How to Travel around Greater Bay Area China

Hong Kong neighbors Shenzhen on its north. Thanks to the close distance between the two cities, traveling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen is really easy. You can catch a high speed train (15-20 minutes), coach (1-4 hours), ferry (0.5-1 hour), private car and also MTR (0.5-2 hours) to Shenzhen from Hong Kong. The frequent MTR trains are the best advised choices for the journey. The punctual trains are also recommended, because you can get a unique experience of the "high speed" of China, and it is relatively easy for travelers to go through the immigrations. For the business travelers, you can hire a private car or a taxi to Shenzhen. And if you are on budget, aside from the metro, you can also choose the cross-border coaches. Ferry is a little bit expensive, but it is also recommended for the travelers who are looking for a special travel experience. Check more about How to Travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen >>

Do you need a visa? It depends. There are 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit, 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit and 6-Day Visa-Free Entry to Pearl River Delta three kinds of visa-free policies in Shenzhen, which allow tourists getting to Shenzhen without visa. However, each rule has its special requirements. You can check Hong Kong to Shenzhen Visa Guide to know whether you can have visa-free entry or not.

◇ 6 Days Hong Kong Macau Shenzhen Fusion Tour

Guangzhou is located about 136km northwest of Hong Kong. To travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, there are 7 options for you to choose - high speed train, through train, flight, ferry, bus, private car or making a travel via Shenzhen. High Speed Train and Through Trains are the best recommended. Know more about How to Travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou >>

Do you need a Visa? It depends. There are 3 kinds of visa-free policies in Guangzhou. If you can meet the needs of one of the rules, then you can enjoy visa-free entry to Guangzhou. Check more about Guangzhou Visa Policy >>

◇ 4 Days Hong Kong Guangzhou Sightseeing & Food Tour (By Bullet Train)

Hong Kong is across the sea to Macau. The direct distance between the two cities is only about 38km / 23mi. To get from Hong Kong to Macau, you can take a ferry (1 hour around), helicopter (15 minutes), private car (1 hour around) or bus (2 hours around). Since the opening of Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau Bridge, you can also take cross-boundary shuttles buses or coaches to travel to Macau from Hong Kong. It takes only about 45 minutes to get from Hong Kong Port on the Hong Kong side of the bridge to Macau. Check more details of Hong Kong to Macau >>

Do you need a Visa? It depends. A Macau Visa is required normally for a travel to Macau. But, if you are citizens of specific foreign countries and territories, and visit Macau for short-term tour and business, you may have visa-free entry to Macau. Check more about Macau SAR Visa >>

◇ 2 Days Hong Kong & Macau Highlights Tour (by Ferry)
◇ 3 Days Hong Kong & Macau In-depth Cultural Tour

Zhuhai neighboring Macau is also across the sea to Hong Kong. At present, catching cross-boundary shuttle buses, coaches and private cars via Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau Bridge are the most popular options to travel from Hong Kong to Zhuhai. There are 24-hour shuttle buses traveling from Hong Kong side to Zhuhai side via the bridge every day. And Trans-Island Limousine cross-boundary coaches can take you travel from Hong Kong city to Zhuhai Port on Zhuhai side of the bridge directly.

Do you need a visa? It depends. Usually, you need a Chinese Visa to visit Zhuhai. However, tourists from 53 countries can have 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta (Zhuhai is included) without visa. Check more about 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong or Macau >>

Zhuhai is just about 6km north of Macau. As Zhuhai is a city in mainland China that has different money, passports and legal system from Macau, to travel from Macau to Zhuhai, you need to cross the border at one of the ports. There are Gongbei Port, Hengqin Port and Macau Port (the port at Macau side of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge) available. For tourists, you are usually suggested to cross the border at Gongbei Port or Hengqin Port. Gongbei Port provides service from 06:00 to 01:00 of next day. Hengqin Port offer 24-hour service. You can ask a taxi in Macau to one of the ports first and then go through the immigration to Zhuhai.

Do you need a visa? It depends. Normally foreign visitor should apply and get a Chinese Visa to visit Zhuhai. However, to get from Macau to Zhuhai, tourists of 53 countries from Hong Kong or Macau can have 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta (Zhuhai is included) without visa. Check more about 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong or Macau >>

Usually, travelers can take ferries (1 hour around), helicopters (15 minutes), private cars (1 hour around) and cross-boundary shuttle buses and coaches to Hong Kong from Macau. The ferries and helicopters make departure from Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal or Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. The cross-boundary shuttle buses are traveling from Macau Port of Macau side on Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau Bridge to Hong Kong side. The cross-boundary coaches can take you from some of the high-end hotels in Macau to Hong Kong city area directly, such as Sands Macao, Venetian Macao, Parisian Macao, etc.

Do you need a Visa? It depends. Hong Kong provides visa exemption to certain certificate owners for any purpose of visiting, and visa / entry permit to citizens (ordinary passport holders) of 170 countries. Otherwise, you need to apply for and get a visa to go to Hong Kong as required. Check more about Hong Kong SAR Visa >>

◇ 2 Days Hong Kong & Macau Highlights Tour (by Ferry)
◇ 3 Days Hong Kong & Macau In-depth Cultural Tour

Shenzhen is located about 60km northeast of Macau. The two cities are well-linked by ferry (70 minutes around), helicopter (15 minutes around) and private cars (2 hours around). Besides, since Zhuhai Railway Station is really close to Gongbei Port, you can also go through the immigration from Macau to Zhuhai and then catch a high speed train to Shenzhen. Check more about How to Travel from Macau to Shenzhen >>

Do you need a visa? It depends. Normally a Chinese Visa is required for foreign visitors to visit Shenzhen. However, to get from Macau to Shenzhen, tourists of 53 countries from Hong Kong or Macau can have 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta (Shenzhen is included) without visa. Check more about 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong or Macau >>

Useful Links:
Zhuhai to Shenzhen real-time train schedules >>

>> 6 Days Hong Kong Macau Shenzhen Fusion Tour

The journey from Macau to Guangzhou is a little bit longer than to Shenzhen. You can take connecting ferries (more than 2 hours), coaches (2.5 hour around), private cars (2.5 hour around) and train (1hour around) 4 kinds of ways for you to choose. The trains departing from Zhuhai Railway Station near Gongbei Port (one of the ports links Macau and Zhuhai together) are our best recommends. If you want to experience the ferries, you need to take ferries to Shenzhen and then transfer to Guangzhou, because there is no direct ferry connecting Guangzhou and Macau. Check more about How to Travel Between Macau and Guangzhou >>

Do you need a Visa? It depends. Usually, foreign visitors touring Guangzhou are required to apply a Chinese visa. However, Guangzhou is in Pearl River Delta, and tourists of 53 countries from Hong Kong or Macau can have 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour without visa. Check more about 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong or Macau >>

Shenzhen provides metro, coach, bullet train, ferry and private car services to Hong Kong. You can get from Shenzhen to Hong Kong in about 0.5-2 hours by metro, about 15-20 minutes by bullet train, 1-1.5 hours (50 km) by car, 1-4 hours by coach and 0.5-1 hours by ferry. Check more about How to Get from Shenzhen to Hong Kong >>

Do you need a visa? It depends. Hong Kong provides visa exemption to certain certificate owners for any purpose of visiting, and visa / entry permit to citizens (ordinary passport holders) of 170 countries. Otherwise, you need to apply for and get a visa to go to Hong Kong as required. Check more about Hong Kong SAR Visa >>

◇ 6 Days Hong Kong Macau Shenzhen Fusion Tour

To get from Shenzhen to Macau, you can choose the ferries (70-80 minutes), coaches (3 hours around), helicopters (15 minutes around) and private cars (2.5 hours around). Check more about How to Get to Macau from Shenzhen >>

Do you need a visa? It depends. A Macau Visa is required normally for a travel to Macau. But, if you are citizens of specific foreign countries and territories, and visit Macau for short-term tour and business, you may have visa-free entry to Macau. Check more about Macau SAR Visa >>

◇ 6 Days Hong Kong Macau Shenzhen Fusion Tour

Shenzhen and Guangzhou are two most vibrant cities of Guangdong Province. By far out preferred way to travel from Shenzhen to Guangzhou is using the high speed trains (0.5-1.5 hrs). Some people also choose the normal trains (1.5-2.5 hrs) and bus (1.5-4 hrs). For the travelers who are on business travel, they may also hire private cars (0.5-1.5 hrs). Due to the close distance between the two cities, there is no direct flight for you to choose. Check more about How to Go from Shenzhen to Guangzhou >>

Do you need a visa? No.

◇ 4 Days Guangzhou Shenzhen Explorer Tour by Bullet Train

There are high speed trains, normal trains, coaches, taxies and private cars for you to choose. Usually, to travel from Guangzhou to Shenzhen, the travelers on business travel will hire a private car (about 1.5-2.5 hours) or take a train (0.5-3.5 hours). Other tourists also like the trains and cars most, but aside from that, sometimes they may also choose a bus (about 1.5-4 hours) or a taxi (about 1.5-2.5 hours). Travel from Guangzhou to Shenzhen by connecting flights needs at least 6 hours or so. Check more about Transport from Guangzhou to Shenzhen >>

Do you need a visa? No.

◇ 4 Days Guangzhou Shenzhen Explorer Tour by Bullet Train

You can travel from Guangzhou to Hong Kong directly by high speed trains, through trains, ferries, coaches, flights and private cars and also travel via Shenzhen. Usually, it needs about 1 hour around by high speed train, 2 hours around by through train, 1.5-2 hours by ferry, 3-3.5 hours by coach and 1-1.5 hours by flight. And if you go via Shenzhen, it takes about 3 hours or more. Check more about Guangzhou to Hong Kong >>

Do you need a visa? It depends. If you can meet one of the two visa-free situations, you can get visa-free entry to Hong Kong. Otherwise, you are required to have a visa. Check more about Hong Kong SAR Visa >>

◇ 4 Days Hong Kong Guangzhou Sightseeing & Food Tour

Though both Guangzhou and Macau have its ferry terminals, there is no such a ferry route between them. However, you can travel from Guangzhou to Macau by train (1 hour around), coach (2 hours around), and private car (2 hours around). The best recommended way is taking the trains to Zhuhai Railway Station, from where you can cross the border at Gongbei Port to Macau. Check more about How to Travel Between Macau and Guangzhou >>

Do you need a visa? It depends. Normally, a Macau Visa is required for a travel to Macau. But, if you are citizens of specific foreign countries and territories, and visit Macau for short-term tour and business, you may have visa-free entry to Macau. Check more about Macau SAR Visa >>

Foshan is about 30km southwest of Guangzhou. It has two railway stations and many coach stations spreading its area. Usually, tourists heading to Foshan will catch a high speed train or coach to its downtown directly or travel to Guangzhou first and then make a transfer to Foshan.

If you are going to visit Foshan from Guangzhou, you can catch the metro (Guangfo Line), train and coaches. Traveling by metros are the best recommended way, by which you can get to the famous Ancestor Hall of Foshan City in only about 1 hour. However, if you are traveling with heavy luggage, private cars are more advised.

Shunde, which is widely known as the birthplace of Cantonese Cuisine, is under the jurisdiction of Foshan. If you are looking for the most traditional Cantonese food, you are suggested not to miss this wonderful place. To get to Shunde, tourists usually choose to travel from Guangzhou otherwise Foshan. It takes only about 8 minutes to catch a high speed train from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Shunde. Besides, you can also take coaches, taxis or private cars to Shunde from Guangzhou, which needs only about 1 hour around.

Do you need a visa? No.

◇ 4 Days Foshan Culture Seeking with Guangzhou Must-sees

Useful Link:
>> Guangzhou Metro

Jiangmen is where the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Kaiping Diaolou and Villages located in. Usually, tourists who are going to visit these villages in Jiangmen will travel to Guangzhou city and then find a high speed train or coach to Jiangmen. The traveling journey from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Jiangmen East Railway Station by bullet train needs only about 35 minutes to 1 hour. And the coaches can be found at almost any one coach stations in Guangzhou.

Do you need a visa? No.

◇ 4 Days Kaiping Diaolou and Villages Admiration Tour with Guangzhou Bests

There are many traveling routes in Greater Bay Area. You can travel cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc. in mainland China first, and then transfer to Macau and Hong Kong for a visit and find a convenient flight to go back your home. Also, you can land at and visit Hong Kong and Macau first, and then explore cities in Guangdong. Usually, a tour in Greater Bay Area needs about 7-9 days, including 2-3 days in Hong Kong, 1 day in Macau, 2-3 days in Shenzhen, 2-3 days in Guangzhou and its nearby Foshan and Shunde.

Tourist tip: Considering Hong Kong has more daily international flights, you are more advised to land at Hong Kong first.

◇ 8 Days Amazing Greater Bay Area Tour

And if you have more days in China, you can also add more wonderful tourist destinations outside of Greater Bay Area into your journey. The closest Guilin, Guizhou and Zhangjiajie are our pick of best recommends. Other hot tourist destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Kunming, Yangtze River, etc. are also great choices to create lifelong memories.

Learn More About:

◇ How to Plan a Trip to Hong Kong

◇ How to Plan a Trip to Guangzhou

◇ How to Plan a Trip to Shenzhen

Travel Greater Bay Area with China Discovery

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