Plan a China Tour from Hong Kong

Mike Clein
Nov 5 · 4 min read

As an international hub port, Hong Kong is usually chosen as the gateway to China by oversea tourists. Generally, 10 days — 14 days are sufficient for one to take in the most-visited highlights of the country. Starting from Hong Kong, there are a great number of travel destinations and routes for your choice. For clueless travelers planning their China tours 2020, you will be inspired and guided to make the most of your stay to fulfill a dreamy trip to China. And China tour starting in Hong Kong is a great start with many international flights connecting the world.

A panoramic view of Hong Kong seen from Victoria Peak
A panoramic view of Hong Kong seen from Victoria Peak
Panoramic View of Hong Kong on Victoria Peak

Apply for a Visa to Mainland China

So far, people from more than 170 countries could visit Hong Kong without a visa and stay for a period varying from 7 days to 180 days. For example, citizens of US, Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand could enjoy a stay of 90 days at most, and UK nationals could enjoy the longest stay for 180 days. However, you must apply for a visa in advance for an extension trip to mainland China. You can obtain it from either the consulates in your home country or the one in Hong Kong.

How to Travel from Hong Kong to Mainland China?

Hong Kong is endowed with very busy and convenient transportation networks of airlines, railways and ferry routes. International travelers would land Hong Kong by two means including airplane and cruise ship, while visitors going to Chinese Mainland could also opt for high-speed trains.

a. Flight

Flight is still the leading travel method that the majority of oversea travelers would choose. Hong Kong operates plenty of flights reaching the most parts of the world. After arrival, Hong Kong airport is also the best place for an air journey to Chinese mainland.

b. Ferry Service

As a port city, Hong Kong has well-connected ferry service to many coastal cities in south China, such as Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Dongguan, etc.

c. High-Speed Train

Now there are a series of high-speed train routes linking through Hong Kong and mainland. By bullet trains, you can reach more than 40 inland cities of China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Guilin, Kunming and Hangzhou.

Where to Start and End Your China Tour?

For tourist purpose, Guilin is very good point to kick start your adventure in China. Just in about 3 hours’ ride on a high-speed train, you can transfer yourself from Hong Kong to Guilin, the most iconic place of Chinese landscape. Moreover, Beijing and Shanghai are China’s two richest and biggest cities, which are usually the first stop of most China tours. You can choose either of them to start or conclude your adventure, with a great number of international flights for your choice.

Li River with Grotesque Karst Landscape along the banks

Top Destinations and Days of Stay

Two weeks are just adequate for you to cover the classics and essence of China. To make the most of your vacation, I’d like to recommend you a tour route that hundreds of western travelers had chosen before.

Routes: Hong Kong — Guilin — Chengdu — Xian — Beijing — Shanghai

Hong Kong: 3 days are fairly enough for you to recover from a long air journey, and explore the highlight of Hong Kong including Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, the Central, Mongkok and Aberdeen Fishing Village, plus a paradise-like shopping experience.

Guilin: Guilin deserves at least 2 days to showcase you its unrivaled natural beauty by an array of stunners like the poetic countryside of Yangshuo, Reed Flute Cave and also the enchanting Li River for a cruise.

Chengdu: 2 days in Chengdu will reward you with a lifetime chance to meet the endangered giant panda and even be a volunteer panda keeper for up-close interactions. Chengdu people would show you their unique life arts by their snack streets, hotpots and also mahjong club.

Giant Pandas
Giant Pandas
Cuddly giant pandas in the Chengdu Panda Base

Xian: It is recommended to spend 2 days in Xian to witness one of the world’s biggest archaeological discoveries, the Terracotta Army of the China’s first Qin dynasty, and also dig out the glorious history of Tang and Han dynasties by the abundant relics and monuments the city holds.

Beijing: You need 3 days to check out of the ancient capital’s most prestigious attractions like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. The historical hutong alleys and Olympic sites are worth a glance, too.

Shanghai: One day actually afford for a panorama of the glamorous Shanghai. You could sight-see the top picks like Nanjing Road, the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Xintiandi and French Concession in one go, but do plan one more day for your homeward flight.

Is a Yangtze Cruise Advisable?

Planning a Yangtze River Cruise is definitely a good idea to enrich your China tour 2020. A sightseeing cruise between Chongqing and Yichang would usually take up 4–5 days, so you might have to cut one or two other destinations (like Guilin and Chengdu) in the tour plan above. Or you could customize an itinerary according to your interests.

Recommended Routes: Hong Kong — Shanghai — Yichang — Chongqing — Xian — Beijing

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