![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2014\/09\/DSC_0762.jpg\")
<\/a>Welcome to Hong Kong.<\/p><\/div>\n
Start your trip off with a few days exploring the many different faces of Hong Kong. Whether you\u2019re into history, culture, outdoor activities, shopping, or just wining and dining, you\u2019ll find something in this former British colony and current SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China. Many who visit Hong Kong and the mainland find the two to be like night and day. For first time visitors to China, a few days in HK is a good buffer to get you ready for the madness ahead \u2013 the city is a mix of East and West and a bit more, shall we say \u201ccivilized\u201d than the rest of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time to visit Hong Kong, Kowloon, and at least one of the surrounding islands. Lantau is an easy day trip and has plenty to keep you busy.<\/p>\n
Macau (\u6fb3\u95e8 – \u00c0o m\u00e9n)<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2015\/11\/1-Macau20-001.jpg\")
<\/a>Historical Center of Macau<\/p><\/div>\n
Macau is known as\u00a0\u201cVegas of the Orient\u201d for its abundance of casinos that bring busloads of mainland tourists in every day to try their luck at the only place with legal gambling in China. Although Macau is best-known for these massive casinos, there\u2019s a whole other side to this city showcasing its history as a former Portuguese colony. It’s a fascinating place to spend a few days seeing both sides of the city. Walk to the Fortaleza do Monte (Mount Fort), which was originally constructed to defend from pirates. It is now home to the Museum of Macau where you can learn about the culture and history of the city. From the fort, you can enjoy one of the best (and free) views of the city, which is the most densely populated place on Earth. Also, make sure you try some of the local specialties such as a pork bun and the delectable egg tarts.<\/p>\n
Zhuhai (\u73e0\u6d77 – zh\u016bh\u01cei)<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2015\/05\/Zhuhai-001.jpg\")
<\/a>Spend one day in Zhuhai.<\/p><\/div>\n
After exploring the SARs, it’s time to venture into the mainland. From Macau, your best bet is the city of Zhuhai. There’s not a whole lot to do here, but it’s a pleasant place to spend a day before moving on. You can take a walk on the beach past the famous Fisher Girl statue, feast on fresh seafood at a bustling night market, and grab a drink at a local bar before retreating to your hostel. There’s still a lot more to see and do on this South China adventure!<\/p>\n
Shenzhen (\u6df1\u5733 \u2013 sh\u0113n zh\u00e8n)<\/h2>\n![\"Shenzhen](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2014\/10\/shenzhen-from-above.jpg\")
<\/a>Shenzhen from above.<\/p><\/div>\n
Next up, you can hop on a ferry and head over to Shenzhen. When you arrive, you may find it hard to believe that this place was a mere fishing village some 30 years ago<\/a>. Back in 1979, the Chinese government decided to make Shenzhen a \u201cspecial economic zone\u201d due to its proximity to Hong Kong. Fast forward a few decades, and it\u2019s a bustling metropolis with a population of nearly 15 million. If you\u2019ve got a few days to spend here, you can balance your time visiting some of the cool theme parks like \u201cSplendid China<\/a>,\u201d shopping for cheap electronics, feasting on tons of delicious food, and hitting a bar or two in the evenings. From here, you have tons of options for continuing your journey by train or bus.<\/p>\nGuangzhou (\u5e7f\u5dde \u2013 gu\u01ceng zh\u014du)<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2014\/12\/Guangzhou2.jpg\")
<\/a>Dim sum in Guangzhou.<\/p><\/div>\n
Guangzhou<\/a> is the third largest city in China and the capital of Guangdong province. It’s also commonly referred to as Canton, and yes Cantonese<\/a> is still the local language. Although many travelers seem content to simply see the train or bus station here, there\u2019s more than enough to do here to warrant sticking around for at least a day. Wake up to a dim sum brunch, then take a few hours to stroll along the peaceful streets of\u00a0Shamian island\u00a0<\/strong>(\u6c99\u9762\u5c9b \u2013 Sh\u0101 mi\u00e0n d\u01ceo), part of the former British and French concession. Hit a temple or museum in the afternoon for your culture fix, and then hop on the subway to go see the new city and the impressive Canton Tower. If you\u2019re getting sick of terrible Chinese beer, you\u2019re in luck in Guangzhou \u2013 head to the Strand Cafe for delicious imported brews and craft beer on tap that\u2019s made locally.<\/p>\nXiamen (\u53a6\u95e8 \u2013 xi\u00e0 m\u00e9n)<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2015\/01\/DSC_0936.jpg\")
<\/a>A view of the Xiamen skyline.<\/p><\/div>\n
From Guangzhou, you can catch a sleeper train to get to the coastal city of Xiamen. Also an SEZ, this city has flourished thanks to its tourism industry and Taiwanese investments over the years. Kick back on the beach, munch on fresh seafood, wander around night markets, and take a day to explore the small island\u00a0Gulangyu<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9f13\u6d6a\u5c7f \u2013 g\u01d4 l\u00e0ng y\u01d4), which is free of motorized vehicles and just a short ferry ride away. Xiamen is often touted as one of the most livable cities in China, so if you’re thinking about moving here it might be a place you’ll want to consider. The main reason for visiting Xiamen on this trip, however, is its proximity to the next destination.<\/p>\nTulou Villages of Fujian (\u798f\u5efa\u571f\u697c \u2013 f\u00fa ji\u00e0n t\u01d4 l\u00f3u)<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2015\/01\/Tulou7.jpg\")
<\/a>Exploring the tulou of Chuxi.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Historical Center of Macau<\/p><\/div>\n
Macau is known as\u00a0\u201cVegas of the Orient\u201d for its abundance of casinos that bring busloads of mainland tourists in every day to try their luck at the only place with legal gambling in China. Although Macau is best-known for these massive casinos, there\u2019s a whole other side to this city showcasing its history as a former Portuguese colony. It’s a fascinating place to spend a few days seeing both sides of the city. Walk to the Fortaleza do Monte (Mount Fort), which was originally constructed to defend from pirates. It is now home to the Museum of Macau where you can learn about the culture and history of the city. From the fort, you can enjoy one of the best (and free) views of the city, which is the most densely populated place on Earth. Also, make sure you try some of the local specialties such as a pork bun and the delectable egg tarts.<\/p>\n
Zhuhai (\u73e0\u6d77 – zh\u016bh\u01cei)<\/h2>\n<\/a>Spend one day in Zhuhai.<\/p><\/div>\n
After exploring the SARs, it’s time to venture into the mainland. From Macau, your best bet is the city of Zhuhai. There’s not a whole lot to do here, but it’s a pleasant place to spend a day before moving on. You can take a walk on the beach past the famous Fisher Girl statue, feast on fresh seafood at a bustling night market, and grab a drink at a local bar before retreating to your hostel. There’s still a lot more to see and do on this South China adventure!<\/p>\n
Shenzhen (\u6df1\u5733 \u2013 sh\u0113n zh\u00e8n)<\/h2>\n<\/a>Shenzhen from above.<\/p><\/div>\n
Next up, you can hop on a ferry and head over to Shenzhen. When you arrive, you may find it hard to believe that this place was a mere fishing village some 30 years ago<\/a>. Back in 1979, the Chinese government decided to make Shenzhen a \u201cspecial economic zone\u201d due to its proximity to Hong Kong. Fast forward a few decades, and it\u2019s a bustling metropolis with a population of nearly 15 million. If you\u2019ve got a few days to spend here, you can balance your time visiting some of the cool theme parks like \u201cSplendid China<\/a>,\u201d shopping for cheap electronics, feasting on tons of delicious food, and hitting a bar or two in the evenings. From here, you have tons of options for continuing your journey by train or bus.<\/p>\nGuangzhou (\u5e7f\u5dde \u2013 gu\u01ceng zh\u014du)<\/h2>\n<\/a>Dim sum in Guangzhou.<\/p><\/div>\n
Guangzhou<\/a> is the third largest city in China and the capital of Guangdong province. It’s also commonly referred to as Canton, and yes Cantonese<\/a> is still the local language. Although many travelers seem content to simply see the train or bus station here, there\u2019s more than enough to do here to warrant sticking around for at least a day. Wake up to a dim sum brunch, then take a few hours to stroll along the peaceful streets of\u00a0Shamian island\u00a0<\/strong>(\u6c99\u9762\u5c9b \u2013 Sh\u0101 mi\u00e0n d\u01ceo), part of the former British and French concession. Hit a temple or museum in the afternoon for your culture fix, and then hop on the subway to go see the new city and the impressive Canton Tower. If you\u2019re getting sick of terrible Chinese beer, you\u2019re in luck in Guangzhou \u2013 head to the Strand Cafe for delicious imported brews and craft beer on tap that\u2019s made locally.<\/p>\nXiamen (\u53a6\u95e8 \u2013 xi\u00e0 m\u00e9n)<\/h2>\n<\/a>A view of the Xiamen skyline.<\/p><\/div>\n
From Guangzhou, you can catch a sleeper train to get to the coastal city of Xiamen. Also an SEZ, this city has flourished thanks to its tourism industry and Taiwanese investments over the years. Kick back on the beach, munch on fresh seafood, wander around night markets, and take a day to explore the small island\u00a0Gulangyu<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9f13\u6d6a\u5c7f \u2013 g\u01d4 l\u00e0ng y\u01d4), which is free of motorized vehicles and just a short ferry ride away. Xiamen is often touted as one of the most livable cities in China, so if you’re thinking about moving here it might be a place you’ll want to consider. The main reason for visiting Xiamen on this trip, however, is its proximity to the next destination.<\/p>\nTulou Villages of Fujian (\u798f\u5efa\u571f\u697c \u2013 f\u00fa ji\u00e0n t\u01d4 l\u00f3u)<\/h2>\n<\/a>Exploring the tulou of Chuxi.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Spend one day in Zhuhai.<\/p><\/div>\n
After exploring the SARs, it’s time to venture into the mainland. From Macau, your best bet is the city of Zhuhai. There’s not a whole lot to do here, but it’s a pleasant place to spend a day before moving on. You can take a walk on the beach past the famous Fisher Girl statue, feast on fresh seafood at a bustling night market, and grab a drink at a local bar before retreating to your hostel. There’s still a lot more to see and do on this South China adventure!<\/p>\n
Shenzhen (\u6df1\u5733 \u2013 sh\u0113n zh\u00e8n)<\/h2>\n<\/a>Shenzhen from above.<\/p><\/div>\n
Next up, you can hop on a ferry and head over to Shenzhen. When you arrive, you may find it hard to believe that this place was a mere fishing village some 30 years ago<\/a>. Back in 1979, the Chinese government decided to make Shenzhen a \u201cspecial economic zone\u201d due to its proximity to Hong Kong. Fast forward a few decades, and it\u2019s a bustling metropolis with a population of nearly 15 million. If you\u2019ve got a few days to spend here, you can balance your time visiting some of the cool theme parks like \u201cSplendid China<\/a>,\u201d shopping for cheap electronics, feasting on tons of delicious food, and hitting a bar or two in the evenings. From here, you have tons of options for continuing your journey by train or bus.<\/p>\nGuangzhou (\u5e7f\u5dde \u2013 gu\u01ceng zh\u014du)<\/h2>\n<\/a>Dim sum in Guangzhou.<\/p><\/div>\n
Guangzhou<\/a> is the third largest city in China and the capital of Guangdong province. It’s also commonly referred to as Canton, and yes Cantonese<\/a> is still the local language. Although many travelers seem content to simply see the train or bus station here, there\u2019s more than enough to do here to warrant sticking around for at least a day. Wake up to a dim sum brunch, then take a few hours to stroll along the peaceful streets of\u00a0Shamian island\u00a0<\/strong>(\u6c99\u9762\u5c9b \u2013 Sh\u0101 mi\u00e0n d\u01ceo), part of the former British and French concession. Hit a temple or museum in the afternoon for your culture fix, and then hop on the subway to go see the new city and the impressive Canton Tower. If you\u2019re getting sick of terrible Chinese beer, you\u2019re in luck in Guangzhou \u2013 head to the Strand Cafe for delicious imported brews and craft beer on tap that\u2019s made locally.<\/p>\nXiamen (\u53a6\u95e8 \u2013 xi\u00e0 m\u00e9n)<\/h2>\n<\/a>A view of the Xiamen skyline.<\/p><\/div>\n
From Guangzhou, you can catch a sleeper train to get to the coastal city of Xiamen. Also an SEZ, this city has flourished thanks to its tourism industry and Taiwanese investments over the years. Kick back on the beach, munch on fresh seafood, wander around night markets, and take a day to explore the small island\u00a0Gulangyu<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9f13\u6d6a\u5c7f \u2013 g\u01d4 l\u00e0ng y\u01d4), which is free of motorized vehicles and just a short ferry ride away. Xiamen is often touted as one of the most livable cities in China, so if you’re thinking about moving here it might be a place you’ll want to consider. The main reason for visiting Xiamen on this trip, however, is its proximity to the next destination.<\/p>\nTulou Villages of Fujian (\u798f\u5efa\u571f\u697c \u2013 f\u00fa ji\u00e0n t\u01d4 l\u00f3u)<\/h2>\n<\/a>Exploring the tulou of Chuxi.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Shenzhen from above.<\/p><\/div>\n
Next up, you can hop on a ferry and head over to Shenzhen. When you arrive, you may find it hard to believe that this place was a mere fishing village some 30 years ago<\/a>. Back in 1979, the Chinese government decided to make Shenzhen a \u201cspecial economic zone\u201d due to its proximity to Hong Kong. Fast forward a few decades, and it\u2019s a bustling metropolis with a population of nearly 15 million. If you\u2019ve got a few days to spend here, you can balance your time visiting some of the cool theme parks like \u201cSplendid China<\/a>,\u201d shopping for cheap electronics, feasting on tons of delicious food, and hitting a bar or two in the evenings. From here, you have tons of options for continuing your journey by train or bus.<\/p>\n Dim sum in Guangzhou.<\/p><\/div>\n Guangzhou<\/a> is the third largest city in China and the capital of Guangdong province. It’s also commonly referred to as Canton, and yes Cantonese<\/a> is still the local language. Although many travelers seem content to simply see the train or bus station here, there\u2019s more than enough to do here to warrant sticking around for at least a day. Wake up to a dim sum brunch, then take a few hours to stroll along the peaceful streets of\u00a0Shamian island\u00a0<\/strong>(\u6c99\u9762\u5c9b \u2013 Sh\u0101 mi\u00e0n d\u01ceo), part of the former British and French concession. Hit a temple or museum in the afternoon for your culture fix, and then hop on the subway to go see the new city and the impressive Canton Tower. If you\u2019re getting sick of terrible Chinese beer, you\u2019re in luck in Guangzhou \u2013 head to the Strand Cafe for delicious imported brews and craft beer on tap that\u2019s made locally.<\/p>\n A view of the Xiamen skyline.<\/p><\/div>\n From Guangzhou, you can catch a sleeper train to get to the coastal city of Xiamen. Also an SEZ, this city has flourished thanks to its tourism industry and Taiwanese investments over the years. Kick back on the beach, munch on fresh seafood, wander around night markets, and take a day to explore the small island\u00a0Gulangyu<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9f13\u6d6a\u5c7f \u2013 g\u01d4 l\u00e0ng y\u01d4), which is free of motorized vehicles and just a short ferry ride away. Xiamen is often touted as one of the most livable cities in China, so if you’re thinking about moving here it might be a place you’ll want to consider. The main reason for visiting Xiamen on this trip, however, is its proximity to the next destination.<\/p>\n Exploring the tulou of Chuxi.<\/p><\/div>\nGuangzhou (\u5e7f\u5dde \u2013 gu\u01ceng zh\u014du)<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Xiamen (\u53a6\u95e8 \u2013 xi\u00e0 m\u00e9n)<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Tulou Villages of Fujian (\u798f\u5efa\u571f\u697c \u2013 f\u00fa ji\u00e0n t\u01d4 l\u00f3u)<\/h2>\n
<\/a>