Top 15 Best Day Trips From Hong Kong Into China 2026

Guangzhou is the ancient capital of Cantonese culture and the birthplace of yum cha and Cantonese opera — an essential trip for any Hong Kong family wanting to understand their roots. High-speed rail from West Kowloon reaches Guangzhou South in just 48 minutes (XRL, HKD 245 adult return). Top highlights: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠), Shamian Island colonial architecture, Beijing Road shopping, and the incredible Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家) for dim sum. Visa: full China visa required (no exemption at Guangzhou).

Macau sits just 1 hour from Hong Kong by high-speed ferry (TurboJET or Cotai Waterjet; approx. HKD 170-250 return) or 40 minutes from HK border via the HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge shuttle bus (HKD 65-80). The UNESCO-listed Historic Centre offers extraordinary Portuguese-Chinese architecture including the Ruins of St Paul's and Senado Square. Must-eat: egg tarts from Lord Stow's Bakery, pork chop buns, and Macanese Portuguese chicken. No China visa needed — use HK passport or EEP.

Zhuhai is one of China's cleanest and most liveable cities, sitting directly across the border from Macau. The HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge has made it directly accessible from HK by shuttle bus to the HZMB HK Port, then crossing to Zhuhai Port (approx. 45 min, HKD 65-80 + CNY 20-35 bus). Key attractions: Zhuhai Lovers' Road coastal promenade, Yuanming New Garden (圆明新园), and the popular Chimelong Ocean Kingdom — one of the world's largest aquariums. China visa required for non-PR.

Foshan is the birthplace of Wing Chun kung fu and the legendary martial artist Ip Man (Bruce Lee's teacher), and is Guangdong's premier ceramics production city. High-speed rail to Guangzhou South then Metro Line 2 to Foshan (total approx. 1h 15m from HK). Must-visit: Zu Miao (Ancestor Temple, 祖庙) — a Taoist temple complex with dazzling Shiwan ceramic roof sculptures; Nanfeng Ancient Kiln (南风古灶); and the Ip Man Museum. Budget day trip; most sites cost CNY 20-50.

Dongguan sits between Shenzhen and Guangzhou and is famous in China as the "City of Basketball" (home of the Dongguan Leopards CBA team) and China's furniture wholesale capital. The Houjie Furniture Market (厚街家具市场) is a destination in itself for anyone furnishing a home — entire container-loads of furniture at factory prices. Travel: XRL from West Kowloon to Dongguan Humen in 30 minutes (HKD 125 return). Also accessible via Shenzhen bus. China visa required.

Zhongshan is a mid-sized Guangdong city directly accessible from Hong Kong by ferry (approx. 90 min from China Ferry Terminal, HKD 150-200 return). The city is named after and was the birthplace of Dr Sun Yat-sen, founder of modern China, and his childhood home in Cuiheng Village (翠亨村) is a fascinating historical site. Zhongshan is also famous for Shaxi Ancient Town (沙溪古镇) — a beautifully preserved Ming-era market town. A peaceful, less-touristed day trip.

Huizhou (惠州) sits 90 minutes from Hong Kong by coach (via Guangdong Coach at Lo Wu or Lowu Coach Station) or 1 hour by high-speed rail to Huizhou South station. The city offers West Lake (惠州西湖) — a scenic lake district with pavilions and walking paths; Xiapu Ancient Town; and, crucially, Shuangyuewan (双月湾) beach — a gorgeous twin-bay coastline popular with Shenzhen and Hong Kong families for weekend beach trips. Best May-October. China visa required.

Kaiping (开平) in Guangdong is home to the extraordinary Kaiping Diaolou and Villages — a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring hundreds of unique multi-storey watchtowers built by overseas Chinese emigrants in the early 20th century, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles in remarkable ways. It is one of southern China's most visually arresting sights and rarely visited by tourists from outside China. Travel: 2.5 hours from Guangzhou by coach or train; budget a full day. China visa required.

Nanling National Forest Park (南岭国家森林公园) straddles the Guangdong-Hunan border and is one of the most biodiverse forest ecosystems in China, home to ancient nanmu trees, waterfalls, and rare subtropical flora. It is a popular hiking and camping destination for Guangzhou and Shenzhen families. Travel: 3 hours from Guangzhou by coach to Ruyuan County. Best March-April (azalea bloom) or September-October. Not a simple day trip from HK — better as an overnight. China visa required.

Guangzhou is the ancient capital of Cantonese culture and the birthplace of yum cha and Cantonese opera — an essential trip for any Hong Kong family wanting to understand their roots. High-speed rail from West Kowloon reaches Guangzhou South in just 48 minutes (XRL, HKD 245 adult return). Top highlights: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠), Shamian Island colonial architecture, Beijing Road shopping, and the incredible Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家) for dim sum. Visa: full China visa required (no exemption at Guangzhou).

Macau sits just 1 hour from Hong Kong by high-speed ferry (TurboJET or Cotai Waterjet; approx. HKD 170-250 return) or 40 minutes from HK border via the HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge shuttle bus (HKD 65-80). The UNESCO-listed Historic Centre offers extraordinary Portuguese-Chinese architecture including the Ruins of St Paul's and Senado Square. Must-eat: egg tarts from Lord Stow's Bakery, pork chop buns, and Macanese Portuguese chicken. No China visa needed — use HK passport or EEP.

Zhuhai is one of China's cleanest and most liveable cities, sitting directly across the border from Macau. The HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge has made it directly accessible from HK by shuttle bus to the HZMB HK Port, then crossing to Zhuhai Port (approx. 45 min, HKD 65-80 + CNY 20-35 bus). Key attractions: Zhuhai Lovers' Road coastal promenade, Yuanming New Garden (圆明新园), and the popular Chimelong Ocean Kingdom — one of the world's largest aquariums. China visa required for non-PR.

Foshan is the birthplace of Wing Chun kung fu and the legendary martial artist Ip Man (Bruce Lee's teacher), and is Guangdong's premier ceramics production city. High-speed rail to Guangzhou South then Metro Line 2 to Foshan (total approx. 1h 15m from HK). Must-visit: Zu Miao (Ancestor Temple, 祖庙) — a Taoist temple complex with dazzling Shiwan ceramic roof sculptures; Nanfeng Ancient Kiln (南风古灶); and the Ip Man Museum. Budget day trip; most sites cost CNY 20-50.

Dongguan sits between Shenzhen and Guangzhou and is famous in China as the "City of Basketball" (home of the Dongguan Leopards CBA team) and China's furniture wholesale capital. The Houjie Furniture Market (厚街家具市场) is a destination in itself for anyone furnishing a home — entire container-loads of furniture at factory prices. Travel: XRL from West Kowloon to Dongguan Humen in 30 minutes (HKD 125 return). Also accessible via Shenzhen bus. China visa required.

Zhongshan is a mid-sized Guangdong city directly accessible from Hong Kong by ferry (approx. 90 min from China Ferry Terminal, HKD 150-200 return). The city is named after and was the birthplace of Dr Sun Yat-sen, founder of modern China, and his childhood home in Cuiheng Village (翠亨村) is a fascinating historical site. Zhongshan is also famous for Shaxi Ancient Town (沙溪古镇) — a beautifully preserved Ming-era market town. A peaceful, less-touristed day trip.

Huizhou (惠州) sits 90 minutes from Hong Kong by coach (via Guangdong Coach at Lo Wu or Lowu Coach Station) or 1 hour by high-speed rail to Huizhou South station. The city offers West Lake (惠州西湖) — a scenic lake district with pavilions and walking paths; Xiapu Ancient Town; and, crucially, Shuangyuewan (双月湾) beach — a gorgeous twin-bay coastline popular with Shenzhen and Hong Kong families for weekend beach trips. Best May-October. China visa required.

Kaiping (开平) in Guangdong is home to the extraordinary Kaiping Diaolou and Villages — a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring hundreds of unique multi-storey watchtowers built by overseas Chinese emigrants in the early 20th century, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles in remarkable ways. It is one of southern China's most visually arresting sights and rarely visited by tourists from outside China. Travel: 2.5 hours from Guangzhou by coach or train; budget a full day. China visa required.

Nanling National Forest Park (南岭国家森林公园) straddles the Guangdong-Hunan border and is one of the most biodiverse forest ecosystems in China, home to ancient nanmu trees, waterfalls, and rare subtropical flora. It is a popular hiking and camping destination for Guangzhou and Shenzhen families. Travel: 3 hours from Guangzhou by coach to Ruyuan County. Best March-April (azalea bloom) or September-October. Not a simple day trip from HK — better as an overnight. China visa required.