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Private route · 7 days
Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau: 7-Day Private Tour (2027)
See Hong Kong's harbour, Shenzhen's design and tech districts and Macau's historic centre, with the Hong Kong to Shenzhen and Shenzhen to Macau crossings spelled out.
- Duration
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Pace
- Moderate (2 of 4)
- Cities
- Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Macau
- Best for
- Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen, with border steps explained
Who it's for
This route suits travellers who want Hong Kong and Macau plus a modern mainland city, with the border steps spelled out and the afternoons kept light for a moderate pace. Hong Kong and Macau have their own entry rules, separate from mainland China; each crossing is a border check. You travel by high-speed rail from West Kowloon to Futian, then by private car from Shenzhen to Zhuhai and on foot into Macau through the Gongbei or Hengqin checkpoint.
The route
- 1. Hong Kong2 nights
- 2. Shenzhen2 nights
- 3. Macau2 nights
- Days 1–2Hong Kong2 nightsHigh-speed rail
- Days 3–4Shenzhen2 nightsPrivate car
- Days 5–7Macau2 nights
Highlights
- Victoria Peak, by Peak Tram or road
- The OCT Loft creative district in Shenzhen
- An evening at Senado Square in Macau
- A slow morning in the lanes of Taipa Village
Day by day
- Morning
Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport, where your private car takes you to the hotel. The rest of the day is left open for delayed flights.
AfternoonRest after the journey, with a short walk near the hotel if you feel like it.
EveningTake a relaxed walk along the Victoria Harbour waterfront, with the skyline across the water, and have an early dinner nearby.
- Morning
Head up Victoria Peak by Peak Tram or by road for the view over the harbour and the towers. Go early if you want clearer light and shorter queues.
AfternoonRest at the hotel through the middle of the day.
EveningStroll through a Kowloon street market, or follow the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade as the lights come on. Choose whichever suits your energy.
- Morning
Take the high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Shenzhen Futian, a short ride (indicative). The crossing is a border check, so keep your passport and any visa papers to hand. To enter mainland China, you need a mainland visa or eligible visa-free status. A private car meets you at Futian and takes you to the hotel.
AfternoonVisit the OCT Loft creative district at an easy pace, with its galleries, cafés and converted factory buildings.
EveningWalk along the Shenzhen Bay waterfront, then have dinner nearby.
- Morning
Visit the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning to explore the city's development, or take a walk around Civic Center if the museum is closed.
AfternoonRest at the hotel and recover before the evening.
EveningBrowse the Huaqiangbei electronics market if you like gadgets and crowds, or have a quiet dinner and an early night before tomorrow's border day.
- Morning
Your private car drives from Shenzhen to Zhuhai. You then cross on foot through the Gongbei or Hengqin border checkpoint into Macau, carrying your passport and luggage. Macau has its own immigration, so allow extra time in case the queue is long.
AfternoonA Macau-side private car meets you after the crossing and takes you to the hotel. Rest and settle in.
EveningKeep the evening light. Stroll to Senado Square for an easy dinner nearby, and walk up to the Ruins of St Paul's only if the crossing went smoothly and you still have energy.
- Morning
Wander the lanes of Taipa Village and stop for a Portuguese egg tart.
AfternoonRest first. In the late afternoon, visit either A-Ma Temple or the Guia Fortress viewpoint, depending on whether you prefer a working temple or a view over the city.
EveningHave a Macanese dinner, where Portuguese and Chinese cooking meet.
- Morning
Keep the morning free until your airport transfer. If your flight is later, there may be time for a relaxed breakfast or a short walk near the hotel.
AfternoonYour private car takes you to Macau International Airport at the time arranged for your flight, with time allowed for check-in and departure formalities.
EveningContinue onward or fly home, depending on your flight time.
When to go
October to December usually brings comfortable temperatures and relatively dry weather for walking. March and April are milder than summer but can be humid, foggy and rainy. Summers are hot and humid, and tropical cyclones can disrupt plans.
“I keep the border days light on purpose: passport and visa papers in your day bag, and nothing booked until after check-in, so a longer queue doesn't squeeze the day.”
Two ways to take this route
Same route. Travel on your own, or with a guide every day.
Independent
From $1,900 per person
We book hotels, high-speed trains and tickets, and you travel on your own with the LocalKey app. Add a private guide for the days you choose.
- Guide
- No full-time guide; add a guide for set times or sights
- Car
- On request
Private Guided
From $3,000 per person
Your own guide and private car throughout, so sights, meals and transfers are handled with you.
- Guide
- English-speaking private guide throughout
- Car
- Private car throughout
Included on both
- Hotels selected by us, confirmed by you, usually with breakfast
- Transport inside China: high-speed rail, domestic flights and transfers, including 12306 handling
- Entrance tickets for the sights in your itinerary
- Restaurant bookings made ahead where China requires it
- 24h WhatsApp / WeChat support while you travel, plus the LocalKey app
Not included
- International flights — we can book them on request, quoted separately
- Visa fees — many passports can enter China visa-free. Check your passport
- Personal spending and shopping
- Travel insurance
Make it yours
Keep the shape. Change the details.
Shorter or longer
Drop a stop for a shorter trip, or add a city or extra nights where you want more time.
Different hotels
Boutique, international brand or family rooms, in the area that suits your days.
Slower pace
An extra night in a city and fewer early starts.
Your interests
Food, photography, museums or kung fu, swapped into the free time.
Related itineraries
A few more starting points.
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- Private Guided
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- Private Guided
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Per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included. Upgraded hotels, extra car or guide time and special requests can raise the price. Your consultant sends a written quote before you pay anything. Reference prices for 2027 trips.
Start planning
Where would you like to begin in China?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A specialist replies within 24 hours with questions, then a written proposal; nothing is booked until you approve it.