Tao Xu
What's Inside This Guide?
I have been guiding travelers across the Pearl River Delta for over a decade. One thing I know for sure: most online itineraries for Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai are either too rushed or leave you stranded with no cash. My first time navigating from Hong Kong to Macau using only Alipay? A disaster. This guide is built from those mistakes.
Here is the bottom line: The best way to see all three cities in 7 days is to start in Hong Kong, take the TurboJET ferry to Macau, then cross the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) to Zhuhai. Book your HZMB shuttle bus tickets at least one day in advance via Trip.com — walk-up tickets often sell out.
Why This Itinerary Works
This plan balances city energy with cultural depth. You will avoid the midday heat at The Peak (go at 4 PM instead), skip overpriced Macau casinos (the free shuttles are faster), and discover Zhuhai's underrated islands. Each day includes a Plan B for rain because thunderstorms hit suddenly from May to September.
Day 1: Hong Kong - Arrival & Tsim Sha Tsui
Morning: Arrive at HKG & Octopus Card
Get an Octopus Card at the airport MTR counter. It works on buses, trains, and even at 7-Eleven. Pay with cash only — no international cards accepted. Then take the Airport Express to Kowloon Station (24 minutes, HK$115). From there, walk to your hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST).
Afternoon: Harbor Views & Art
Stroll the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Best photo spot: near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre at 4 PM for golden hour light. Visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art (free, closed on Thursdays). For dinner, head to Kwan Kee Clay Pot Rice (address: 15-19 Wo On Lane, Central). Expect a 20-minute queue — they don't take reservations. Pay with cash or Octopus.
Day 2: Hong Kong Island & The Peak
Morning: Central-Mid-Levels Escalator & Man Mo Temple
Start at the world's longest outdoor covered escalator. Ride it up, walk down. Visit Man Mo Temple (free, opens 8 AM-6 PM). Then take a taxi to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus (address: 33 Garden Road). Pro Tip: Buy your Peak Tram ticket online via Klook to skip the 30-minute queue. Ticket price: HK$88 return for adults.
Afternoon: The Peak & Plan B
At the top, walk the Circle Walk for free panoramic views. If it's rainy, visit the Peak Galleria shopping mall instead — it has a viewing deck under cover.
Day 3: Macau - Taipa & Cotai
Morning: Ferry to Macau
Take the TurboJET from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal to Macau's Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. Travel time: 1 hour. Book online at TurboJET.com.hk (HK$160-200). Have your passport ready for check-in.
Afternoon: Taipa Village & Cotai Strip
Explore Taipa Village for Portuguese egg tarts (try Lord Stow's Bakery, address: Rua do Tronco Velho). Then head to Cotai to see The Venetian Macau — even if you don't gamble, the gondola rides are fun. Insider Advice: Use the free shuttle buses between casinos to save taxi fare.
Day 4: Macau Peninsula Heritage
All Day: Ruins of St. Paul's & A-Ma Temple
Start early at Ruins of St. Paul's (free, open 24/7 but best before 10 AM). Walk downhill to Senado Square. Then take bus #18 to A-Ma Temple (free, 8 AM-5 PM). Warning: Many shops in the area don't accept international credit cards — carry MOP cash or use Alipay.
Day 5: Crossing to Zhuhai
Morning: HZMB Shuttle Bus
Take a taxi to Macau Port (about 20 minutes from the city center). Board the HZMB shuttle bus (MOP70, 40 minutes). You will arrive at Zhuhai Port. After immigration, take bus L1 to Gongbei Port area.
Afternoon: Zhuhai Fisher Girl & Lovers' Road
Rent a bike to ride along Lovers' Road (10 km coastal path). Visit the Zhuhai Fisher Girl statue (free). For dinner, try Zhuhai Seafood Street (address: Yingbin South Road). Order steamed fish and clams with garlic. Average cost: RMB 80-120 per person. Pay with WeChat Pay.
Day 6: Zhuhai - Culture & Nature
Morning: New Yuanming Palace
Visit this replica of Beijing's Old Summer Palace (address: 9 Lovers' Road, Gongbei; entrance RMB 100). Allow 2 hours. It's a huge park — wear comfortable shoes.
Afternoon: Plan B for Rain
If rainy, go to Zhuhai Museum (free, closed on Mondays) or the Huafa Mall for indoor shopping.
Day 7: Departure from Zhuhai
Fly out of Zhuhai Jinwan Airport (ZUH). Take Airport Bus from Gongbei (RMB 25, 1 hour). Or take the high-speed train from Zhuhai Station to Guangzhou South (1 hour, RMB 70) for more international flights.
Essential Tips for This Itinerary
| City | Payment Method | Navigation | Key Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Octopus Card, Cash | Google Maps works offline | Klook for attractions |
| Macau | MOP Cash, Alipay | Apple Maps reliable | Ferry via TurboJET |
| Zhuhai | WeChat Pay, Cash | Use AMap (Apple Maps also ok) | HZMB bus via Trip.com |
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision.
Traveling with two kids under 10 means crowds are a nightmare. This itinerary was a lifesaver. The tip to visit the Macau Science Center on a weekday afternoon? Genius—we had the whole place nearly to ourselves. Even the Hong Kong Disneyland rest day suggestion gave us time to explore Tai O without jostling. Everything flowed smoothly, zero complaints from the little ones. Five stars for stress-free family memories!
As a solo traveler, getting away from the masses was my top priority. This guide delivered. I especially appreciated the specific metro station exits and alternative ferry schedules—stuff you won't find on typical blogs. The Kowloon Walled City walk at 8am was eerily peaceful, and the Zhuhai fishing village route was a dream. I felt like a local, not a tourist. Absolutely worth it, planning my next trip with it already!
This itinerary changed our trip completely! We booked everything based on the 'anti-crowd' timings and it worked like magic. The early morning Ngong Ping 360 cable car? Empty. The Coloane hike in Macau? Felt like we had the island to ourselves. Even the Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom was chill on a Tuesday. Detailed, realistic, and saved us hours of queuing. Can't recommend enough! 5 stars.
A solid itinerary with some real hidden gems! Loved the morning hike in Dragon's Back (almost no one there) and the afternoon tea spot in Macau's Taipa Village. Only reason I'm not giving 5 is the first day felt rushed—we barely had time to settle before hopping onto the ferry. Also, the restaurant recommendations in Zhuhai were a bit off; one was closed for renovation. Still, a great base to tweak from.
Honestly, I was expecting more from a guide called 'Without the Crowds.' We followed it to the letter, and while Macau was manageable, Hong Kong's Victoria Peak was still a zoo even at the suggested 7am slot. The Zhuhai part was nice and quiet, but I felt like the ferry timings between cities could've been better explained. Saved us some planning time, but didn't completely solve the crowd issue. 3 stars.