5 Top cities in China for a quick weekend trip from Hong Kong

Travel time: 20 minutes from Hong Kong
Perfect for: coastal views, nature, street food

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder to Hong Kong, Shenzhen is a great place to dip your toes into what China has to offer. As a migrant city, Shenzhen is foodie heaven, as it’s a melting pot of delicious cuisines and cultures from all over the country. They are known for their seafood, and oysters here are referred to as ‘milk from the bottom of the ocean’. The city boasts several streets famous for street food such as Hua Qiang Bei Road and many night markets perfect for late-night cravings. 

Shenzhen is also known for its ’Eight Scenic Spots’, a great selection of nature, history and cultural attractions: Dapeng Fortress, Lotus Hill Park, Overseas Chinese Town, Shennan Thoroughfare, Wutong Mountain, Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches, Zhongying Street and Yangtai Mountain. 

Highlights would be the Overseas China Town (OCT), which features a cluster of other interesting attractions such as the Window of the World and Splendid China Folk Village. Over in the Yantian District, Dameisha Seashore Park – sometimes referred to as the Hawaii of the East – is a great place to relax by the sea. Finally, if you are craving lots of greenery, the mangrove nature reserve is the country’s smallest national reserve and is nestled right next to Binhai Boulevard Coastal Ecological Park in Shenzhen.

Travel time: one to two hours from Hong Kong
Perfect for: Cantonese food, history, architecture

If you live in Hong Kong, you will already be familiar with many famous local dishes that originated in Guangzhou. Must eats include cheung fun rice rolls, Sampan congee (main ingredients are fish fillet and fried peanuts), boiled shrimp dipped in soy sauce, roast goose, and glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaves.

Guangzhou is a modern city with eye-catching landmarks such as the Guangdong Opera House and the Canton TV Tower skyscraper. However, it also has historical attractions such as Yuexiu Park, home to the Guangzhou Museum and the Five Rams Sculpture, which is a direct reference to the legend that five immortals riding rams blessed the city with the prosperity in rice. Guangzhou also has a rich history in foreign trade, so places like the Catholic Sacred Heart Cathedral and Shamian Island with French and British architecture are an enduring reminder of its significance and influence on the city on a global scale.

For those interested in wildlife, you can check out Chimelong Safari Park and the South China Botanical Garden, which are popular attractions for a good reason!

Travel time: three hours from Hong Kong
Perfect for: Coastal activities, food, history

Shantou is known for its stunning coastline. This coastal attraction is called Guan Hai Chang Lang, which translates directly to Ocean Corridor, making Shantou the perfect place for a beachy getaway. From the city, you can also get to Nan’ao Island, an ideal day trip if you're looking to relax on beautiful golden beaches and indulge in opportunities to hike, cycle, and eat fresh seafood.

Within the city, you can also explore the Old Town which traces its history back to the Ming Dynasty, where you can picture its former history as a fishing village and trading port and admire a mixture of Western and Chinese architecture. Shantou is also known for its delicious Chaoshan beef hot pot, which is a style of hot pot with slices of beef blanched in light beef stock and dipped in sauces like soy sauce or satay.

Travel time: 3.5 hours from Hong Kong
Perfect for: History and culture

Zhangzhou is a city rich in history. You can explore the Old Town of Zhangzhou, where you can wander through ancient streets and admire incredibly well-preserved buildings from the Tang and Song Dynasties which have been the backdrop of many historical films and TV shows. Zhangzhou is also known as the 'City of Flowers and Fruits', so be sure to try out their tangerines, lychees, bananas, longans, grapefruits, and pineapples when you visit.

From Zhangzhou, you can travel to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site Tianluokeng Tulou cluster, which are Hakka round earth buildings that once housed up to 800 people each. Known as 'a little kingdom for the family' or 'bustling small city', these impressive houses were essentially whole villages and are a remarkable example of communal living.

Travel time: 3.5 hours from Hong Kong
Perfect for: Nature lovers, outdoor activities

Guilin is a beautiful and lush city that looks as though it’s come straight out of a fairytale. Guilin is world-famous for its breathtaking karst scenery, lakes, caves, and the Li River, which is known in China as 'A Hundred Mile Gallery' and is the background image of the 20RMB note! Exploring the Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, and admiring the lakes are popular activities to do in the city.

Most people will embark on the Li River cruise to Yangshuo to fully take in the natural surroundings up close. The journey takes about four hours and leads you to arguably the best place to view the karst scenery in the area. Yangshuo is a small town surrounded by rice paddies and is relatively quieter than Guilin. If you love being in nature and doing outdoor activities, Yangshuo is a great place to be. You can bike around the countryside, go rock climbing, bamboo rafting, kayaking, or hiking.

Both these places have signature dishes that are popular throughout China! In Guilin, be sure to try some Guilin rice noodles, while in Yangshuo, the beer fish is a must-try.