Day trips from Hong Kong range from tranquil hikes on remote islands to group tours down boisterous casino strips. Whether you prefer wandering around nature reserves or fast cars and Chinese shopping sprees, these getaways from Hong Kong will get you out of the city.

AGODA EXTRA: Hong Kong contains more than 7 million people who live in almost 8,000 high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. The total combined height of the buildings equals more than 330 kilometers and makes HK the tallest urban agglomeration in the world. Still, almost 40 percent of HK’s territory is comprised of public parks and nature reserves.

1. Follow locals to China for tailored-made suits & cheap shopping in SHENZHEN

Jump on the Hong Kong MTR, and in less than an hour, you’ll discover why millions of HK locals flock to Shenzhen to shop. Known for incredibly cheap prices and talented tailors, Luohu Commercial City and The Mixc of Shenzhen City Crossing are located near the train station. Skip to the western part of the city to visit Coastal City, and on your way back to the train station, stop by COCO Park, Dongmen Pedestrian Street and Huaqiangbei & SEG Electronics Market.

Day trips from Hong Kong | Tips & Transport

Need a visa? Yes. Citizens from many countries can receive a 5-day visa on arrival when crossing the border from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. However, fees and rules vary from country to country, so check online or with a local travel agent before you set off. U.S. citizens who want to visit Shenzhen are advised to apply for a visa to China before arriving in Hong Kong.

How to get there? The East Line train from Hung Hom, Mong Kok East or Kowloon Tong will take you directly to Shenzhen. From Hung Hom, the journey takes about 45 minutes. Ferries also go to Shenzhen several times a day from Central Pier.

Check In to Shenzhen Sunon Hotel, Step Out to Luohu Commercial City

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2. See the two sides of GUANGZHOU, & go from supercharged to mellowed out in a matter of minutes

You won’t find a whole lot of peace and quiet in China’s third largest city, but you will find some of the country’s fastest cars and glitziest skyscrapers. And Guangzhou does still hold its fair share of natural, as well as historic, charms. Take a photo walk through the city’s port district known as Shamian Island to view the outlandish and remarkable architecture of more than 150 mansions, churches and government buildings. Take a stroll through Yuexiu Park, and uncover a legend at the Five-Ram Sculpture. The largest park in downtown Guangzhou, Yuexiu Park contains three lakes, the Guangzhou Museum (Zhenhai Tower), an amusement park, gym and several restaurants.

Day trips from Hong Kong | Tips & Transport

Do you need a visa? Yes. Guangzhou grants 72-hour, visa-free visits for citizens of more than 50 countries. Check online or with a Hong Kong travel agent to make sure you have everything in order before you board the train.

How to get there? Guangzhou is a two-hour direct train ride from Hung Hom Station in HK. Alternatively, you can opt for the train to Shenzhen, where you can board the high-speed train to Guangzhou.

Check In to White Swan Hotel, Step Out to Shamian Island

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3. Ante-up for Macanese food & a trip down THE COTAI STRIP in MACAU

If you love the bells and whistles of casinos, odds are you’ll love Macau and The Cotai Strip! The beauty about a day trip to Macau is that getting there is half the fun. Ferries run 24 hours a day to and from Macau, and the trip only takes about one hour. Besides slot machines and blackjack tables, Macau holds a flavorful reputation for its Macanese cuisine. That’s a bold and delectable combination of Cantonese and Portuguese, (topped with Macau for local recognition), if you’re wondering. Oh, and the colonial architecture, antique shops and the São Paulo Cathedral are pretty awesome things to see, too.

Day trips from Hong Kong | Tips & Transport

Need a visa? Probably not. As long as you have a passport that doesn’t expire in the next 6 months, you’re probably good to go in Macau. But there are a few regulations, so check online or with a Hong Kong travel agent before you buy your ferry tickets.

How to get there?

China Ferry Terminal: Accessible through Harbour City mall near the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station in Kowloon.

Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal: Accessible through Shun Tak Centre near the Sheung Wan MTR Station, near IFC Shopping Mall in Central Hong Kong.

Sky Pier: Tourists in transit can access the pier from Hong Kong International Airport.

Check In to The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Step Out to The Cotai Strip

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4. Hike through a mangrove forest and wetlands park at MAI PO NATURE RESERVE

With a little pre-planning, you can be birdwatching before brunch time at Mai Po Nature Reserve, where more than 90,000 birds take refuge each year. Tours of the marshes, wetlands and mangrove forests can be booked online through WWF-Hong Kong, an independent branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature. Packages vary by season and include educational experiences like walking through a mangrove forest on a “floating boardwalk” and harvesting gei wai (shrimp).

Day trips from Hong Kong | Tips & Transport

Need a visa? No. Mai Po Nature Reserve is located in northern Hong Kong.

How to get there? Take the train to Sheung Shui MTR Station, and catch Bus 76K for a 10-minute ride to Mai Po Bus Station. Your trek starts here! The entrance to Mai Po Nature Reserve is about a 20-minute hike from the bus station.

Check In to Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Hotel, Step Out to Mai Po Nature Reserve

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5. Attend one of the wackiest festivals in the world at CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND

Cheung Chau Island might be small, but its quirky history will leave a huge impression. Visit during the fourth lunar month (You’ll just have to Google that, but it’s usually sometime in May.) to attend the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. We’re talking bread buns here, and lots of ‘em. This week-long celebration was named in 2010 by TIME magazine as one of the Top 10 Quirky Local Festivals in the world. And it qualifies. The celebration includes a competition to climb a giant bun tower, a traditional parade and Taoist ceremonies at Pak Tai Temple, where the legend of the bun was born. If you miss the festival, you can focus on the more down-to-earth charisma of the island, like eating a fresh seafood dinner after a stroll down Pak She Praya Road or an excursion through a former pirate’s hideout at Cheung Po Tsai Cave.

Day trips from Hong Kong | Tips & Transport

Need a visa? No. If you’re in HK legally, you’re fine for Cheung Chau Island.

How to get there? Ferries run 24 hours a day from Central Ferry Pier No. 5. Ferry rides take 35 minutes to one hour, depending on whether or not you choose an express ferry.

Check In to Warwick Hotel Cheung Chau, Step Out to Pak Tai Temple

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