South China’s Pearl River Delta region is one of the most interesting areas in the country for urban travellers — a cluster of distinct cities each with their own identity, connected by one of the world’s most efficient metro and high-speed rail networks. Adding Hong Kong and a Hainan beach tail makes a two-week itinerary that ranges from Cantonese food culture to colonial architecture to subtropical islands.
This itinerary works year-round but is best in October-April, when humidity drops and temperatures become comfortable (25-28°C in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, with Hainan staying warm throughout).
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
The Route
Guangzhou (3 days) → Foshan day trip → Shenzhen (2 days) → Hong Kong (3 days) → Macau day trip → Zhuhai (1 day) → Sanya/Hainan (3-4 days)
Total: 14 days. Fly into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, fly out of Sanya Phoenix International Airport.
Days 1-3: Guangzhou (广州)
Guangzhou is the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine — which most food scholars consider China’s most sophisticated regional food tradition. If you eat nothing else in China, eat in Guangzhou.
Day 1: Shamian Island + Pearl River evening cruise Shamian Island is a small island in the Pearl River that was formerly the British and French concession — the colonial-era buildings are intact and atmospheric. The island is quiet in the morning; good for a leisurely breakfast at one of the old building cafés.
Afternoon: The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠, ¥10) — a late Qing dynasty compound built by 72 Chen clans, now housing the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum. The decorative arts — ceramic ridges, wood carvings, iron castings — are extraordinary.
Evening: Pearl River night cruise (¥100-150) for illuminated city views.
Day 2: Dim Sum Culture Start with a proper morning yum cha (饮茶) session — Guangzhou restaurants open for dim sum from 6:30am. Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家) on Wenchangnan Road and Taotaoju (陶陶居) are the old institutions. Budget ¥80-120 per person for a proper dim sum session.
Qingping Market area for afternoon market exploration — the sprawling traditional market covers everything from dried seafood to herbs to live fish.
Evening: Walking around Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九步行街) area for Cantonese snacks.
Day 3: Foshan Day Trip Foshan (40 minutes by metro from Guangzhou) is where Cantonese folk culture is most intact. The Ancestral Temple of Foshan (佛山祖庙, ¥20) is a 900-year-old Taoist complex and the regional centre of lion dancing. The Nanfeng Ancient Kiln (南风古灶, ¥35) has been firing ceramics continuously for 500+ years.
High-speed train to Shenzhen (intercity metro or CRH, 30-60 minutes, ¥40-80).
Days 4-5: Shenzhen (深圳)
Shenzhen was a fishing village in 1979 — today it’s a city of 17 million people and one of the world’s major tech manufacturing and innovation centres. The contrast with Guangzhou’s historical depth is striking and deliberate.
Day 4: Futian District — Tech and Modernity Huaqiangbei (华强北) is the electronics market district and one of the most concentrated centres of consumer electronics in the world — multiple multi-story buildings selling everything from components and IC chips to finished consumer electronics at wholesale prices. Even if you’re not buying, it’s a fascinating window into how modern electronics supply chains actually work.
The OCT Loft (华侨城创意文化园) is a former factory compound converted into a creative district — galleries, design studios, and good coffee. More authentic than the tourist-polished versions elsewhere.
Day 5: Shenzhen Bay, Nanshan District + Departure Shenzhen’s newer Nanshan and Qianhai districts have striking contemporary architecture. The Shenzhen Bay Park coastal walk (free) gives views across to Hong Kong.
To Hong Kong: The easiest connection is the high-speed rail from Shenzhen North (深圳北) to West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong — 14 minutes, ¥85-100. You clear customs at Shenzhen North before boarding.
Days 6-8: Hong Kong
Hong Kong operates under a separate entry system — most nationalities can enter visa-free for 14-90 days (check your nationality’s specific allowance). The currency is Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), not RMB, though many establishments accept both.
Day 6: Kowloon — Tsim Sha Tsui and Temple Street Arrive at West Kowloon, check in. Walk the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade for the harbour skyline view. Avenue of Stars (free). Jordan area and Temple Street Night Market in the evening.
Day 7: Hong Kong Island — Victoria Peak and the Waterfront Morning: The Peak Tram (HKD 68 one way) to Victoria Peak for the cityscape view — arrive before the clouds come in (generally earlier in the day). Walk the Peak Circle Walk (free, 45 minutes) for different vantage points.
Afternoon: Sheung Wan and Western District — the dried seafood and herb shops of Bonham Strand, the 24-hour flower market in Sai Ying Pun, the Man Mo Temple (free).
Evening: The Wan Chai and Causeway Bay areas for evening food and energy.
Day 8: Macau Day Trip and Return Ferry from Hong Kong’s Outer Ferry Terminal (or Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal) to Macau (~1 hour, HKD 170-250). Macau is dominated by casinos but the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macau — the Portuguese colonial old town with the Ruins of St. Paul’s as its centrepiece — is genuinely interesting and walkable in 3-4 hours.
Return to Hong Kong by ferry in the afternoon.
Return to mainland China: Ferries from Hong Kong’s Skyline Ferry Terminal directly to Zhuhai and other Pearl River Delta cities (1-1.5 hours, ¥180-250). Or high-speed train back through Shenzhen.
Day 9: Zhuhai (珠海) — Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is China’s largest marine theme park and ranks among the world’s top theme parks by attendance. Entry is expensive (¥378-428 adult) but the scale is extraordinary — white beluga whales, whale sharks in a tank the size of an aircraft hangar, and polar regions display.
This is primarily for visitors with children or genuine enthusiasm for marine life/theme parks. For those without either, Zhuhai’s Lovers’ Road coastal walk and seafood restaurants are pleasant alternatives.
Flight from Zhuhai to Sanya (2 hours, ¥400-800) — or fly from Hong Kong or Shenzhen directly.
Days 10-13: Sanya/Hainan Island (三亚/海南)
Hainan Island is China’s tropical province — the beaches around Sanya at the island’s southern tip are genuinely good, with clear warm water and proper beach resort infrastructure.
Yalong Bay (亚龙湾): The most developed and well-maintained beach area, with a row of international resort hotels. Entry to the beach itself is free; the resort hotels have private beach sections.
Dadonghai Beach (大东海): More local in character, with Chinese-style beach activities (karaoke beach clubs, seafood restaurants right on the beach). Entry free.
Tianya Haijiao (天涯海角): Translates roughly as “End of the Earth” — a scenic coastal rock formation that has romantic significance in Chinese culture. Entry ¥90. More meaningful if you know the poetry.
Sanya food: The seafood here is excellent and reasonably priced. A full seafood dinner for two (fresh fish, clams, shrimp, local vegetables) costs ¥150-300 at a good restaurant in the Jiefang Road area.
Day 14: Departure from Sanya
Sanya Phoenix International Airport (三亚凤凰国际机场) has direct flights to most major Chinese cities and several international destinations.
Transport summary:
- Guangzhou–Foshan: Metro Line 2 or GZ-FS Intercity, ¥25-35
- Guangzhou–Shenzhen: Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail, ¥74 (30 min to Shenzhen North)
- Shenzhen–Hong Kong: High-speed rail Shenzhen North to West Kowloon, ¥85, 14 min
- Hong Kong–Zhuhai: Ferry, HKD 210-250, ~1 hour
- Zhuhai–Sanya: Flight, ¥400-800, 2 hours