Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Macau
For me, South China is mainly this axis: Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Macau. Internationally, the region is often discussed as the Greater Bay Area, linking the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau with major cities in Guangdong.
For travellers from Europe, Hong Kong can be a very easy starting point. International flights are often convenient, the city is accessible, and from there you can continue directly to Shenzhen and mainland China. At the same time, flying straight into Shenzhen can also make sense, especially if the fare is good and you want to start with mainland China first.
Via Hong Kong to Shenzhen
If you fly into Hong Kong, you can first spend time in the city and then continue to Shenzhen. Rail connections and border crossings such as Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau are practical. You travel to the boundary, pass exit and entry checks, and then continue on the Shenzhen side.
The important point: Hong Kong and mainland China are closely connected in practice, but crossing between them still involves real immigration and passport control.
Directly to Shenzhen
Shenzhen can also be a strong starting point. If you find a good fare, you land directly in one of China's most important technology cities and can later continue to Hong Kong or Guangzhou. Depending on route and price, this can be just as practical or even cheaper than starting in Hong Kong.
I would always compare both options: flights to Hong Kong and flights to Shenzhen.
Connecting Hong Kong and Macau
Hong Kong and Macau are easy to combine. The classic option is the ferry. Another major link is the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge, a long bridge and tunnel connection across the Pearl River Delta. It connects Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai and makes the region feel even more like one connected travel area.
There is also a helicopter service, but that is more of a special and expensive option. For normal travellers, ferries, buses over the bridge or organised transfers are the more obvious choices.
Hong Kong 香港
Skyline, harbour, metro, markets, hills and an easy international entry point. Hong Kong is ideal if you want to start China in a slightly more familiar way.
Shenzhen 深圳
Technology, electronics, startups, modern urban planning and speed. Shenzhen is one of the most interesting cities for understanding China today.
Guangzhou 广州
Guangzhou is a major city of Cantonese culture, trade and food. It is very easy to reach from Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Macau 澳门
Macau is small, dense and distinctive: Portuguese traces, casinos, old streets, food and a completely different urban feeling from Hong Kong or Shenzhen.
What Shenzhen is known for
Shenzhen is not just a large city next to Hong Kong. It stands for modern Chinese technology, hardware, speed and entrepreneurship. If dancing robots, drones or new electric vehicles appear somewhere, Shenzhen feels like the right stage.
- Huawei: one of China's best known technology companies is based in Shenzhen.
- BYD, Tencent and DJI: Shenzhen is closely linked with electric vehicles, internet services, drones and hardware.
- Huaqiangbei: a famous electronics district and a symbol of China's hardware ecosystem.
- Special Economic Zone: Shenzhen stands for China's opening up, growth and speed since the 1980s.
- Modern urban planning: metro lines, skyscrapers, parks, malls and new districts often feel very futuristic.
My South China route idea
For a first visit, I would keep the route simple: Hong Kong as the international entry point, Shenzhen for a look at China's technology present, Guangzhou for food and Cantonese culture and, if there is still time, Macau as a short side trip.
If you do it the other way round and fly directly into Shenzhen, you do not miss anything. Hong Kong can come at the beginning or at the end. The important point is that this region works best when you combine several cities.
Chinese names for maps and apps
For maps, Didi, Amap, Baidu Maps or hotel searches, the Chinese names are useful. Especially in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, places are often easier to find if you can copy the characters.
- Hong Kong: 香港
- Shenzhen: 深圳
- Guangzhou: 广州
- Macau: 澳门
- Huaqiangbei: 华强北
Important: Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China are close on the map, but they have separate border checks and passport controls. Check your passport and current entry requirements before planning the route.
Personal tip
Do not just tick off Hong Kong. The more interesting trip starts when you combine Hong Kong with Shenzhen: skyline, harbour and metro first, then the border crossing, mainland China, a technology city and a completely different pace.
Do not underestimate Shenzhen. At first glance the city can feel very new, but that is exactly the point. Few places show modern, digital and fast moving China as clearly as Shenzhen.
Plan Macau as a day trip. If you visit Hong Kong, Macau works very well as an extra trip. Ferry connections, the bridge link, the old town, food and a completely different city mood make Macau one of the best additions to South China.
Plan the practical side
For this region, it helps to plan arrival and onward travel together: first compare flights, then decide whether Hong Kong, Shenzhen or Guangzhou is the better starting point.