7-Day Hong Kong + Macau + Shenzhen Itinerary 2026
A 7-day Greater Bay Area itinerary covering Hong Kong (4 days), Macau (2 days), and Shenzhen (1 day). Combines colonial heritage, Chinese modernity, and Portuguese-influenced culture.
Quick Answer
What is this 7-day itinerary like?
This 7-day itinerary covers 5 UNESCO sites, involves 25 km of walking, and offers a total cost of $1,380.
Day by day
Book this trip →Seven days lets you see Hong Kong, Macau, and Shenzhen in one trip. HSR connects all three (1h HK-Shenzhen, 1h HK-Macau via ferry). Most visa-free for 30 days.
Hong Kong arrival
Arrive Hong Kong International (HKG) · Airport Express to Central (24 min, HK$115) · Victoria Peak (tram + Sky Terrace, HK$65) · Harbour night view from Tsim Sha Tsui
- 09:00Arrive Hong Kong International
HKG
- 11:00Airport Express to Central
24 min, HK$115
- 13:00Victoria Peak
tram + Sky Terrace, HK$65
- 15:00Harbour night view from Tsim Sha Tsui
Harbour night view from Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong Island
Star Ferry (HK$4) · Central-Mid-Levels escalator · Man Mo Temple · PMQ or Tai Kwun · Evening: Lan Kwai Fong
- 09:00Star Ferry
HK$4
- 11:00Central
Mid Levels escalator
- 13:00Man Mo Temple
Man Mo Temple
- 15:00PMQ or Tai Kwun
PMQ or Tai Kwun
- 17:00Evening: Lan Kwai Fong
Evening: Lan Kwai Fong
Kowloon and markets
Temple Street Night Market · Ladies Market + Sneaker Street · Mongkok goldfish market · Evening: Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbour
- 09:00Temple Street Night Market
Temple Street Night Market
- 11:00Ladies Market + Sneaker Street
Ladies Market + Sneaker Street
- 13:00Mongkok goldfish market
Mongkok goldfish market
- 15:00Evening: Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbour
Evening: Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbour
Lantau Island
Ngong Ping 360 cable car · Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) · Po Lin Monastery vegetarian lunch · Tai O fishing village stilt houses
- 09:00Ngong Ping 360 cable car
Ngong Ping 360 cable car
- 11:00Tian Tan Buddha
Big Buddha
- 13:00Po Lin Monastery vegetarian lunch
Po Lin Monastery vegetarian lunch
- 15:00Tai O fishing village stilt houses
Tai O fishing village stilt houses
Transfer to Macau
TurboJET or Cotai Water Jet to Macau (1h, HK$190-220) · Ruins of St. Paul's · Senado Square · Macau Tower (HK$165 observation) · Evening: Cotai Strip
- 09:00TurboJET or Cotai Water Jet to Macau
1h, HK$190 220
- 11:00Ruins of St. Paul's
Ruins of St. Paul's
- 13:00Senado Square
Senado Square
- 15:00Macau Tower
HK$165 observation
- 17:00Evening: Cotai Strip
Evening: Cotai Strip
Macau heritage
Coloane Village · A-Ma Temple (UNESCO) · Macanese lunch at Restaurante Espaco · Taipa Village · Evening: Venetian or Parisian Macao show
- 09:00Coloane Village
Coloane Village
- 11:00A
Ma Temple UNESCO
- 13:00Macanese lunch at Restaurante Espaco
Macanese lunch at Restaurante Espaco
- 15:00Taipa Village
Taipa Village
- 17:00Evening: Venetian or Parisian Macao show
Evening: Venetian or Parisian Macao show
Shenzhen day
HSR Macau → Shenzhen (1.5h, ¥160) · Window of the World or Splendid China · Shenzhen Museum · Evening: Shenzhen Bay Park + departure
- 09:00HSR Macau → Shenzhen
1.5h, ¥160
- 11:00Window of the World or Splendid China
Window of the World or Splendid China
- 13:00Shenzhen Museum
Shenzhen Museum
- 15:00Evening: Shenzhen Bay Park + departure
Evening: Shenzhen Bay Park + departure
Book this trip
All routes →Top sight tickets and any private drivers sell out first; everything else can wait until a week before.
If 7 days isn’t quite right
All routes →
Beijing essentials
Forbidden City · Great Wall · Temple of Heaven. For short stopovers.
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai
Imperial, ancient, and modern China on one HSR loop.
Beijing → Xi'an → Chengdu → Guilin → Shanghai
Adds Sichuan pandas and Li River karst.
Lock in the essentials before you fly
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Itinerary FAQ
How far in advance should I book the main sights?
Book the top restricted-access sight 7 days before, at midnight local time, via the official channel. Same-day tickets are not sold at most major sites.
Is 5 days too long for a first trip?
No — {n} days is the sweet spot. Three days covers the highlights but you will be exhausted. Five lets you add a day trip and an unhurried afternoon without rushing.
Can I do this itinerary without speaking Chinese?
Yes. Install Pleco (offline dictionary) and a translation app before you fly. Metro and attraction signage is in English in major cities; international-hotel staff speak English.
What's the worst time of year to run this exact route?
Golden Week (October 1–7) — every timed entry is impossible to get. Also avoid the Spring Festival rush (late Jan/Feb) and Labor Day (May 1–5). Mid-July to mid-August is hot and crowded with domestic travelers.
How much cash do I actually need?
Almost none. Alipay (linked to a foreign Visa/Mastercard) covers 95% of vendors. Carry ¥500–800 in cash as backup for small stalls. Tipping is not expected.
Is this route safe for solo travelers?
Yes. The main risk is traffic — e-bikes and scooters use sidewalks. Stay alert at intersections, especially outside Beijing/Shanghai where drivers may not stop. Solo female travelers report no issues.