Last updated on June 5th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
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Hong Kong is a fun city with lots to do, but there are also many nearby cities you can visit here.
In this blog post, I will narrow down the best weekend trips from Hong Kong. This guide will help you decide which cities in Asia you want to visit.
Let’s get started!
Weekend Trips from Hong Kong List
1) Shenzhen
Shenzhen is the closest destination. You can get there by train or car in about one hour.
The most common way for locals to get to Shenzhen is to take the MTR to Luo Wu Station. Walk a bit to pass through immigration, and you’ll arrive in Mainland China.
Shenzhen is a dazzling sight, and although the two cities are neighbours, you can immediately feel the difference when you’re there. The city is larger and cheaper than HK. It’s no wonder HK locals love to come here for a day trip!
It’s uncommon to hear of Hong Kongers going to Shenzhen in the morning and returning to Hong Kong at night.
The shopping, dining, and attractions will keep you busy and tire you out before you’ve barely started to explore the city.
2) Guangzhou
Guangzhou, like Shenzhen, is in the Guangdong province. Although this Chinese city is farther away from Shenzhen, it remains on this list because it’s close to Hong Kong.
Guangzhou isn’t discussed as much as Shenzhen.
The main difference is that Guangzhou is more traditional, while Shenzhen is more modern. It’s fascinating to see how quickly Shenzhen has developed over the past few years. On the other hand, Guangzhou feels older, like Shangxiajiu Street.
They’re similar because they are both among China’s biggest cities and are in Guangdong province.
You can take a flight there, but it’s only an hour. People usually opt to take a train or a bus, or drive there themselves. It’s a perfect weekend getaway from Hong Kong.
3) Shanghai
In my humble opinion, Shanghai is one of the best cities in China. Along with Beijing, Shanghai is a must-visit when you’re in China.
As one of China’s financial hubs, The Bund boasts an active nightlife and numerous dining options. It’s not hard to see why this city attracts so many visitors.
There is even a Disneyland in Shanghai, which is significantly larger than Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney fans should drop by, as it’s one of the largest Disney amusement parks. It will surely keep you occupied all day.
Shanghai is also not too far from Hengdian, where many Chinese dramas are filmed. Take a tour of Hengdian World Studios, and you might even meet your favourite Chinese celebrity filming!
4) Beijing
Does Beijing even require an introduction?
China’s capital city is home to world-famous sights, including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.
Compared to Shanghai, Beijing has a more traditional feel. History buffs will enjoy this big city, as numerous historic sights keep them entertained. If you’re more into shopping and prefer modern cities, Shanghai and Shenzhen will suit your taste better.
It is possible to travel from Beijing to Shanghai. By high-speed rail, it’s a 4.5-hour ride; by plane, it’s a 2.5-hour flight.
It might not seem like it until you set foot in the country, but China is HUGE, and the activities here are endless.
5) Taipei
Taipei is about a two-hour flight from Hong Kong. This city is probably best known for Taipei 101, pineapple cakes, and bubble tea. But do you know Taiwan also makes delicious fried chicken?
Foodies will surely love Taipei, with night markets all over the city. They open in the late afternoon and don’t close until around midnight. With dozens of night market options, you’ll never be hungry. It’s where you must go when you’re craving midnight snacks, but all the restaurants are already closed.
Day trips near Taipei are also pretty popular, as are Jiufen (my personal favourite) and Pingxi. You’ve probably seen pictures all over social media of the Pingxi Lantern Festival during the Chinese New Year and the red lanterns in Jiufen. Also, allegedly, Jiufen inspired the famous Japanese movie Spirited Away.
One of my travel tips is to visit Jiufen at night, when all the red lanterns are lit. It’s so beautiful, it took my breath away.
6) Macau
Macau is Asia’s Las Vegas. This city is known for its dazzling casinos.
When people visit Hong Kong, many also try to squeeze in a day trip to Macau because it’s easy to see the city in a day. People usually stay less than 24 hours when they’re in Macau.
It’s also travel-friendly, as you can take a ferry or a bus to Macau from Hong Kong in about an hour.
Even if you’re not a gambler, seeing the dozens of hotels with indoor shops is worth seeing. The Venetian is probably the most famous, where you can ride a gondola.
Macau has its fair share of tourist attractions, such as Senado Square and the Ruins of St.Paul. Plus, it has yummy food like pork chop buns and Portuguese tarts.
7) Bangkok
Bangkok is Thailand’s capital. With gorgeous architecture, its details will leave you in awe.
The outdoor markets, affordable shopping, street food, and party scene are all desirable to tourists, making Bangkok one of the most visited Asian cities.
Bangkok is relatively budget-friendly compared to cities like Singapore and Hong Kong, which are often considered more expensive. The only thing to note is that it gets pretty hot in the summer, so be prepared for the humidity.
Besides Bangkok, Thailand is also known for its beaches, so you might want to make a pit stop at Ko Samui and Phuket.
8) Hanoi
Hanoi is another affordable city within a short distance of Hong Kong. It’s only a two-hour flight from Hong Kong to Hanoi.
Not only is the capital of Vietnam a traditional city with numerous historic sights, but you’ll also be impressed by the variety of food options. You’ll be satisfied with their street food and authentic Vietnamese dishes, such as pho and banh mi.
While you’re there, be sure to try Vietnamese coffee. Their coffee culture is unlike any other. It’s vastly different than European and North American coffee you might be used to.
9) Ho Chi Minh
While Hanoi is better suited for those who want to understand better Vietnam’s history and culture, Ho Chi Minh City is also worth visiting.
Ho Chi Minh City is more cosmopolitan so that it will feel more international. Both cities have their strengths, so it all depends on what you want to see in Vietnam.
One more thing to know about Vietnam: motorbikes are everywhere. Witness it yourself firsthand by travelling to Ho Chi Minh!
10) Singapore
Singapore is a multicultural city and one of the most important cities in Asia.
In some ways, Singapore is similar to Hong Kong because it’s a densely populated city with hot weather and skyscrapers everywhere.
Except that Singapore is near the equator, so the temperature and humidity remain relatively constant throughout the year.
The mix of Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian cuisine makes Singapore a foodie’s paradise, with numerous hawker stalls.
Singapore is a bit more expensive, but it remains popular with tourists for its attractions, such as the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay.
It’s also won ‘world’s best airport’ multiple times.
11) Tokyo
Japan is always a top destination for Hong Kongers, so it’s no surprise it’s on the list of the best weekend trips from Hong Kong. There’s always enough in Japan to keep you busy, whether it’s the food, shopping, or tourist sights.
Those who haven’t visited Japan before might be interested in visiting Tokyo first. There’s the Shibuya crossing, which is the busiest crossing in the world, and other well-known districts like Shinjuku, Roppongi, and Harajuku (does anyone remember Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku perfumes back in the day?).
There’s also the famous seafood market, Tsukiji, and Mount Fuji near Tokyo. Mt. Fuji is a sight people associate with Japan, just as the Great Wall is with China.
Tokyo will satisfy all your wants and needs when it comes to Japanese food. There’s Japanese ramen, tempura, gyoza, sushi, katsu, and more!
Even if you don’t like sushi or sashimi, you can eat plenty of other things.
12) Osaka
Osaka is often overlooked compared to Japan’s capital, but it’s another popular tourist destination.
It’s more affordable and laid-back than Tokyo. It also has more cities nearby for a day trip, such as Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara.
When it comes to street food, Osaka is your place. You should try their Takoyaki, which are grilled Octopus balls. They’re famous for that.
If seafood isn’t your thing, there are still many other options. You will want to eat everything in sight, so be prepared to eat nonstop during your trip.
One important note is that Japan is one of the more expensive countries in Asia, so that’s something to consider if you have a strict budget.
If you have never been to Japan, you might want to visit Tokyo first, but Osaka is also a great city to explore. It’s where the K-pop girl group Twice’s Sana is from.
13) Seoul
Speaking of South Korea, Seoul is next on the list.
When people think of South Korea, the first city that comes to mind is Seoul, which has an estimated population of 10 million.
Korean culture has undergone significant growth in the past few years. Now, more than ever, people worldwide are into Korean fashion, K-dramas, K-pop, K-beauty, and even Korean food like Korean fried chicken and K-BBQ.
Seoul has several palaces that are worth visiting. In general, castles and palaces tend to be far away from the city. You need to plan your trip deliberately, but you can hop on the metro to reach Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Gyeonghuigung Palace. That’s five palaces in one city!
Another place to step back in time is Bukchon Hanok Village. There, you’ll find traces of history and can vividly imagine how people used to live.
If you have more time, it’s also worth visiting Busan, the country’s second-largest city, and Jeju Island.
With K-culture on the rise, people are flocking to Korea more now than ever. It’s a location you shouldn’t miss.
In addition, South Korea is a technically advanced country with one of the fastest networks in the world. Thus, you won’t have to scramble to find Wi-Fi or data.
14) Bali
So far, most places on this list are mostly big cities, but there are also destinations for those who prefer nature.
Like Bali, for example.
What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Bali?
It’s the beaches with blue water! But there are also temples, waterfalls, volcanoes, and jungles.
Those who prefer to spend time outdoors will have a fantastic time on the island. It’s the place to visit for a much-needed break from city life.
The sunsets and sunrises are beyond beautiful, and you won’t be able to stop taking photos to show your friends and family.
The weather is consistently warm. Depending on the year, it can get a tad chilly in Hong Kong during winter, so consider Bali if you need to escape the cold for a bit.
It is a little farther than other destinations on this list (HK to Bali is about a 5-hr flight), but it’s still possible to go to Bali on a quick weekend trip.
15) Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island. It has its own Big Buddha and is renowned for its stunning beaches with crystal-clear blue water.
It is one of the most visited cities in the country, and it’s a wonderful place for a quick beach getaway. Enjoy the sun at the beach, walk around town during the day, and continue into the night, where the nightlife is active. It’s paradise, the locals are friendly, and it’s affordable. Phuket deserves its name as one of the top Thai destinations, and it’s not hard to see why millions of people flock here each year.
This city is also slightly closer than Bali, being a four-hour flight from Hong Kong.
16) Chengdu
Pandas.
Enough said.
Chengdu is THE PLACE to see pandas, those adorable, fluffy bears, for their cute and clumsy personality.
The second reason people often visit here is the Sichuan cuisine. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, China, is known for its regional cuisine, including hotpot and spicy dishes.
You might think you can eat spicy food, but the level of spiciness is on another level here. The bold flavours will make you clutch your beverages like there is no tomorrow. Remember to take it slow if you can’t handle your spices, or go for the mildest spice level. You don’t want to be sick from pushing your limit too much.
Although Chengdu is not as famous as some other cities in China, since it’s not a first-tier city like Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing, or Shanghai, it’s a second-tier city that will continue to attract tourists for years to come.
Final Thoughts – Weekend Trips from Hong Kong
When planning your trip to Hong Kong, don’t forget to check out the nearby cities you can visit. You can get to most of these cities I’ve discussed in my blog post by direct flight. With cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Macau, you don’t even have to fly. You can drive and/or take a ferry to your destination.
Especially for those who have flown long distances to Asia, why not take some time to enjoy short trips as well?
All the weekend trip options from Hong Kong are great—it just depends on what you’re interested in.
Now to You – Weekend Trips from Hong Kong
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Xoxo,
Nicole
