The best weekend trips in the Greater Bay Area

From historical landmarks to wondrous natural landscapes, the Greater Bay Area is home to diverse sights that reward exploration beyond the region’s sparkling metropolises. Below, we’ve curated just a few of the best weekend trips to take in the GBA from Hong Kong.

Heritage sites in Jiangmen 

Travel time: 2 hours by high-speed train from Hong Kong

Base your trip around the diaolou – the fortified watchtowers of Kaiping City on the outskirts of Jiangmen. Their stories are as fascinating as their appearances; over the last two centuries, the return of wealthy overseas Chinese emigrants to rural villages sparked a rise in banditry, leading to the development of defensive housing that blended architectural elements from opposite sides of the world. Now a Unesco World Heritage Site, the diaolou, some almost palatial with their domed roofs and arched balconies, stand out in the flat grassy countryside punctuated by unruly vegetation.

Southwest of Kaiping, don’t miss Chikanzhen or Chikan Old Town, which is home to many qilou – tenement buildings with balconies on the upper floors and retail spaces on the ground floor (similar to shophouses) dating back to the 1920s. The architecture is another result of this East-West cultural exchange. The area’s striking streetscape has also made it a popular filming location and tourism destination.

Closer to downtown Jiangmen, stroll along 33 Market Street to marvel at more qilou. The street has gained additional attention thanks to recent appearances on Chinese dramas such as The Knockout.

How to get to Jiangmen: take the high-speed rail from Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station towards Zhanjiang West and alight at Jiangmen Station. For more, read our complete Hong Kong to Jiangmen guide.

Historical Macao sites 

Travel time: 1 hour by express ferry from Hong Kong 

This city, often better known for its shiny resorts and endless shopping, is also a great example of how history continues to co-exist with modern life. Architecture shaped by both Portuguese and Chinese influences continues to line the roads – sightseers can marvel at old cobblestone paths and classical pastel buildings at Senado Square, or the well-worn Na Tcha Temple beside the Ruins of St Paul’s. 

Macanese cuisine displays a similar diversity; visitors can choose from traditional Portuguese fare, more casual favourites like the pork chop bun and cha chaan teng-style dishes. Of course, you can’t skip the street food – jerky, egg rolls, tarts and more – sold from vendors practically spilling onto the walkways. 

How to get to Macao: Take the ferry from Sheung Wan or Tsim Sha Tsui, or a direct coach service from near Hong Kong International Airport. See our full Hong Kong to Macao guide for more. 

Huizhou mountain adventures 

Travel time: 51 minutes by high-speed train from Hong Kong 

Driving northwest from the city centre, you’ll have the opportunity to breathe in the mountain air, bask in lush greenery and relax to the sound of rushing water. Mount Luofu, regarded as a sacred mountain, offers hikers aerial views above a sea of clouds at the top of Feiyun Peak when conditions are right – though there’s still plenty to see even without making the challenging climb. A pleasant walk through the jungle at the foothills brings you to a cableway that scales half the mountain, where a viewpoint, Eagle Beak, grants breathtaking views of the ridge further up. 

Continue north to Nankunshan National Forest Park and its surrounding area for more outdoor experiences, from hot springs and thrilling ziplines to tranquil bamboo forests. Highlights include Chuanlong Waterfall, which cascades over rocky cliffs, and Stone River Wonder (Shihe Qiguan), a picturesque creek lined with sunlit trees. 

At Baishuizhai Scenic Area, located in neighbouring Guangzhou less than an hour from Nankunshan, trek along a boardwalk beside thundering waterfalls that snake down the mountainside. There are also hot spring hotels, villas and lodges in the area where you can stay overnight. 

How to get there: Take the high-speed train to Huizhoubei Station. We recommend driving or ride-hailing from here for convenience. To find out more ways to get to Huizhou, read our guide. 

High-tech Shenzhen wellness 

Travel time: 30 minutes by high-speed train from Hong Kong 

Counteract that always-on lifestyle with always-on wellness in Shenzhen, where 24-hour spas have become a staple of many weekend itineraries. Sprawling luxurious venues like Tenz Spa and Heat Joy are equipped with baths, saunas and steam rooms, massage rooms, refreshments as well as entertainment facilities including video games. Read our full guide to Shenzhen’s spas for more. 

For those looking for a workout, Alabama Gym stands out with its open-concept, no-frills layout, more commonly associated with gyms elsewhere, allowing visitors access to an abundance of strength-training equipment and an uninterrupted focus on their routines. Meanwhile, the modern Jianshang Sports Complex houses multiple facilities that can be booked by the public – from a heated swimming pool and tennis courts to multipurpose arenas and climbing walls – a one-stop destination for sports lovers. 

How to get to Shenzhen: Take the high-speed train to Futian or Shenzhenbei; the MTR to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau, then cross the border on foot; or a cross-border coach – pick-up and drop-off points vary by route and provider. For more, see our Shenzhen visitor’s guide for details.