What makes Hong Kong one of the most popular travel destinations in the world? To start with, there is always something exciting happening: world-class cultural events spanning Western and Chinese cultures, local celebrations, renowned art and cultural programs and sporting events are always taking place year-round in the city. Furthermore, visitors can complement their stay in Hong Kong by exploring the Greater Bay Area, further elevating their travel experience.
The Greater Bay Area, situated at the southern gateway of China, encompasses two special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macao, along with nine cities in Guangdong Province: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing. With the world’s most densely clustered seaports and airports, the region not only offers diverse travel experiences but also tantalizing local cuisine. Here are some of our favourite itineraries in the Greater Bay Area.
First Stop: Hong Kong
Hong Kong serves as the starting point for exploring the Greater Bay Area, boasting numerous distinctive attractions including views atop Victoria Peak, nightlife at Lan Kwai Fong, newly revamped Temple Street and ‘A Symphony of Lights’ show. This city is sure to immerse you in its unique charm and allure.
There are around 17,000 eateries, with 79 of them earning Michelin stars in 2024 in Hong Kong. For those willing to splurge, there are plenty of three Michelin-starred establishments beckoning, from 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo–Bombana offering tantalizing Italian fares, to French cuisine at Caprice at the Four Seasons Hotel in Central, not to mention famous Chinese establishments such as Forum Restaurant and T’ang Court at The Langham hotel. For those craving nostalgic flavors, there are Chiu Chow dishes at Sang Kee, wonton noodles at Tsim Chai Kee, snake soup at Ser Wong Fun, as well as Swiss chicken wings, roast pigeon, and giant soufflé at Tai Ping Koon.
Hong Kong is an Asian culinary paradise, offering a plethora of options: from affordable traditional Chinese desserts at Kai Kai Dessert, chicken hotpot with fish maw at Hawkers Centre, grilled skewers at KUSHI by Skewer Kitchen, Mexican cuisine at 8Five2 Restobar, authentic Shanghai dishes at Shanghai Hong Kong Noodle Shop, specialty glutinous rice noodles at Block 18 Doggie’s Noodle, to the traditional Cantonese barbecue at Yuen Hing Restaurant tucked away in an alley for over half a century.
To truly experience the authentic culinary culture of Hong Kong, dim sum is a must. You can go to Lung King Heen, the world’s first three-Michelin-star-Chinese restaurant, or Duddell’s, which combines elements of a restaurant and an art gallery, and Tim Ho Wan, once hailed as the world’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant. They all offer the essence of Hong Kong-style dim sum at its finest.
Second Stop: Shenzhen
Once acclaimed by The New York Times as one of the 31 must-visit destinations around the globe, Shenzhen is less than 20 minutes away by high-speed train from Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station.
Shenzhen has a long history. When it was founded more than 600 years ago, it was known as ‘Pengcheng’. Today, you can still visit the ancient coastal military fortresses, said to be amongst the best-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasties’ structures of its kind. The Gankeng Hakka Town, built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, offers a glimpse into the charm of historical towns and century-old Hakka houses.
For those seeking a cultural and artistic atmosphere, check out the OCT Loft Creative Culture Park. Former factories have been reimagined to house various creative industries such as design, photography, and animation. Another fun spot is Dafen Oil Painting Village. Often dubbed as the ‘First Village of Chinese Oil Painting’, it is the largest production and trading base for commodity oil paintings in China. The Dafen Art Museum, with its ingenious architectural design, has been recognized as the ‘Best Public Building in China’ by BusinessWeek’s Architecture Records Awards.
Shenzhen’s distinctive cuisine is another attraction. Tai 2 Chinese Sauerkraut Fish consists of fermented mustard greens and delicate fresh Guangdong perch, meticulously prepared with a close eye on the temperature, humidity and fermentation time for the pickled vegetables. Zhu Guang Yu Hot Pot Restaurant, with its retro decor, has become a popular hot pot spot in recent years. Shantou Baheli Haiji Beef Hot Pot is one of Shenzhen’s most renowned Chaoshan-style beef hot pot restaurants. The sliced to order beef is sure to satisfy meat lovers. Season Coconut Chicken Restaurant specializes in authentic Hainanese coconut chicken, highlighting the unique flavours of Hainan cuisine.
Third Stop: Guangzhou
From Shenzhen, you can take the high-speed train to Guangzhou in just 29 minutes. Guangzhou is also known as the City of Flowers or City of Rams, and it has more than 2,000 years of history. Its recent transformation has led Forbes to declare it the second most Transformed City in China.
Numerous attractions in Guangzhou evoke a sense of nostalgia. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, originally known as the Chen Clan Academy, is the largest and best-preserved Qing Dynasty Lingnan-style ancestral hall in Guangdong Province. It was selected as one of the ‘Eight New Century Landscapes of Yangcheng’ for its historical significance. Shawan Ancient Town, dating back to the Song Dynasty, features well-preserved stone-paved streets and ancestral houses scattered throughout the area. Additionally, Shawan’s brick carving craftsmanship is a national-level intangible cultural heritage, showcasing intricate carvings on fine blue bricks, creating lifelike artistic pieces.
Other highlights include the ‘Shangxiajiu’ area along Shangxiajiu Road and Dishipu Road in Guangzhou, spanning approximately one kilometre and renowned as mainland China’s first commercial pedestrian street. Lined with distinctive arcade buildings and various shops, it’s a must-visit destination for leisure shopping or souvenir hunting. Shamian Island, formed by sedimentation from the Pearl River, was once a vital trading port in Guangzhou, boasting over 150 European-style buildings. Yongqing Fang, located between Shangxiajiu and Shamian, in the Liwan District, exudes the charm of Western-style Guangzhou, where one can find vintage barbershops and nostalgic tea houses. The Five Rams Statue, located in Yuexiu Park, is not only a symbol of Guangzhou but also the origin of the city’s nickname ‘Ram City.’
Another must-visit hotspot is the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, funded and built by local and overseas Chinese to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Located at the southern foot of Yuexiu Mountain, it was the former presidential palace during Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s tenure as the provisional president of the Republic of China. It is currently the largest Sun Yat-sen memorial hall globally and serves as a paradigm of the organic integration of Chinese traditional architectural style and Western architectural structure.
Eating in Guangzhou is an irresistible experience, with countless distinctive eateries showcasing the city’s culinary charm. At 1968 Kitchen by Tan, helmed by Tan Guohui, one of Guangzhou’s top ten chefs, must-try signature dishes include crispy roasted black goose, five-flavoured Ma Gang goose with dried tangerine peel, and braised abalone with olive and dried tangerine peel. At Wedding Candy Restaurant, located in the Guangzhou Daily Building, you will taste flaxseed roasted chicken, rose-infused cod fish and Sichuan chilli fish, with stunning views of the city. Chang Lai Xiao Ju is another popular chain restaurant, and it is recommended by the Michelin guide. The outdoor dining area of the Tianhe Plaza branch offers a picturesque view of the Canton Tower. Established in 1880, Tao Tao Ju in Guangzhou, originally a mansion of a prominent Xiguan family, later transformed into a teahouse and received an inscription from Kang Youwei, a prominent scholar of the Qing Dynasty, naming it ‘Tao Tao Ju,’ renowned for its innovative and classic cuisine.
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