Daredevil experiences in the Greater Bay Area

In recent years, extreme sports such as skateboarding and surfing have transitioned from parks and beaches to the world stage, with many becoming official Olympic events in recent Games.

If watching the adrenaline-fuelled action in Paris has inspired you to test the limits of your own skill, strength, and courage, you need not venture far. Here are some extreme sports you can try in the Greater Bay Area. 

Surfing: Hong Kong

Don't let Hong Kong's gleaming skyscrapers fool you; with hundreds of kilometres of coastline, the city is a haven for water sports. Big Wave Bay in Sai Kung is one of Hong Kong's premier surfing locations, attracting many experienced surfers during autumn and winter. Another popular spot, Shek O Beach, has relatively calm waters, making it more suitable for novices. 

Further from the city centre, Cheung Sha Beach on Lantau Island offers a tranquil surfing experience. As the longest beach in Hong Kong, it welcomes waves of all sizes – and surfers of all skill levels. At Lower Cheung Sha Beach, you’ll find Hong Kong Surf Lessons , where professional instructors with internationally recognised certifications provide one-to-one and group surfing lessons in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Surfboards are available to rent, and participants of all abilities are welcome to have a go at riding the waves.

Skateboarding: Macao

Did Coco Yoshizawa's gold medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics light a fire under you? You don’t have to aim for world champion status to give street skateboarding a try. Simply head to Macao’s first indoor skate park, Ride 2 Exit . The venue features terrains for different types of skateboarding, including those represented at the Olympics: street and park. Street skateboarding involves skating on a course designed to mimic an urban environment, complete with stairs, rails and other obstacles. Meanwhile, park terrain comprises slopes and bowls for showcasing aerial tricks and stylish manoeuvres. 

Ride 2 Exit offers skateboarding lessons with professional instructors, and equipment is available for purchase. Beginners will start by learning basic ground movements such as mounting the board and gliding. Those with some foundation will focus on practising ramp and bowl techniques. Children as young as four can participate, making it an excellent activity for family holidays.

How to get there: read our comprehensive guide on travelling to Macao here. 

Sport climbing: Shenzhen

When you think of climbing, visions of scaling steep cliffs might come to mind. Fear not, however: sport climbing can also be practised on climbing walls with harnesses, making it both safe and accessible for those looking to improve their strength, flexibility and balance.  

Banana Climbing is one of the best gyms for this activity in the GBA, with outposts in three major shopping centres in Shenzhen: Link City in Futian, Wanda Plaza in Longgang and Houhai Harbour in Nanshan. The 600-square-metre Nanshan flagship venue is the largest, with indoor and outdoor zones for both top rope climbing and bouldering. Climbing shoes are available to rent, and professional instructors are on hand to offer guidance.

Various locations including: B2-01 and Shan Square, Houhai Harbour, 3288 Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen  

How to get there: read our comprehensive guide on travelling to Shenzhen here.

Skiing: Guangzhou

While skiing comes with its share of thrills, this winter sport is easily adapted to suit different ages and abilities. Even better, the rising popularity of skiing in the Chinese Mainland has led to the development of gigantic indoor ski resorts which allow participants to experience skiing year-round. 

There are several great locations dotted around the GBA, but for the ultimate snow experience, check out Guangzhou Sunac Snow Park . This indoor venue covers an impressive 75,000 square metres and features five slopes of varying difficulty. Beginners can build up their confidence on the gentle runs, while experienced skiers can hit the more challenging slopes. There’s also a snow play area where you can enjoy a ride in a snow tube – fun for adults and children alike.

How to get there: read our comprehensive guide on travelling to Guangzhou here. 

Skydiving: Zhaoqing

The exhilarating feeling of soaring through the air, surrounded by beautiful scenery, draws thrill-seekers to popular skydiving destinations like Queenstown and Cairns, yet you can fulfill your skydiving dream closer to home. Yanzhou Island is a serene spot in Zhaoqing’s Dinghu District, where year-round warmth and sunshine allow for skydiving during all seasons through local company, Yingfei Skydive .   

After being flown to an altitude of 4,000 metres, you'll make your dive accompanied by an instructor, free falling for about 50 seconds before safely landing. If you’re brave enough to keep your eyes open, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent view of Lingyang Gorge from above. A photographer will also be on hand to capture this unforgettable moment, and you'll receive a certificate afterwards to mark your achievement.

How to get there: read our comprehensive guide on travelling to Zhaoqing here.