Your First Trip to Hong Kong and Macau: A Four-Day Itinerary
Pre-Departure Checklist & Entry Requirements
1. Essential Travel Documents:
Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit: Apply for this permit at your local Public Security Bureau well in advance, confirming your endorsements are valid (one valid endorsement is needed for each of Hong Kong and Macau).
2. Other Preparations:
Currency: Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) / Macau Patacas (MOP). It's recommended to exchange currency at a bank beforehand. Many shops accept WeChat Pay, Alipay, and credit cards, so you won't need too much cash. Some smaller establishments in Hong Kong may prefer cash.
Internet: Activate international roaming or purchase a Hong Kong and Macau data package through Alipay or your mobile carrier's app.
Transportation Card: In Hong Kong, the "Octopus" card is highly recommended and available at subway stations. In Macau, you can use the "Macau Pass" or cash.
Adapters: Hong Kong uses the British three-pin plug, while Macau mostly uses two-pin round plugs.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui + Victoria Harbour Night View)
Morning: Cross the border from Shenzhen (e.g., Futian Port, West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station). Take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Activities: Walk the Avenue of Stars, explore K11 Musea, shop at Sasa and Harbour City.
Lunch: Enjoy a classic Hong Kong-style meal at a "Cha Chaan Teng" (tea restaurant) - try pineapple buns, Hong Kong milk tea, and wonton noodles.
Afternoon: Visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art/Space Museum → Take the Star Ferry to Central.
Evening: Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for stunning harbour views → Experience the nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong.
Day 2: Hong Kong (Disneyland/Ocean Park + Mong Kok)
Option A: Hong Kong Disneyland
Transportation: The Disneyland Resort Line connects directly. Purchase tickets in advance.
Must-Do: Grizzly Gulch, Hyperspace Mountain, and the nighttime Disney Paint the Night parade.
Option B: Ocean Park
Transportation: Take the South Island Line to Ocean Park Station.
Must-Do: Dolphin show, roller coasters, and the Grand Aquarium.
Evening: Explore the Mong Kok night market (Ladies' Market, Sneakers Street) → Have supper at Temple Street (claypot rice, curry fish balls).
Day 3: Hong Kong → Macau (Historical Center)
Morning: Take a ferry to Macau (TurboJET/Cotai Water Jet, about 1 hour, ticket price around HKD 160-200).
After customs, take a free hotel shuttle bus to the city center.
Afternoon: Explore Macau Peninsula: Ruins of St. Paul's, Love Lane, St. Dominic's Church, Senado Square.
Dinner: Yee Shun Milk Company (double-layered steamed milk) → Wong Chi Kei (shrimp wonton noodles).
Evening: View the night scenery at the Grand Lisboa Hotel → Enjoy the performance at the Wynn Palace Water Fountain.
Day 4: Macau (Cotai Strip + Departure)
Morning: Explore Cotai Strip: The Venetian Macao (gondola ride), The Parisian Macao (Eiffel Tower replica), and Taipa Village (buy souvenirs).
Lunch: Lord Stow's Bakery (Portuguese egg tarts) → Tai Lei Loi Kei (pork chop bun).
Afternoon: Visit the Taipa Houses-Museum → Depart (take a ferry to Shenzhen/Zhuhai port).
Food Recommendations:
Hong Kong
Cha Chaan Teng: Lan Fong Yuen (silk stocking milk tea), Australia Dairy Company (steamed milk).
Street Food: Sister Fai Siu Mei (cold cut skewers), Mammy Pancake (egg waffles).
Main Meals: Kau Kee Restaurant (beef brisket noodles), Under Bridge Spicy Crab (typhoon shelter crab).
Macau
Portuguese Cuisine: Tomato House (Portuguese baked rice), Restaurante Litoral (bacalhau balls).
Desserts: Mok Yi Kei (durian ice cream), Hon Heng Coconut (coconut ice cream).
Souvenirs: Koi Kei Bakery (almond cookies, pork jerky).
Transportation Guide:
Hong Kong:
The MTR (subway) covers the entire city. The Octopus card can be used for transportation and convenience store purchases.
Take the "Ding Ding" (tram) on Hong Kong Island to experience a vintage tram, fare is HKD 3.
Macau:
Free hotel shuttle buses (to and from the ferry terminal/airport/attractions). Bus fare is MOP 6 per ride, taxi starting price is MOP 19.
Budget Reference (Per Person):
- Transportation: HKD 800-1200 (including ferry tickets/subway)
- Accommodation: HKD 600-1000/night (3-star hotel)
- Dining: HKD 200-400/day
- Attractions: Disneyland adult ticket around ¥586 (weekend/holiday prices may vary) / Ocean Park around ¥458.
Accommodation Suggestions:
Hong Kong: Mong Kok/Jordan area for 3/4 star hotels (¥500-800). Tsim Sha Tsui for 4-star hotels (¥800-1500). The Peninsula/Ritz-Carlton (¥1500+).
Macau: Established hotels on Macau Peninsula, Sheraton/Galaxy on Cotai Strip.
Tips:
If you are on a budget, consider staying near Shenzhen border crossing (e.g., Futian) and crossing early the next day. In Macau, staying in Zhuhai (Hengqin Port) can be more cost-effective.
```