Todd

Can anyone recommend a daytrip from Hong Kong? I was thinking Macau but I really want to see mainland China - what's there to see within maybe 2 hours of HK? Thanks.

connie

You can get to Guanzhou by air or train in that time. We took the train and were so glad we did. The train was very nice, safe and relaxing. The best part is you get to see the country side.

Todd

What is there to do there?

Kay

I've taken day trip to Macau. Husband really liked the turbocat ride. Macau was interesting contrast to HK with the Portuguese architecture. We took a taxi to the old fort, then walked down through the center of town, along the water, to a maritime museum, shopped in antique shops, then took a taxi back to dock. We didn't want to go to the casinos.<BR><BR>I haven't been into China directly from HK.

veronica

I also recommend Macau rather than China

Connie

Guanzhou is much like other large cities in China and you said you wanted to see mainland China. That is the closest city.<BR><BR>Great restaurants, parks, fabulous hotels (China Hotel for one) and back alley shopping areas that are really neat to walk around in. You will probably be the only non asian there. You get a real feel for the Chinese people and their culture. <BR>

Larry

Todd- <BR>I have been to China 5 times in the past 9 months for business and in my opinion, there is not much to see on the mainland. The mainland near Hong Kong is very industrialized with many factories and much construction going on.<BR>I found a pleasant day trip from HK to be the Lin Po monastery on Lantau Island. There is the worlds largest sitting Budda statue and some beautiful scenery at the monastery. You can take a boat to the island and a bus to the monastery. Check with the Visitors center near the Star ferry terminal. They can make other recommendations for trips.

Mitch

Todd -<BR><BR>I am going to HK in April and had a similar thought about the mainland, but everyone I have spoken to has said told me - without prompting - that I MUST visit Macau. So don't write it off yet.

Lisa

I am also going to visit Hong Kong in april & looking for a day trip. From everything I'm reading & hearing, The BIG Buddah on Lantau Is. & the Monastary sounds great. There's also a 3000 ft. high hike by the Monastary for an extra bonus that sounds wonderful! Has anyone stayed at the Kowloon Hotel in Kowloon? It's behind the Pennisula & very reasonable. Would love some honest advise before I book it!

vt

I stayed there a year ago,very convenient,near MTR,ferry,Nathan road,has internet in room (not sure if regular room has one,I stayed in suite).Did not use spool or other facilities.One drawback is the room's size,very small.Hope this help.

Jen

If you like to eat out (both cheap and fancy), Macau is definitely a GREAT choice. Sightseeing front, there's enough historic and colonial area to fill your day in Macau. Feels like you're back 20 years in time... <BR>No, I won't recommend seeing the Casino though, it's not vegas, people don't go to those Casinos for vacation...

wundero

I much preferred Lantau to Macau. What should I go to see Portuguese architecture and Vegas-like casinos in China - both less good than the originals.The Lin Po Monastery and the sitting giant golden Buddha are most impressing and besides the landscape is beautiful, such as it used to be some 30 years ago in the New Territories North of Kowloon.

Jen

true, I guess it really depends on what your preference is. Both places (Lantau and Macau) are worth visiting. The Outdoor Buddha is definitely impressive. I just personally find Po Lin Temple getting more and more commercialized compare to some other local temples. <BR>As for Macau, the Portugese community is part of it's history too. They've been there for 400 years afterall. <BR>Oh, but the Casinos,I do not recommend going inside the Casinos, simply because people there are mostly serious gambler, unlike Vegas where people go with a holiday mood..

Michael From New York

No one has mentioned two islands right near HK - Cheng Chau and Lamma.<BR><BR>Both islands are free of automobiles and are reached by ferry's from central in about an hour. Both islands have beaches. Lamma has restaurants right in the village of Yung Shue Wan which is steps from the ferry. Cheng Chau is a vibrant community complete with business, restaurants, and even the sampan water taxis. Very charming.<BR><BR>Here's the main differential for me. The ferries to Cheng Chau and Lamma are open meaning you get a sense of being on the water and you can walk arounmd on the boats, whereas the high speed turbo cats that take you to Macau are not built for tourists. They are high speed commuters. They have airplane style reserved seats, and you can't really walk around on them. On top of that, you have to clear immigration and customs in leaving HK, entering Macau, then leaving Macau, and entering HK.<BR><BR>I crossed the border at Lo Wu in the New Territories and entered China into Shenzhen. And yes, you do need a visa to go into Shenzhen. Shenzhen is a big city with towering skyscrapers buildings in every direction. <BR><BR>Shenzhen does have an interesting attraction called Windows Of the World. It is a theme park, has a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower, and otyher assorted famous world landmarks. Might be fun for a sightseer.<BR><BR>Many people go there to shop, and the prices are much lower than HK. If you go on the wekends be prepare for long lines and likely you won't get a seat on the train either (About an hr from Kowloon Tong which is an MTR stop).<BR><BR>Fortunately we left Shenzhen by bus and headed out to a resort area west of Shenzhen by a lake. We stayed at a hotel which was actually a training center for the Bank of China and went to a riding academy for riding horses on saturday and Sunday. <BR><BR>I have a onepage write-p with pictures and a map if anyone wants to get a feel for crossing the border. Just post a request here. By the way, we did enjoy our weekend in the countryside.<BR><BR>Michael From New York

Map

Definitely pick one of the outlying islands. The Buddha is worth a visit. It's quite tranquil, which is a nice break from the hustle and bustle. When you purchase the ticket at the gate, you can buy the lunch package as well. It's Chinese vegetarian meal served in the monatery cafeteria, I thought it was very interesting. I've heard there are hikes in the outlying islands, I've never tried it, but others who have tried it loved it. Here's a link on some of the hikes and the Big Buddha http://www.tripeze.com/repositories/archives/featureArticles/01_10_31.jhtml<BR><BR>I personally would stay away from Shenzhen. There's the theme park Michael from New York mentioned, which is alright. But the process of going through the Chinese customs and finding transportation to get there was not very pleasant for me. A lot of begging on the street. It's kind of like Tijuana, you cross the border from LA and you're in a whole different (and not too pleasant) world. For one day, I would skip the hassles and go the islands.

Danish chick

having lived in Hong Kong for half a year I did many day trips - and they are all recommmendable as they all give you something different. All of them have been mentioned above i.e. Macau, Shenzen, Lantau - but I would just like to add that they are all worth seeing. Another really GREAT thing to do is to go for a hike in New Territories. It is really beautiful and peaceful - compared to HK centre, anyway. But like any place - be prepared for crowds in the weekends - the Chinese love to go hiking and BBQing in the weekends.<BR>HAVE A GREAT TRIP! Hong Kong - and its surroundings - is a very special place!

Ursula

Did a two-days trip myself years ago to Guangzhou by train and found it quite interesting, because you get to see some of the countryside. Train was great (some 3 hours). Went also to Foshan (?) to visit some handycraft places. Stayed at China Hotel as well and at that time, there were only a few tourists around. Nothing in English at time and without our nice Chinese guide who spoke perfect German, we would have been kind of lost. But again, that was about 10 years ago. It might have changed in the meantime.