopping) before watching the sunset outside your tent. Cook a simple dinner over a campfire and some cold beers as you stargaze into the night. Next thing you know you’re waking up to a beautiful sunrise. Sounds like the perfect outdoor escapade to me!

If you’re hyped about camping but less into organising the nitty gritty (or lugging all the tools from home), go for a curated  2D1N camping experience  because everything’s provided by the tour operator, like tents and cooking equipment.

Ham Tin Beach/Tai Long Wan Campsite Camping equipment: Rental available at  On Kee Store or Hoi Fung Store

Long Ke Wan Campsite Camping equipment: Bring your own

Food in Sai Kung

Besides being an old town, Sai Kung is slowly transforming into a hipster enclave as well in terms of its F&B offerings. Treat yourself to a Western meal during the day, and then to a local seafood feast at night!

1) Loaf On Seafood Restaurant  (六福菜館) —  Michelin Star 

Famous for their Fried Tofu with Chili and Garlic, Fish Soup with Potatoes and Tomatoes and Fried Egg Noodle,  Loaf On’s a little pricey (around ~HK$401 – HK$800) but worth the splurge for high-quality food.

Opening hours: 11AM – 10:30PM Address:  49 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong ( Google Maps )

2) Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant ( 全記海鮮菜館)

Photo credit: @iris_h62 via Instagram

An affordable alternative, tuck into fresh seafood at a rooftop terrace overlooking the sea at  Chuen Kee Seafood . Must-tries: Australia lobster with cheese sauce and e-fu noodles, abalone in pepper and salt, steamed scallops with garlic.

Opening hours: 7AM – 11PM Address:  Chuen Kee Seafood, 53 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong ( Google Maps )

3) Sing Kee Seafood Restaurant ( 勝記海鮮酒家)

Photo credit: @littlesmokee via Instagram

Sing Kee Seafood Restaurant is known for its unique methods of cooking abalone through deep-frying and traditional steaming. The restaurant’s three floors are all differently themed, so you’re in for a gourmet experience in style.

Opening hours: 11:30AM – 10PM Address:  39 Sai Kung Tai Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong ( Google Maps )

4) Ali Oli Bakery 

Photo credit: @mandysoso419 via Instagram

Have brunch alfresco style at Ali Oli Cafe  with a full English breakfast including coffee going for HK$99, or pies, pastries and buns for those packing to-go.

Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM Address:   G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path ,  Hong Kong ( Google Maps )

5) Little Cove Expresso

Photo credit: @kelculator via Instagram

Little Cove Expresso seems to have it all — the best coffee in Sai Kung, organic food and chic interior design. Try their organic scrambled eggs with avocado/rocket on sourdough and smoothie bowls!

Opening hours: 7:30AM – 6PM Address: Shop 1 + 2, G/F, Siu Yat Building, Block A, Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung ( Google Maps )

Where should we stay near Sai Kung? We stayed at Vega Suites at Tseun Kwan O and were only a 20-minute bus ride from Sai Kung Pier!

What should I bring? For areas like the UNESCO Global Geopark, there aren’t any eateries there so pack lots of water and snacks to last the day. The Sai Wan beaches, fortunately, have food stalls but there’s hiking between beaches and having your hiking shoes on hand will make the journey a lot easier! And if you’re heading there during summer, pack ponchos, a portable fan, and sunscreen.

Do the more remote places only accept cash? Some of the beach kiosks accept cashless payment options like AliPay but it’s always good to have sufficient cash on hand just in case.

When’s the best time of year to enjoy these outdoor activities? Beach hopping is best enjoyed during spring and summer (March to August), while hikes are more enjoyable in the colder months (October to February). You can also double-check the weather during your trip with Hong Kong Observatory’s MyObservatory app . Get real-time weather updates via weather cameras all over the city! It snaps a shot every 5 minutes so you’ll know when the fog suddenly starts to clear up or if there’s incoming rain.

Is Sai Kung Worth the Trip?

Personally, I’ve always wanted to dig out unexplored secret hidden enclaves in Hong Kong or the antithesis of what people know the city to be, and Sai Kung has given me all of it. I especially appreciated the peace and quiet while we were there, surrounded by nature and untouched beaches.

This precious seaside getaway is also empowered by ecotourism, where local businesses flourish. It’s killing two birds with one stone — being able to experience both the busy city life of Hong Kong and the more natural side that’s hidden from tourists, all just a few MTR stops apart. And unlike other countries, you don’t have to travel far distances to experience different landscapes in Hong Kong!

Want a chance to explore Sai Kung? Win a pair of return flight tickets to Hong Kong to kickstart your adventure! All you have to do is:

1) Follow @discoverhongkong and @thetravelintern on Instagram 2) Head to this Instagram post and tag your travel squad in the comments — multiple entries are welcomed

BONUS: Share this post on your Instagram story to double your chances ✌🏻 The Giveaway ends on 15 May 2024 — stay tuned for our Instagram story announcement the next day to find out if you’re our lucky winner!

Read also: 7D Hong Kong Itinerary

Know of more hidden gems to explore in Hong Kong? Share with us in the comments below!

This post was brought to you by  Hong Kong Tourism Board .

Follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  YouTube , and  Telegram  for more travel inspiration!

        View this post on Instagram         A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Dec 6, 2018 at 1:56am PST

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

5D4N Hong Kong Itinerary — Hiking, Caving, and Island hopping

Hong Kong’s Outdoor: 9 Lesser-Known Sights for the Adventurous

HK’s Hidden Outdoor Gems: 7 Things to do in Hong Kong That Have Nothing to do with Eating or Shopping

The Ultimate Hong Kong Disneyland Guide (2024): Secrets, Tips & Must-Dos

The Ultimate Hong Kong Guide — 28 Must-Sees, Hidden Gems, and Everything In Between

7D Hong Kong Itinerary — Exploring Beyond the Food And Shopping Paradise

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

9 Travel Hacks to Save Money on Your Next Trip to...

Central Thailand Guide for Explorers — 11 Things to Do in...

35 New Deals and Attractions in Singapore this June 2024

How to Score Cheap Flights — 11 Most Common Mistakes to...

5 Underrated Day Trips Under 2hrs from Tokyo — Win First...

• Terms Of Use
• Privacy Policy

Hong Kong Travel Guide: All Things You Want to Know

As one of Asia's most vibrant and diverse metropolises, Hong Kong seamlessly blends traditional culture with modern development. Situated at the southern tip of the Pearl River Delta, this city entices millions of visitors with its diverse cuisine, architecture, and festive culture. Whether it's the captivating views of Victoria Harbour or the bustling shopping centers, Hong Kong stands as an unmissable travel destination.

• Top Attractions & Places to Visit
• How to Plan a Hong Kong Trip
• Top Hong Kong Tours
• Travel Guide by Month

Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Beijing

How to plan a trip to hong kong.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Top Private Hong Kong Tours

Hong kong travel guide by month, what to eat in hong kong, get inspired with some popular itineraries, more travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Southeast Asia
• Japan, South Korea
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
• Central Asia
• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty & Referral Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

• Neighbourhood Guides
• New To Hong Kong
• Things To Do
• Events Calendar

What To Know About The Dragon Boat Festival In Hong Kong

• Best of Hong Kong
• Hot New Tables
• Restaurants
• What's New in the 852

The Best Ice Cream Shops In Hong Kong: Gelato, Soft-Serve & More

• City Guides
• Experiences
• Travel Tips

8 Direct Flight Destinations From Hong Kong You Might Not Have Thought Of

Designer Bag Brands: 10 Must-Have Affordable Luxury Bags

• Hair & Nails
• Makeup & Skincare

10 Best Aluminium-Free and Natural Deodorants That Really Work

• Diet & Nutrition
• Mental Health

Must-Do Waterfall Hikes In Hong Kong

• Decor & Design

Where To Buy Beds & Mattresses In Hong Kong

• Dating & Sex
• Eco & Ethical
• Work & Money

Get In The Mood For Love With These Romance Books

• Bridal Beauty & Style
• Honeymoons & Hen Dos
• Wedding Prep & Services

Top Wedding Decoration Companies In Hong Kong: Backdrop Design, Flower Arrangements & More

• Influencers
• Gift Guides

Explore Remote Islands in Hong Kong with Countryside Adventure Tours

Discover the hidden ninepin islands….

There’s nothing more invigorating than getting off HK Island, away from the at times ridiculously claustrophobic city and spending some quality time exploring the remote wilderness. Well, you can’t get more remote than the Ninepin Islands in Hong Kong, and Countryside Adventure Tours is the go-to company for English guided tours of the great outdoors, Hong Kong’s ONLY company offering regular tours in English, in fact.

When Countryside Adventure Tours asked Sassy if we wanted to jump aboard the Boat Tour to the Ninepin Islands Tour for some outdoor adventures, we just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to check out some of HK’s most unexplored parts.

Read more: Sassy’s Top Beginner Hikes in Hong Kong , Top 5 Hikes in Hong Kong 

The Ninepin Islands is a group of rocky outcrops at the edge of the South China Sea. Battered by relentless waves and winds, fascinating landforms have formed. We met our tour guide, outdoor enthusiast and Dutch national Wouter van Marle, on one of the wharves at Sai Kung before jumping aboard a 15 seater speed boat which sped us off and away onto our adventures. I must say, I was a little worried that an hour spent on a rocky boat with 14 strangers could end awkwardly since I am unfortunately a little prone to seasickness, but I was impressed with the sturdiness of the boat and the smooth journey out to the islands! We zoomed past Sharp Island and Hap Mum Bay Beach and headed straight for a pretty impressive geological arch formation, visible only from the ocean as one boats out to sea. Our guide gave us a brief explanation of how this incredible example of natural architecture came to be, and BANG we were off again!

Read more: Top 5 Waterfall Hikes in Hong Kong

Around 25 minutes later we found ourselves at the remarkably remote island of North Ninepin , where we spent an hour scrambling over alien-like boulders and marveling at the hexagonal rock columns that lie scattered over the island. Some of them had diameters of over two meters! Due to their exposure to the ocean, only for three months of the year during the height of summer are the seas quiet enough to allow boats to land safely here, making the island a highly seasonal destination (in other words, go check them out while you can!) .

Next stop: South Ninepin. Regardless of the rain that had begun to fall, we continued on our adventure. And thank goodness because the views from the cliffs on this island were insanely breathtaking! Spectacular, burnt red patterns across the cliffs delineated thousands of years’ worth of geological events and, though not for the feint–hearted (one Dad on tour nearly lost it when his kids crawled precariously close to the edge) , a peek over the edge is well worth it for one heart-stopping moment. We hiked up to the top of another mountain on South Ninepin where we marveled at an incredibly well kept (considering the remote location) sacrificial temple – and possibly one of Hong Kong’s highest! The tour ended on a beautiful deserted beach , where we were encouraged to scale a pretty bad-ass rock wall in order to return to the comfort of our little speedboat.

Read more: Top 5 Hiking Trips Across Asia

While not exactly a walk in the park, this particular tour wasn’t so challenging that people of all ages and fitness levels couldn’t enjoy it. Admittedly, there were some very red faces by the end of it, and more than a few found themselves snoring on the return boat journey home, but it only added to the adventure of the day. “I like to push people out of their comfort zones,” Wouter admitted. “Sometimes this means taking people off the beaten track and challenging them more than they imagined they would have been on a guided tour.”

Read more: Wild Hong Kong: Get Out of the City for an Adventure

Yes, we sweated. Yes, we climbed over slippery boulders with nothing but sharp, jagged rocks separating us from the ocean below. Yes, it was totally worth it. No, I would probably not bring my children along for safety’s sake. Yes, I would 100% do it again.  

Read more: Hello Hong Kong: A Boat Tour of HK

All the details: When: This tour is seasonal, so be sure to check the current tour schedule here to see if this tour is currently available! How much: $390 per person for this particular tour (children same rate)

www.adventuretours.hk

All You Need To Know

Straight to your inbox, the sassy edit: what’s new in hong kong this month, top 20 tourist attractions: things to do in hong kong with out of town guests, water sports in hong kong: sup, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking & more.

Win A Beachfront Getaway In Bali By Entering The Sassy Hong Kong Reader Survey 2024

@SASSYHONGKONG

Privacy Overview

• Hong Kong Tourism
• Hong Kong Hotels
• Hong Kong Bed and Breakfast
• Hong Kong Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Restaurants
• Things to Do in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Travel Forum
• Hong Kong Photos
• Hong Kong Map
• All Hong Kong Hotels
• Hong Kong Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Hong Kong
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Side trips from Hong Kong - Hong Kong Forum

• Asia    
• China    
• Hong Kong    

Side trips from Hong Kong

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• China forums
• Hong Kong forum

The number of days you posted seem unclear. Do you have 12 days in September and then another 14 days for HK?

http://www.wincastle.com.hk/

http://www.lotus-tours.com/

Hi Sammyfloyd

Does the first link you provided have an English option? Do you have any suggestions on where to go? We don't really care where we go, we just want some sun sand and warm water.

You could try Cathay Pacific holidays:

http://www.cxholidays.com

You could also spend a few extra days in China - for example relaxing in Yangshuo or head to Yunnan for a week. It depends where you are going on your 14 day tour.

Try this link for Wincastle instead:

http://www.wincastle.com.hk/package_index.htm

Hi Drumbrake

You suggested extra time in China such as Yunnan or Yangshuo. Can you pleas tell me a little more about those areas? We can only get a Visa for 2 entries into China one for which is Beijing for the start of our China tour. Would going to those areas affect our Visa at all. I'm really not sure yet how these Visa's work etc.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Would your tour require 2 entries to mainland China? Yunnan province and Yangshuo are both in mainland China.

Thanks for the help. We have decided to go to Hainan Island for 3 nights.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• Hongkong E-Visit Visa for Indians, When PAR is Unsuccessful. Jun 05, 2024
• Transit visa for Sri Lankans Jun 05, 2024
• What is the immigration clearance process in Hong Kong? Jun 04, 2024
• Hong Kong Food & Dining (2023) Jun 04, 2024
• Transit visa for Hong Kong Jun 04, 2024
• Kowloon Station In-Town Check-In to resume Jun 03, 2024
• 4 days in HK with kids Jun 03, 2024
• Disney and Ocean Park advice around Christmas needed Jun 03, 2024
• 3 nights in HK itinerary Jun 03, 2024
• District for Mid-Range Hotels along MTR Routes-Guidance Jun 02, 2024
• 12H hours of stop over in HK Jun 02, 2024
• Hong Kong visa Jun 01, 2024
• Ritz. vs Mandarin Oriental May 31, 2024
• Ocean Park - Interact with the animals programs May 31, 2024
• What area to stay in Hong Kong 8 replies
• Looking for a beach resort near Hong Kong 7 replies
• Cheap hotel near Hong Kong airport and Hong Kong Disneyland. 9 replies
• Hotel near MTR 12 replies
• Massage Parlours 8 replies
• The T Hotel - Hong Kong 19 replies
• English website for Broadway Stores 5 replies
• China Eastern Air. Thoughts? 20 replies
• Weather in November? 4 replies
• Factory Outlet Shopping information 17 replies

Hong Kong Hotels and Places to Stay

• Must See/Do in Hong Kong (2023)
• HK Island vs. Kowloon? (2023)
• Food, Drinks & Dining in HK (2023)
• Hong Kong Visa Requirements (2023)
• Weather & Climate in HK (2023)
• Octopus Card (2023)
• HK Airport to/from the City (2023)
• Layovers in Hong Kong (2023)
• Visiting HK - Other Practicals (2023)
• How to visit Macau (2023)
• How to visit Shenzhen (2024)

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of Hong Kong for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy Hong Kong without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Shopping & Style
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Restaurants
• Music & Nightlife
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best day trips to take in Hong Kong

Need a break from the city? Check these out

Hong Kong may be internationally known for its unique combination of glitz, glamour, and grittiness; but long-time residents know that there’s a lot more to the city than just skyscrapers and neon-drenched streets. One of the biggest benefits of living in an archipelago – most of which remains undeveloped land (for now) – is that a serene beach  or  scenic hike  is never more than a hop, skip, or ferry ride away. Just check out these one-day getaway options!

RECOMMENDED : 10 Best places to visit for fresh air in Hong Kong ; 10 Secluded islands to explore in Hong Kong

An email you’ll actually love

Best Hong Kong day trips

Cheung Chau

Famed for its annual bun-climbing festival, giant fishballs, and being the hometown of windsurfing Olympian Lee Lai-shan, Cheung Chau is one of Hong Kong’s most popular outlying islands. Just a short ferry ride away from Central, this vehicle-free island is highly walkable and teeming with Taoist temples, dried seafood shops, and snack stands. Artsy types are sure to enjoy the surprisingly high concentration of indie lifestyle stores, while families can amble or cycle along easy walking trails. 

Smack dab in the centre of the idyllic Sai Kung Peninsula, Sai Kung Town is a laidback neighbourhood with scores of interesting shops, restaurants and bars, and a cool floating seafood market to boot. Its pier and transport links also make it the perfect jumping-off point for boat trips to volcanic rock-studded islets in the Hong Kong Geopark, pristine sandy beaches, or surrounding country parks and hiking trails. To make your day trip even more exciting, pay a visit to Yim Tin Tsai, Hong Kong's little salt pan and art island. Just a short boat ride from Sai Kung town centre, the island is home to a heritage exhibition centre, the beautiful St Joseph's Chapel, as well as various public artworks dotted around the island.

If you're in need of a quick bite or a caffeine fix, check out our fab list of the best cafes and coffee shops to visit in Sai Kung .

Dubbed as the 'Venice of Hong Kong',   Tai O   is a fishing village and the only major stilt settlement left in Hong Kong. Located on the northern tip of Lantau Island, it’s famous for its dried seafood, locally-made shrimp paste, salt pans, as well as being one of the most picturesque places in Hong Kong. This tiny village has been inhabited by the Tanka 'boat-people' for more than 200 years. While walking past pans of fish drying on the pavement, you can picture the Hong Kong of yesteryear – a humble fishing port which gave our modern city its name. Easily reached by bus from Tung Chung, Tai O’s famed stilt houses are best seen from motorboats that tour the area.

Aside from picturesque sceneries and historical colonial buildings, Tai O also offers a ton of delicious street bites that will keep you fuelled throughout the day. Take a look at our  Cheap Eats: Tai O Edition video as we eat our way around Tai O with just $100!

Whether you’re religious or not, visiting Ngong Ping is a great one-day excursion. This highland on the western part of Lantau Island is best known for the iconic Tian Tan Buddha statue which can be seen a mile away, as well as the neighbouring Po Lin Monastery and its lush green surroundings. Though these popular attractions can be reached by cable car (hop on the Crystal+ cabin with transparent sides and bottom if you're feeling brave) from Tung Chung, a cheaper and still very scenic method of transport is the good old bus.

Well off the beaten tourist track, Peng Chau is one of Hong Kong’s most charming outer islands. With scenic treks, ancient relics, traditional temples, strong community vibes, and no cars in sight, stepping ashore on this tranquil island feels like travelling back in time to old Hong Kong. 

Here's one of our favourite spots to visit on the island:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk)

Lamma Island

As Hong Kong’s third-largest island and one of the most popular weekend destinations for daytrippers, there's no way we’d forget to mention Lamma. Over the years, Lamma’s reputation for picturesque views, slow-paced island living, safety, and friendly residents (yes, we’re counting the dogs) has attracted many a city slicker to settle down on its sandy shores. Who can blame them, when all that is just 25 minutes away from Central by ferry?

For those of you who prefer to have the best of both worlds, rest assured that you can fit a brunch, a leisure hike along the island, an afternoon pint, and one of those famous Lamma seafood dinners into one compact trip. If you do only one thing, a meal at one of Lamma Island’s famous waterfront seafood restaurants in Sok Kwu Wan is a must.

Tap Mun, which sits off the coast of Sai Kung Country Park, is also known as Grass Island. The island is composed of rolling, grassy hillocks complete with wandering cows. The island has an exciting history as a smuggling and pirate haven – legend has it there was once a pirate’s tunnel that led from the altar of the island's Tin Hau temple all the way out to the sea – although its now-sleepy streets belie this. Tap Mun is a popular spot for both camping and kite-flying and boasts several rocky beaches. Follow our guide for an adventurous day out on this beautiful island.

Our sister SAR is no slouch when it comes to attractions, from historical landmarks to cafés and restaurants representing distinct culinary traditions. Macau may be a tourist mecca, but it makes for a great day trip for Hongkongers on the lookout for an easy vacation as well. Aside from historic monuments and five-star hotels, there are also plenty of picturesque spots that are worthy of a place on your social feed.

Just on the other side of Hong Kong’s border with mainland China, Shenzhen was historically an inconsequential little town until it became China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1979. Now, having developed in economic parallel with Hong Kong, it is a booming Asian metropolis. If you do plan to take a day trip there, make sure you check out some of Shenzhen's best shopping malls .

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

An email you'll actually love

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Sign up to our newsletter
• Advertising
• Express Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

Time Out magazine

• Print edition
• Digital edition

Asia Chevron

China Chevron

Hong Kong Chevron

24 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

By Kate Springer

More than 20 years after the 1997 handover of sovereignty from Britain to China, Hong Kong is seeing new infrastructure projects, such as a super-speed train link with Beijing . Some things haven’t changed: The twinkling skyline remains, the Star Ferry still plies the harbor day after day, dim sum is still a sacred weekend ritual, and once edgy districts like Wong Chuk Hang, Sai Ying Pun, and Shek Tong Tsui have found new momentum, thanks to major MTR (metro) expansions. Of course, there’s still plenty of old-world glamour to be found, whether you’re luxuriating over afternoon tea in the lofty lobby of The Peninsula or savoring a chilled silver tankard of beer at the Captain’s Bar in the Mandarin Oriental . If you’re wondering where to begin amid the action and energy, here's our list of what to do when you're in Hong Kong.

Click the link to read our complete Hong Kong city guide .

Victoria Peak Arrow

If you’ve seen postcards of Hong Kong then you’re probably familiar with the famous views from Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Island’s highest point and poshest neighborhood. If the mansions are any indication, this is where the city’s rich and famous reside. But most travelers don’t come to stalk celebrities or tycoons—they’re here for the views. This lofty vantage point overlooks the city’s dense skyline as well as the outlying islands to the south. Come, snap a few selfies, and take in the sights.

Cat Street Arrow

Located on a pedestrian street just below Hollywood Road, the century-old Cat Street market is a dream come true for vintage treasure hunters . You’ll find a few bona fide jade stores alongside makeshift street stalls; the latter brim with everything from throwaway souvenirs to quirky memorabilia, vintage photography prints, and genuinely beautiful retro vases. A few contemporary restaurants, such as Bibo (French cuisine and contemporary art) and Man Mo Cafe (French-ified dim sum) provide worthy resting spots should you need to refuel.

The Lobby, The Peninsula Arrow

With its soaring classical columns, gilded plasterwork, gargoyles, and live band, the Lobby at the Peninsula sets the scene for Hong Kong’s most famous afternoon tea . Consider sampling the hotel’s loose-leaf teas, or order anything from Champagne to fresh juice to accompany your three-tiered Afternoon Tea set. It’s impossible not to feel a bit of wonderment looking at the beautiful pastries, homemade finger sandwiches, and assortment of raisin scones (complete with clotted cream and organic strawberry jam). It’s an ideal way to while away a lazy afternoon with friends, coworkers, or family.

Victoria Dockside Arrow

Couples, families, and solo travelers are equally likely to visit Victoria Dockside in hot pursuit of the epic views of Hong Kong’s famous skyline. Beyond the general waterfront appeal, this avant-garde urban village also lures architecture and design nerds seeking to peek into Hong Kong’s evolving cityscape, which increasingly integrates organic structures, high-tech features, and ample greenery. Victoria Dockside gets crowded on weekends, so if you’re even the tiniest bit agoraphobic, take a pass or visit best on a weekday.

Emily Pennington

Charlie Hobbs

Kaitlin Menza

CNT Editors

Chi Lin Nunnery Arrow

At the Chi Lin Nunnery and adjacent Nan Lian Garden you’ll stumble into a world of chanting nuns and meticulously pruned bonsai trees. Though it looks ancient, this Buddhist monastery complex was actually built in the 1930s and later renovated in 1998. Channeling ancient Chinese construction methods, the impressive wooden structure features a matrix of interlocking cypress wood beams—and not a single nail—making this one of the world’s largest handmade wooden buildings. Inside the structure, the Main Hall honors the founder of the Buddhist religion with an impressive statue.

Dragon's Back Arrow

Short but incredibly scenic, Dragon’s Back begins in the photogenic Cape Collinson Crematorium in Chai Wan and is a favorite hike for families and athletic travelers. With the initial ascent of the hike behind you, you’ll follow the trail south along the undulating ridge, which resembles a dragon’s spine. It’s one of the prettiest treks in Hong Kong, flanked by ocean and reservoir views on either side. As you approach Shek O, you’ll see the photogenic golf course at the Shek O Country Club off to the left, a handful of empty beaches, and a few paragliders soaring above the hills.

Maxim's Palace Arrow

It’s a little tricky to find Maxim’s Palace, which is located on the second floor of Hong Kong’s City Hall in Central. But as you ascend the escalator, the noisy crowds waiting to be seated should give it away. Established in 1980, Maxim’s is among Hong Kong’s most famous dim sum halls , decked out with elaborate pillars, dragon motifs, and glitzy chandeliers. Fair warning: The high-end address doesn’t take reservations, so it’s common to queue for at least 30 minutes if you come at peak hours, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m on weekends. But for an old-school dim sum feast, Maxim’s delivers in spades.

Aqualuna Symphony of Lights Cruise Arrow

Aqualuna’s Symphony of Lights Cruise, which coincides with the city’s multimedia laser and lights show, is a perfect way to unwind before dinner or after a long day of touring. The experience is all about enjoying a glass of complimentary wine or a cocktail while admiring the neon-lit skyscrapers. From this vantage point, it feels as if you’re being hugged by Victoria Harbour on all sides. Get your camera ready—as soon as the Symphony of Lights show begins, most guests are busy taking photos.

Tai Kwun Arrow

Home to one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world, Hong Kong never wastes a square foot. Which is why it’s so refreshing to come across a place like Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts. Open off Hollywood Road in 2018, this landmark heritage regeneration project welcomes visitors with a massive courtyard surrounded by 16 historic colonial-era buildings and leafy trees. It’s a free, open, and relaxed space—a unicorn in Hong Kong—that delivers big on its promise of arts, culture, dining, and shopping experiences .

Duddell's Arrow

Whether you’re lounging on the secret garden terrace or pausing for a power lunch in the main dining room, Duddell’s masters the art of hospitality. Executive chef Fung Man-Ip is a specialist in traditional Cantonese cuisine and composes classic dishes with meticulous attention to detail and only the best ingredients. Come for the heartfelt Cantonese dishes, stay for the surprising wine pairings and revolving art exhibitions.

Star Ferry Arrow

When the sun’s out, there’s nothing better than a quick ride on the Star Ferry. It’s a relaxed and civilized way to travel, particularly if you make your way to the top deck where you’ll find slightly nicer furnishings and working air-conditioning. But even with its imperfections, the old boats provide an enjoyable ride, and taking a ride on them is considered a must-do in Hong Kong . It’s a quick but memorable trip that frames the city’s skyline from every angle. Families love it, as do couples of all ages—really, anyone who appreciates a cheap thrill and terrific views.

Lamma Island Arrow

Just 20-to-30 minutes away from Hong Kong Island by ferry, Lamma Island is a natural wonderland, not to mention one of the city's coolest outlying islands. You've got the best of everything: excellent seafood, nature trails, chill cafes, waterfront bars, local markets, and beaches . You can make your own adventure. If you’re a foodie, head to Main Street for delicious vegan fare at Bookworm Cafe, or try some local craft beers at Yardley Brothers Beer Shack. Swing by Lamma Rainbow, an institution, for top-notch garlic scallops, black bean clams, and juicy prawns.

W.W. Chan & Sons Tailor Ltd. Arrow

A sartorial institution in Hong Kong, W.W. Chan & Sons is where taipans (business tycoons) go when they need impeccable suits, vests, and accessories. The famed outfit is among an elite set of “Red Gang” Shanghainese tailors—a term that’s synonymous with superlative craftsmanship and timeless style. Flash forward nearly 70 years, and W.W. Chan continues to stay true to traditional techniques. The tailors take all measurements by hand, create dummy jackets to check the client’s posture, and meticulously stitch using only pure silk.

Blue House Arrow

Blue House, a Grade I historic building, has stood the test of time. The name is a bit of a misnomer: It's not just one house, but a cluster of four interconnected tenement-style residences and shophouses in a rainbow of shades—blue, orange, yellow, and gray. The Blue House is the most famous, thanks in part to its head-turning cobalt facade, and has played host to all kinds of businesses—a hospital, temple, and even a kung fu studio. It currently serves as a residence for local Hongkongers and a few businesses.

Man Mo Temple Arrow

One of Hong Kong’s most famous urban temples , Man Mo Temple is an excellent example of Qing dynasty architecture and a great place to experience a slower, more spiritual side of Hong Kong. Free to enter, visitors are welcome to wander around the main temple at leisure. As intense, eye-watering smoke wafts from incense coils hanging overhead, stop to admire golden deities, murals, and Chinese wood carvings. There’s also a fortune-telling area off to the right—a traditional practice at Taoist temples.

Kowloon Walled City Park Arrow

Those fascinated by the history of the Walled City—and what it might have been like to live there—will enjoy a visit to the peaceful Kowloon Walled City Park, where they can peruse the remaining artifacts and explanatory plaques telling the story of what was once one of the world’s largest slums. Everyone else will enjoy the fresh air, bamboo groves, pavilions, Qing Dynasty–style Chinese gates, flower gardens, and pretty ponds. Ironically, this is now one of the most pleasant corners in Hong Kong.

PMQ – Staunton Arrow

Smack in the middle of Soho, PMQ is one of the only places in Hong Kong that’s fully dedicated to indie design. This major heritage revitalization project debuted in 2014, and you can expect cool architecture alongside a groundswell of creativity. It’s not a single boutique, but rather a complex of dozens of buzzing workshops, studios, and ateliers from the coolest labels in town. Look for more than 100 local shops, several excellent dining options , and a wide-open courtyard that comes alive on weekends with seasonal markets, pop-ups, and art installations.

Gao's Foot Massage Co. Arrow

One of the most convenient options for a foot massage in Central is Gao’s, located just a few steps from the MTR inside a commercial tower in Lan Kwai Fong. This no-frills massage parlor feels fairly traditional—picture black or red leather chairs, lattice woodwork, and a soundtrack of birds chirping. Most of the men and women who perform the foot massages are incredibly experienced, with an uncanny ability to zoom in on a trouble spot within minutes and massage away the pain and strain. Whether or not you believe in traditional Chinese reflexology, you will walk out on refreshed feet and legs that feel balanced and energized.

Tai Long Wan Bay Arrow

If you love the call of the wild, calm seas, and simple pleasures, then you’ll love a side trip to Tai Long Wan—a beautiful bay hugging the eastern side of the Sai Kung Peninsula. Tai Long Wan (meaning "Big Wave Bay") is made up of four distinct, white-sand beaches —Sai Wan, Ham Tin, Tai Wan and Tung Wan—each separated by hilly formations. The easiest to reach is Sai Wan, but the more remote beaches are the most idyllic. We’d recommend setting off early in the morning in order to enjoy the afternoon at one of these far-flung beaches—heading back a few hours before sunset.

Café Gray Deluxe Arrow

Holding court on the 49th floor of ultra-luxe Upper House hotel in Admiralty, Café Gray Deluxe sets the tone with a long, Champagne-hued corridor that feels more like a spa than a dining establishment. Round a corner and the pièce de résistance comes into full view: wall-to-wall windows framing uninterrupted panoramas of Hong Kong’s famed Victoria Harbour. On a clear night, this is one of the best views in town, especially if you manage to snag a corner table or one of the purple banquettes lining the windows.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum Arrow

Dedicated to Hong Kong’s history , art, and culture, Hong Kong’s Heritage Museum houses 11 different galleries that will transport you through various dynasties and artistic epochs, from the Cantonese opera exhibits to literature, photos, and masterful Chinese paintings. The Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall is particularly impressive, with life-size stage setups, colorful floral backdrops, and more than 30,000 artifacts from past performances—and don’t miss the ongoing Bruce Lee exhibition.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery Arrow

The monastery will lift your spirits from the moment you start your trek in the hills of Sha Tin. Grinning gold buddha statues will guide you to the top of the hill, and once you peek into the main Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall, you’ll see rows and rows of tiny buddhas that glow when they catch a ray of sunlight. Elsewhere around the grounds, there are several smaller temples, a nine-story pavilion, pagodas, and verandas. Keep climbing higher and you’ll find more temples and even better views.

Young Master Brewery Arrow

Hong Kong’s top craft brewery , Young Master Ales, recently expanded into a larger space in Wong Chuk Hang—an industrial district on the south side of Hong Kong Island that’s now connected to Central via MTR. Once you enter the eclectic space, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Brooklyn—picture two bars with about eight taps, knotty wood counters, communal picnic tables, and some retro-chic couches. Just beyond, you can see the steel vats where the magic happens. If you’re a beer enthusiast or you simply love to experience homegrown brands when you travel, visiting the brewery will be a memorable Saturday afternoon. Plus, you’ll get to see a more industrial side of Hong Kong—often overlooked by those who stick to Central and Tsim Sha Tsui districts.

Tai O Fishing Village Arrow

The humble homes, restaurants, and shops of Tai O provide a very different image that what many travelers expect of Hong Kong . There’s not a skyscraper in sight—just open ocean, a few outlying islands, and relatively small one or two-story houses. Exploring the tranquil town takes no more than two or three hours, even with a stop for lunch, but it’s a pleasant side trip—particularly when combined with a visit to the Big Buddha (which sits atop a mountain peak about 15 minutes away by bus) or Upper Cheung Sha Beach to the east.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Hong Kong Itinerary: What to Do in 4 (or More) Days

Hong Kong. Its name inspires visions of a chaotic, jam-packed city with soaring skyscrapers, thick smog, endless noodle stands, big finance, and wild nights out.

It’s one of my favorite cities in the world . The fast pace creates a sense of permanent change, and the crowds, multiculturalism, and food keep me continuously coming back. Oh, the food! I could sit bent over a noodle bowl all day long.

Hong Kong is a busy city of 7.4 million inhabitants with one of the biggest hub airports in the world. It can be overwhelming for many visitors, especially those not used to crowded places.

And, with so much to do in Hong Kong , many travelers scratch their head about where to start in order to get the most out of the trip.

While you can visit the city within one or two days, it’s best to spend at least three days in Hong Kong. If you’re going to visit Macau, I’d add another day, so you’d need 4-5 days to really see the place.

This four-day Hong Kong itinerary will help you organize your trip, steer you off the beaten path, and show you why Hong Kong is one of the most on-the-go cities in the world.

Table of Contents

Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 1

Hong kong itinerary: day 2, hong kong itinerary: day 3, hong kong itinerary: day 4, other things to see and do in hong kong.

The Hong Kong Museum of History In order to understand a place, you must first understand its past. This museum lets you do just that. It provides an excellent overview of Hong Kong’s long and complex past. There are exhibits relating to the archaeology, social history, ethnography, and natural history of the region. It’s big, so allow about 2–4 hours for your visit.

100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 2724 9042, hk.history.museum/en_US/web/mh/index.html. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm (7pm on weekends). Admission is free but some special exhibitions may require a fee.

Kowloon Park Head to Kowloon Island’s gigantic park that features a swimming pool, a fitness center, little ponds where you can watch ducks and other swimming birds, a Chinese garden, an aviary, and the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (not to be confused with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum; more on that museum below). There are also plenty of rest areas here where you can relax to escape the oppressive Hong Kong heat. Spanning 13 hectares (33 acres), it’s one of the best places to people-watch in the city.

22 Austin Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 2724 3344, lcsd.gov.hk. Open daily 5am-12am and admission is free.

Street Markets in Mong Kok This area of Hong Kong has the largest and busiest markets in which to soak up the frenetic atmosphere, sights, and sounds of Hong Kong. The crowds and sellers really exemplify Hong Kong’s on-the-move essence. The two best markets for inexpensive souvenirs are the Ladies Market (bargain clothing, accessories, and souvenirs) and the Temple Street Night Market (flea market). The markets of Mong Kok are best reached by the Hong Kong MTR subway system, stations Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, and Prince Edward on the Tsuen Wan (red) line.

The markets are open every day, starting around noon and closing in the late evening (times vary).

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade Stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and take in the breathtaking skyline view of Hong Kong Island. While you’re here, make sure to visit the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s answer to the Hollywood “Walk of Fame,” where you can see the stars of Chinese and Western film alike. There are shops, restaurants, and, at night, a large outdoor market serving traditional Cantonese food alongside knockoffs and souvenirs. Come ready to haggle.

Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (next to the Star Ferry pier). Open 24/7.

The Star Ferry The best way to get across the harbor from Kowloon Island to Hong Kong Island is via the Star Ferry, which showcases a fantastic view of the city skyline for only 5 HKD. Riding the ferry is a fun thing to do even if you aren’t using it for transportation! It’s one of my favorite activities.

Star Ferry Pier, Kowloon Point, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2367 7065, starferry.com.hk/en/service. The ferry runs 6:30am-11:30pm every day, though they occur less frequently on weekends and holidays. Tickets start at 4 HKD during the week and 5.6 HKD on the weekends, while a 4-day pass costs 50 HKD.  

Ngong Ping 360 This cable car stretches over 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) from Tung Chung across the bay toward the airport and then onward to Lantau Island. The cable car gives you a panoramic view of the airport, harbor, and entire city before it travels through the surrounding mountains. The ride lasts about 25 minutes.

When you get to the top, don’t miss the nearby Po Lin Monastery (a Buddhist monastery founded in 1906) and Tian Tan, a 34-meter (111-foot) bronze Buddha statue that sits on the top of the island’s peak. While Lantau Island is a bit touristy, the ride, views, and monastery make it worth the trip.

11 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, +852 3666 0606, np360.com.hk/en. Open 10am-6pm on weekdays and 9am-6:30pm on weekends on holidays. A round-trip adult ticket for the cable car is 270 HKD for a standard cabin and 350 HKD for a crystal cabin (a cable car with a glass bottom floor). You can reserve tickets online in advance here .

Take a Food Tour After the morning on the cable car and enjoying a killer view of Hong Kong, spend your afternoon taking a food tour. Hong Kong is a food-filled city (there are over 10,000 restaurants here!) and you’ll find a diverse range of cuisines from around the world. But without help, you’ll never find all the hidden local favorites. The following companies offer the best value tours:

• Eating Adventures
• Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tours
• Bigfoot Tours
• Secret Food Tours

Expect to spend 690-860 HKD per person for a food tour.

Rent a Junk Boat Junk boats — those classic boats with the large sail you see in any movie about Hong Kong — are a fun way to sail around the harbor on full-day and half-day trips. There is only one traditional junk boat left: the Dukling. It sails Saturdays and Sundays only, with tickets starting at 190 HKD.

Another option is sailing on The Aqua Luna, a boat that was built in the traditional style in 2006. It sails much more frequently and offers a variety of cruises, from a dim sum cruise to an afternoon tea cruise. Tickets start at 270 HKD.

In addition to these traditional-style junks or if you’re looking for more of a party boat vibe, you can also rent a boat with a large group of friends (15 or so people) or join a group cruise around the harbor. There are a ton of different options to choose from, from all-you-can-eat-and-drink boats with add-on water sports, massages, and DJ packages, to companies that let you just rent the boat and bring everything else yourself.

Here are some recommended companies that offer affordable boat tours:

• Island Junks – They have a couple of cruise options, costing around 660-690 HKD per person. You can also charter your own if you’ve got the money!
• Saffron Cruises – This is a great option if you can put together a large group of 20-30 people, as a charter costs 9,000-14,000 HKD.
• Hong Kong Junks – This is more of the classic party boat experience, with options for all budgets.

Ping Shan Heritage Trail Located in the New Territories (the city’s less visited northern district), this trail will lead you past some of the most important ancient sights of the Tang clan. There are 14 historic buildings on the trail, including: Hung Shing Temple, The Tang Ancestral Hall, Yeung Hau Temple, Shrine of the Earth God, and the 15th-century Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda (Hong Kong’s only ancient pagoda). Just be aware that not all of the historic buildings on the trail are open to the public.

Another option is the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. It begins at the Taoist temple complex of Fung Ying Seen Koon and passes the walled villages of Ma Wat Wai and Lo Wai before ending at the 18th-century Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall.

This part of Hong Kong is often skipped by tourists, and the trails, meandering through the city’s more rural region, are quiet and a welcome break from the giant metropolis of the downtown area.

Ping Shan Trail: Sheung Cheung Wai, Yuen Long District, +852 2617 1959, lcsd.gov.hk. Lung Yeuk Tau Trail: 66 Pak Wo Rd, Fanling, Hong Kong, +852 2669 9186.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum This museum showcases the city’s history and love of art. There’s a large exhibit about the New Territories and an opera house for performances. It fills in some of the blanks left from the Hong Kong History Museum and gives you a look at the artistic culture of the city. It’s also located near the beautiful Sha Tin Park and Shing Mun River, making the surrounding area just as interesting as the museum!

1 Man Lam Rd, Sha Tin, New Territories, +852 2180 8188, hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/highlights.html. Open every day but Tuesday 10am-6pm (7pm on weekends). Admission is free.

Che Kung Temple Just across the river from the Heritage Museum, this temple is dedicated to Che Kung, a general during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) in ancient China who was known for stopping both uprisings and epidemics. This temple was built in his name during an epidemic in the 17th-century, and it is said that the epidemic ceased the day after its official dedication.

The temple complex is always filled with people, so be prepared for crowds. The traditional architecture and intricate sculptures, including the large golden sculpture of Che Kung himself, make this worth visiting after you see the Heritage Museum.

Che Kung Miu Road, +852 2691 1733, ctc.org.hk. Open daily 8am-6pm.  

The Peak Tram This tram, which has been in operation since 1888 (with several renovations since then) takes you to the top of the Peak, Hong Kong Island’s largest mountain, at 518 meters (1,700 feet). Upon exiting at the top, you’ll enjoy spectacular 180-degree views of the skyscrapers of Victoria Harbor, Kowloon, and the surrounding hills. It’s the best view of the city.

Also at the top is the huge, wok-shaped Peak Tower with its viewing platform Sky Terrace 428, Madame Tussauds, and a variety of restaurants. Head away from this area and you’ll find many different trails to get into nature and see the city skyline from a bunch of different vantage points. When you’re done at the top, you can either take the tram or walk back down along the trails.

No.1 Lugard Road, +852 2849 7654, thepeak.com.hk. Open daily 7:30am-11pm, with trams running every 15-20 minutes. A return trip is 88 HKD, while the same with entry to the sky terrace viewing platform is 148 HKD per person and 168 HKD on peak days.

Hong Kong Museum of Art This museum on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront is a fascinating and intriguing place. Established in 1962, it was the first public art museum in the city. There are both rotating temporary exhibitions as well as a permanent collection where you’ll find everything from Chinese ceramics, terra cotta, rhinoceros horns, traditional calligraphy, and Chinese paintings, to contemporary art produced by Hong Kong artists.

Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2721 0116. Open Monday-Wednesday, Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10am-7pm. Admission is 10 HKD.

Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife LKF is the main nightlife and party area in Hong Kong and is filled with tons of bars, clubs, shisha (water pipes), and cheap drinks. Nights out here are wild — the street is always crowded, people get very drunk, and shots get handed out like candy. It’s rowdy, but if you want to see Hong Kong’s wilder side, this is the place to do it.  

Take a cooking class — Hong Kong is full of food. Why not learn how to cook some of it? This Hong Kong expat website has a list of 20 schools offering classes! Prices vary but expect to spend around 550-800 HKD per person.

Go hiking — Hong Kong may be a densely packed city, but there is also scenic hiking in the outer mountains and islands. There are a lot of trails (especially in the undeveloped parts of the New Territories). The Hong Kong tourism board lists all the trails here .

Visit Disneyland — If you’re on a family trip, or if you’re a backpacker in touch with your inner child, head to Disneyland. Hang out with Mickey Mouse and shake hands with sea creatures. ( Tickets start at 639 HKD .)

Day trip to Macau — The gambling mecca of Macau is a short boat ride away. For 175 HKD, the 60-75–minute boat ride from Hong Kong’s ferry terminal will take you to this former Portuguese colony, where you can wander gigantic modern casinos, stroll historic streets lined with Portuguese-inspired houses, and dine on egg tarts, a famous local specialty.

For more, here are my recommendations for the 23 best things to do in Hong Kong.

In a city of almost 8 million people, there are countless things to see and do. One could fill weeks exploring Hong Kong’s many islands, markets, restaurants, sights, and nightlife and still not see it all. Though impossible to condense a city so vast into four-days, this Hong Kong itinerary will help you experience the most Hong Kong has to offer in a short period of time!

Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of my favorite place to stay is:

• The Mahjong

For places to stay in Hong Kong, check out my post on my favorite hostels in the city . It has an even more detailed list.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Hong Kong? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!

Hi, I’m Nomadic Matt, the New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad, as well as the founder of this website! And I’m here to help you save money on your next trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Related Posts

GET YOUR  FREE TRAVEL STARTER KIT

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Best Nightlife
• The New Territories
• The Outlying Islands
• Planning a Trip

Organized Tours

• Walking Tours
• Active Pursuits
• Spectator Sports
• Suggested Itineraries

China in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a major gateway to China. Many first-time visitors to China join an organized tour for excursions to the mainland, though it's certainly easy enough to do on your own. Avid shoppers with a sense of adventure may want to make a day trip across the border to Shenzhen, where fake designer watches and handbags are sold for a song. Two caveats, however, for would-be shoppers: The cost of visas for some nationals, including Americans, is so high that it cancels out bargains on goods; and pirated goods are illegal in many countries, including the United States. Frankly, I've never understood the desire for fake goods, but I do love shopping for fun accessories, and there are plenty of nondesigner purses, watches, and other goods as well.

Virtually all hotels in Hong Kong work with tour agencies that offer a variety of excursions to China, ranging from 1-day trips to Guangzhou or Shenzhen to longer trips that include Guangzhou, Beijing, and other major destinations. Most of these trips follow identical itineraries at similar prices. When I took a 1-day guided tour of Shenzhen (Shekou) and Guangzhou, we were shown a small, musty museum containing a few terra-cotta figures taken from the tomb of China's first emperor near the city of Xi'an, a local market, Six Banyan Temple, and the outside of a concert hall built in 1931 as a memorial to Sun Yat-sen (on weekdays, tours also take in a local kindergarten). While the sites themselves were uninteresting and not worth seeing, what I most enjoyed about the trip was the journey by hover ferry to Shenzhen, the bus trip to Guangzhou, and the trip back by KCR railway, as these provided good vistas of the surrounding countryside with its duck and fish farms, rice fields, banana groves, and simple living conditions. But probably the most compelling reasons for joining a group tour are to see more than you could accomplish in a limited time on your own and to save money through the tour's group visa, which may be cheaper than applying for a visa on your own depending on your nationality. If the cost of your visa is inexpensive, however , you can save money going on your own.

Companies offering organized trips into China (including day trips to Shenzhen's largest shopping mall, Splendid China, and China Folk Culture Villages) include Splendid Tours (tel. 852/2316 2151; www.splendidtours.com), Gray Line Tours (tel. 852/2368 7111; www.grayline.com.hk), and China Travel Service (see "Visas"), the official travel agency of the People's Republic of China. Unsurprisingly, CTS offers the most extensive list of tours, with trips that include Beijing, Guilin, Shanghai, Xi'an, Lijiang, and other major cities. CTS's 11-day trip, for example, includes train and plane travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, Guilin, Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai before returning to Hong Kong. The cost of this trip runs HK$17,140 to HK$17,790, depending on the season.

If you join an organized tour of China lasting 1 or 2 days, your visa for China will be taken care of by the tour agency, with the price of tour group visas (which cost less than individual visas) included in the tour price. You can book tours up to the day before departure if there's room, but most charge more if you book later than 11:30am the day before departure because the company will have to apply for an individual rush visa rather than submitting your passport along with the others for a group visa. For longer tours in China, however, or if you wish to visit China on your own, you'll need to obtain a visa yourself. Your hotel or a travel agency may be able to arrange this for you. Having your hotel's concierge or tour desk do the work certainly saves time, but prices are higher. Travel agencies are cheaper, but you'll have to first apply and then return to pick up the visa. You can also save money by planning ahead, as rush orders for visas add to the price.

One of the most popular places to apply for a visa is at a China Travel Service ( CTS; tel. 852/2851 1700; www.ctshk.com), the official travel agency of the PRC. Hong Kong has several branches, including 78 Connaught Rd., Central District (tel. 852/2853 3533: MTR: Central); 138 Hennessey Rd., Wan Chai (tel. 852/2832 3888; MTR: Wan Chai); and 27-33 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui (tel. 852/2315 7171; MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui), which is the most convenient with the most convenient hours: Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday and holidays from 9am to 12:30pm and 2 to 5pm. Although a CTS is also located at the Lo Wu border crossing, residents of the United States and United Kingdom cannot obtain visas here.

To fill out an application for your visa, you will need your passport (with an expiration date of not less than 6 months away) and one passport photograph (you can have your portrait taken at Tsim Sha Tsui's CTS office for HK$35; otherwise, the nearby YMCA Salisbury on Salisbury Road and the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station have portrait machines). Prices for a visa, unfortunately, vary depending on nationality and are subject to change, but it's always cheapest to turn in your visa application at least 4 business days prior to departure. Americans applying for a visa 4 days in advance at CTS, which is cheaper than most places (especially hotel tour desks), were required to pay HK$1,180 for a single- or double-entry visa valid for 6 months. Americans in a hurry can obtain a visa more quickly by paying more: HK$1,530 for visa applications made 3 days in advance and HK$2,470 for same-day applications made before 9:30am. The cost of applying for a visa from the Chinese embassy in the United States is US$140 (www.china-embassy.org).

U.K. residents fare better: HK$600 for a single-entry visa (valid for 30 days) applied for 4 days in advance, HK$900 3 days in advance, HK$1,350 for next-day service, and HK$1,950 for same-day visa pickup. Otherwise, the regular price of a single-entry visa for many other nationalities, including Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders, is HK$210 for applications made 3 days in advance, and HK$480 for same-day pickup. In any case, visa requirements and prices can change overnight; call your embassy for updated information.

If you're planning a 1-day trip to China, your destination will be either Shenzhen or Guangzhou. Shenzhen (www.shenzhentour.com), located across the Hong Kong-China border, was established in the 1980s as one of China's first Special Economic Zones. Today, this experiment with capitalism looks almost like Hong Kong with its 14 million people, concrete high-rises, traffic, industries, pollution, and relative prosperity. It's a shopping mecca for day-trippers who come for fake designer handbags, watches, and other goods at prices much cheaper than in Hong Kong. However, the HK$1,180 minimum Americans now pay for a visa makes shopping in Shenzhen no longer a bargain. Shenzhen is also known for its many theme parks.

You can travel to Shenzhen via the MTR East Rail, with trains departing Kowloon's Hung Hom Station every 6 to 8 minutes. The trip to Lo Wu, the border crossing (daily 6:30am-midnight), takes about 42 minutes and costs HK$33 for ordinary class and HK$66 for first class. Prices are slightly cheaper if you have an Octopus card, but if you're traveling first class, you'll have to swipe your card again at the First Class Processor located on the train platform in front of the first-class compartment. The Lo Wu Border Control is one of the busiest border crossings in the world. Avoid traveling on weekends and holidays, if possible, when crowds can make the wait to cross over very long. Or, you can change trains in Sheung Shui for a 6-minute ride to Lok Ma Chau, a new border crossing into Shenzhen, also with shopping and connection via the Shenzhen Metro to other destinations in Shenzhen.

After going through Customs, you can walk across the border into Shenzhen. Just across the border from Lo Wu is a huge shopping mall called Luohu Commercial City (also called Lo Wu Shopping Mall by tour agencies), with five floors of tiny shops selling a bewildering amount of inexpensively priced handbags, shoes, watches, jewelry, clothing (including Chinese padded jackets), and bolts of cloth. As for imitation designer bags and pirated DVDs, Chinese officials have cracked down on counterfeit goods (half the fake goods seized by U.S. Customs agents come from China, which should give would-be purchasers pause as well). That is not to say that such goods are unavailable. When I agreed, at a shopkeeper's insistence, to look at imitation handbags, I was whisked to a concealed backroom closet with rows and rows of bags. In a tiny electronics shop, the owner closed all his doors and sent his assistant scurrying up a concealed hole in the drop ceiling to retrieve pirated DVDs (don't bother buying DVDs -- most of the time they aren't fully copied or they don't work). Several salons offer combination manicures and pedicures for as little as HK$40, but lack of hygienic conditions may discourage most tourists from giving them a whirl. In any case, bargaining is the name of the game, and because there are no ATMs around, bring plenty of HK dollars. You should also guard your belongings against pickpockets. Shops are open daily from 10am to 10pm.

As for tourist attractions, theme parks are big in Shenzhen, including Splendid China, a theme park with more than 80 miniatures of China's most historic buildings, sites, and scenic wonders, including the Great Wall and the Imperial Palace; China Folk Culture Villages, which presents the art and cultures of China's various ethnic groups with life-size villages and people dressed in native dress; and Window of the World, which re-creates famous buildings, monuments, and scenic spots from around the world, including the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, and Grand Canyon. All three are clustered together about 13km (8 miles) west of the border crossing; take the very efficient Shenzhen Metro subway from Lo Wu to Window of the World/Shijiezhichuang Station (otherwise, Splendid China and China Folk Culture Villages are often included in 1-day tours offered by tour companies). Farther afield are Happy Valley, a large sophisticated theme park with a variety of thrill rides, and Minsk World, a military theme park with the Soviet aircraft carrier Minsk. Most visitors to Shenzhen, however, come for the shopping.

Farther Afield

Farther afield is Guangzhou (Canton), capital of Guangdong Province with a population approaching 12 million. A commercial city, Guangzhou is famous for its markets, including Haizhu Square with vendors selling electronics, toys, and souvenirs at great prices. Otherwise, the sights are confined to a Buddhist temple and the monuments and statues in the city's largest park, Yuexiu Yuan, that include a memorial to Sun Yat-sen. You can reach Guangzhou by rail in 2 hours or less from Hung Hom Station in Kowloon; cost of this trip is HK$230 for "premium" class and HK$190 for first class. At last check, through-train service to Guangzhou departed Hung Hom every hour or so from 7:25am to 7:24pm.

Be forewarned, however, that because tourist attractions in Shenzhen and Guangzhou are extremely limited, if you're really interested in a trip to China you should plan on traveling to Shanghai, Beijing, and beyond. For more information on China, see Frommer's China.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

China’s Chang’e-6 lift-off, Cathay’s cadet troubles: 7 highlights of the week

• From Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific facing cadet troubles to travel curbs on China's state workers, here are a few highlights from SCMP's recent reporting

We have selected seven stories from this week's news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing .

1. 'First time in history': China's Chang'e-6 probe lifts off from moon's far side

China's Chang'e-6 ascent vehicle lifted off from the lunar surface with the first rock samples from the far side of the moon, embarking on a three-week-long journey home.

2. US centre for Hong Kong's Cathay halts cadet solo flights after serious blunders

A US training centre for Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has halted solo flights for cadet pilots after an "alarming" rise in serious blunders in which students were involved in a wingtip collision, a bounced landing and an erroneous exit from a runway.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

3. China's expanding travel curbs are cutting off more workers from global travel

Workers in the state sector and beyond face stiffer overseas travel barriers as authorities try to reduce corruption and spying risks.

4. Thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything, fail to enter Malaysia for work

Syndicates send thousands of Bangladeshis to Malaysia for fake jobs, labour advocates say, forcing them to illegally overstay while they seek new jobs to pay debts.

5. Trains to depart Hong Kong at night, arrive in Beijing in morning from June 15

High-speed sleeper trains will run overnight between Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai from this month in a new measure Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said will boost integration with mainland China.

6. China visa-free scheme for Malaysians sparks hope for more travel, business

Rising interest in China travel among Malaysia's Malay-Muslims has seen demand pick up, with agencies handling tour groups in the "double digits" this year.

7. Singapore restaurant ignites a char siu controversy with Cantonese insult

The Chinese love for char siu is strong - so strong, in fact, that frustrated parents often resort to hollering, "Giving birth to char siu is better than giving birth to you". Crystal Jade in Singapore has been at the centre of a heated debate over its use of the insult to promote its barbecued pork.

More Articles from SCMP

Trending ‘rage rituals’ on TikTok see women pay to scream, smash sticks in woods

Hong Kong leader John Lee, chief justice voice regret over resignation of 2 British judges

‘North Korea will react angrily’: how a US bomber drill could backfire

Style Shoot: Strutting Chanel on the streets of Manchester – why the French luxury brand launching its 2023-24 Métiers d’Art show in the gritty British north made perfect sense

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

• The Star ePaper
• Subscriptions
• Manage Profile
• Change Password
• Manage Logins
• Manage Subscription
• Transaction History
• Manage Billing Info
• Manage For You
• Manage Bookmarks
• Package & Pricing

Hong Kong provides loans worth HK$19b to ailing SMEs during pandemic

Thursday, 06 Jun 2024

Related News

North China braces for scorching temperatures as heat wave grips region

Malaysia and china to deepen national security framework says saifuddin, china plans to build more beautiful bays to improve marine ecology.

Algernon Yau Ying-wah, Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong on April 22, 2024. - China Daily/ANN

HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has provided loans worth nearly HK$19 billion (US$2.43 billion) to small and medium enterprises during the pandemic and will continue to provide financial assistance for two more years to help retailers facing challenges, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah said Wednesday (June 5).

Answering a query at the Legislative Council, Yau said the Special 100% Guarantee Product under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS), which provides low-interest concessionary loans to SMEs, has benefitted over 6,000 enterprises and nearly 53,000 employees since it was launched in April 2020.

“In view of the ongoing challenges faced by SMEs, the government extends in this year's Budget the application period for the 80% and 90% Guarantee Products under the SFGS for two years to end March 2026, so as to assist more SMEs (including those in the retail sector) in coping with cash flow problems,” Yau said.

He said the government was actively supporting SMEs in carrying out promotion activities and developing their businesses through the SME Export Marketing Fund, which has benefitted over 6,800 enterprises with a total funding of HK$700 million.

The SAR government also provides subsidies to assist SMEs in retail and food and beverage industries in applying e-payment and other ready-to-use basic digital solutions to expedite digital transformation.

Yau made the statement after LegCo member Adrian Ho asked about the SAR government’s plans to help the retail sector amid changing consumption habits of locals and tourists alike.

According to data released by the Census and Statistics Department last week, Hong Kong’s retail sales declined sharply by 14.7 percent year-on-year in April to HK$29.6 billion.

Yau said Hong Kong's economy has been recovering steadily in the past year, with C&SD data showing that total retail sales increased by 16.2 percent from HK$350 billion in 2022 to HK$407 billion in 2023.

He said that, along with rise in employment earnings, the recent stabilization of asset markets and the further revival in inbound tourism-- the number of visitors is expected to increase by 35 percent year-on-year to 46 million in 2024—will benefit the retail sector directly.

He also pointed out the SAR government's continued efforts in promoting a “mega event” economy while stimulating consumption, and central government's further enhancement of the Individual Visit Scheme by extending its scope from 49 to 59 cities to cover all provincial capitals in the country.

“In the first quarter of this year, the real gross domestic product grew by 2.7 percent over the preceding year, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth,” Yau said.

“Some recent data show that the economic performance remains positive in general, including the increase in the number of inbound visitors and the continuous improvement in the exports of goods. The forecast of economic growth for 2024 is maintained at 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent,” he added. - China Daily/ANN

Tags / Keywords: China , Hong Kong , loans , HK$19b , ailing SMEs , pandemic

Found a mistake in this article?

Report it to us.

Thank you for your report!

Nurturing healthy environments for all

Next in aseanplus news.

Trending in AseanPlus

Air pollutant index, highest api readings, select state and location to view the latest api reading.

• Select Location

Source: Department of Environment, Malaysia

Others Also Read

Best viewed on Chrome browsers.

We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form below

Thank you for downloading.

We hope you enjoy this feature!