How to Plan a China and Hong Kong Tour: The Ultimate Guide for 2026

Written by Natalia | Updated October 29,2025

Hong Kong is a major city of China and Asia. You might know of it as an economic trade center, but it’s much more than that. It is a vibrant metropolis with exciting urban culture as well as traditions. You will find modern skyscrapers, an impressive skyline, world-class malls, as well as historic fishing villages, religious structures, and beautiful beaches.

It’s an excellent idea to go on a China and Hong Kong tour to observe authentic Chinese culture and experience the local life. You can start your China tour from Hong Kong as it’s a major gateway city with a great transportation network connecting international ports. Here’s an ultimate guide on how to plan a Hong Kong-China tour.

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• Why a Mainland of China and Hong Kong Tour?
• Visa Requirements for Hong Kong & China
• Best Time to Visit Hong Kong & China
• How to Travel Between Hong Kong and the Mainland of China
• Best Places to Visit on a Hong Kong–China Tour
• Local Currency: How to Pay in Hong Kong & Mainland of China
• How Many Days for a Hong Kong-China Tour?
• Tips for Planning a Smooth Hong Kong-China Trip
• FAQs on Planning a China and Hong Kong Tour
• Plan Your Hong Kong-China Tour with China Xian Tour

Why a Mainland of China and Hong Kong Tour?

• Convenient entry: Hong Kong is a great gateway city for traveling to China because it is well-connected with other major cities around the world. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has direct flights to and from cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver in North America, London, Paris, Munich in Europe, and Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok in Asia.
• Visit a wide range of attractions: Due to its unique location and history, Hong Kong has many places to visit that are quite different from those in the mainland. They reflect different cultural and historical background. Visiting both Hong Kong and mainland of China will give you a more comprehensive travel experience.
• Experience different lifestyles: Different cultures and landscapes also result in differences in lifestyles. You will encounter traditions unique to each region on a China and Hong Kong tour.

Visa Requirements for Hong Kong & China

Visa requirements differ for Hong Kong and mainland of China. Citizens from over 170 countries and territories can travel to Hong Kong without a visa for 14, 30, or even 90 days.

The mainland of China also has a series of visa-free policies. Check if you meet the requirements before applying for a visa:

• 30-Day Visa-Free Policy applies to travelers from 48 countries.
• 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy allows citizens from 55 countries to transit through China without a visa.

These are the most common options for a China and Hong Kong tour without a visa. If you’re not eligible, you need to apply for a Chinese visa.

Best Time to Visit Hong Kong & China

The best time to visit Hong Kong is between October and the next April. Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with temperate weather for most of the year. It’s best to avoid traveling in the summer as it can get pretty hot and humid. Chances for typhoons or thunderstorms may also be high. But the rest of the year the city sees mild weather conditions and temperatures for outdoor activities.

The best time to travel to mainland of China varies depending on your destination. Generally, spring and autumn offer the most beautiful sceneries and travel experiences. Although winters may not be so severe in Hong Kong, some regions in mainland of China can get pretty frigid.

Apart from the weather conditions, you should also consider the tourism traffic when planning your Hong Kong-China tour. The most notable peak seasons are summer (especially the school holiday period from July to August) and national public holidays. Lots of domestic travelers go on vacations with their families, so the attractions will be particularly crowded along with surges in travel expenses.

How to Travel Between Hong Kong and the Mainland of China

By Flight

Hong Kong and Chinese mainland are well-connected by flight. You will find frequent flights between Hong Kong International Airport and major cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and so on. Traveling by air is the fastest option for getting around between cities that are relatively far away in China.

By High-Speed Train

If you’re traveling between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Macau, the high-speed train is also a good option. They are more convenient than flying as you won’t have to go through security. Although there are also rail services for long distances like between Beijing and Hong Kong, they will take much longer than flying. High-speed trains are great for traveling within a region.

Related readings:

Hong Kong – Shenzhen High-Speed Trains

How to Travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou

Best Places to Visit on a Hong Kong–China Tour

Top Things to Do in Hong Kong

There are many exciting things to do in Hong Kong. Victoria Peak, the highest point of Hong Kong Island, is a top landmark to visit. From its top, you will have an excellent view of the city, and its beautiful skyline. To enjoy the nature from its summit, you can either hike up or ride the Peak Tram, an iconic service that has been in operation since 1888.

For a more comprehensive experience in Hong Kong, you should also explore the culture of Hong Kong at its vibrant street markets. Visit the traditional fishing villages to learn about the city’s past. Go shopping at world-class malls, and enjoy the exciting nightlife of Lan Kwai Fong.

Must-See Attractions of the Mainland of China

Expect more impressive experiences and attractions while traveling in mainland of China. Whether you’re looking for significant historic sites, cultural attractions, or natural sceneries, you will find a wide range of options.

Some of the must-see historical landmarks include the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall of China in Beijing, and the grand Terracotta Army in Xian. All of them will introduce you to the splendid history and imperial culture of China. When traveling to Shanghai, the many marvels of modern China and the eye-catching Shanghai skyline will show you the image of China’s development. The breathtaking karst landscapes of Guilin, cloud-kissing pillar peaks of Zhangjiajie, gorgeous Three Gorges on the Yangtze River will get you lost in the otherworldly natural beauties…

Here are some other major travel destinations and attractions to visit on your China tour.

Classic China Tour Itineraries for Your Reference:

• 8 Days Beijing – Xian – Shanghai Highlights Tour
• 14-Day China Tour with Zhangjiajie & Guilin Landscapes

Local Currency: How to Pay in Hong Kong & Mainland of China

It’s important to note on your China and Hong Kong tour that Hong Kong uses a different currency from the rest of the country. You can exchange for cash in Hong Kong Dollar or pay with cards. Electronic payment is also supported. Sometimes, depending on the vendor, Chinese Yuan may be accepted in Hong Kong, but the Hong Kong Dollar will not be accepted in Chinese mainland.

The mainland of China uses the Chinese Yuan, or Renminbi. The most prominent way of payment in China is electronic payment. It’s highly recommended that you set up a payment app, WeChat Pay or Alipay before going on your Hong Kong-China tour. It will save you a lot of time and trouble. Foreign numbers and cards are accepted by these apps.

Related reading: WeChat in China: How to Use WeChat in China?

How Many Days for a Hong Kong-China Tour?

The exact duration will depend on your available time and what you want to see. Usually, we recommend arranging at least 7 days to cover the highlights of Hong Kong and its nearby destinations, like the Greater Bay Area (including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau), and Guangxi (featuring stunning karst landscapes and idyllic countryside life).

With 2 weeks or more time, you can combine Hong Kong with more iconic travel destinations in the mainland of China, like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu. This is the ideal duration to discover the essence of both Hong Kong and the mainland.

If you have over 3 weeks available, you can even expect a more in-depth exploration to the ancient Silk Road, Yunnan, or Tibet.

Below are some sample itineraries for your reference.

Classic Itinerary: 7–10 Days

For a classic itinerary of 7-10 days, you can extend your Hong Kong tour to the Greater Bay Area of China, including Macau, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. This region is known for its dynamic culture along the southern coast of China. It’s a great option for a relatively short China and Hong Kong tour.

You can also embark on a more comprehensive China tour to a number of cities. If it’s your first time in China, you can visit the most famous cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an. Here’s a classic itinerary from Hong Kong to Shanghai and Beijing for your reference:

Day 1: Arrival in Hong Kong – Star Ferry ride – Avenue of Stars

Day 2: Peak Tram to Victoria Peak – Stanley Market – flight to Shanghai

Day 3: Yuyuan Garden – Shanghai Museum – Nanjing Road – The Bund – Huangpu River Night Cruise

Day 4: Jade Buddha Temple – Xintiandi – flight to Beijing

Day 5: Tiananmen Square – the Forbidden City – Jingshan Park – the Summer Palace – Wangfujing Snack Street

Day 6: Mutianyu Great Wall – Ming Tombs – Beijing Hutongs

Day 7: Temple of Heaven – Beijing departure

Recommended Classic Hong Kong-China Tours:

• • 7 Days China Tour from Hong Kong to Shanghai and Beijing
  • 8-Day Greater Bay Area Tour: Hong Kong Guangzhou Shenzhen…

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In-Depth Exploration: Around 2 Weeks

With about 2 weeks in China, you can make more stops on your trip. You can travel to Guilin or Zhangjiajie for stunning natural sceneries. See giant pandas in Chengdu. A Yangtze River Cruise will take you past some of the most beautiful landscapes and cultures. Here’s a recommended 14-day itinerary to Hong Kong, Guilin, Yangtze River, Xian, and Beijing:

Day 1: Arrival in Hong Kong – Star Ferry ride – Temple Street Night Market

Day 2: Victoria Peak – Aberdeen Fishing Village – Wong Tai Sin Temple – Stanley Market – Avenue of Stars

Day 3: High-speed train to Guilin – Seven Star Park

Day 4: Longji Rice Terrace – Ping’an Zhuang Village

Day 5: Li River cruise to Yangshuo – bamboo rafting to Hundred Mile Gallery –  Yangshuo West Street

Day 6: High-speed train to Chongqing – Ciqikou Ancient Town – Three Gorges Museum – Chaotianmen Dock and board Yangtze River Cruise

Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise (Tai Chi class, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Fengdu Ghost City)

Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise (Three Gorges, boating on Shennv Creek, White Emperor City)

Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise (Three Gorges Dam) – disembark and flight to Xi’an

Day 10: Terracotta Warriors and Horses – Ancient City Wall – Muslim Quarter

Day 11: Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Xi’an Museum – high-speed train to Beijing

Day 12: Tian’anmen Square – the Forbidden City – Summer Palace – Chinese Kung Fu Show

Day 13: Mutianyu Great Wall – Ming Tombs – Bird’s Nest and Water Cube

Day 14: Temple of Heaven – Beijing Hutongs – departure from Beijing

Recommended In-Depth Hong Kong-China Tours:

• 12 Days China Tour from Hong Kong with Yangtze River Cruise
• 14 Days China Leisure Holiday with Yangtze Cruise & Panda
• 14 Days China Yangtze Cruise Tour with Li River Cruise

Tips for Planning a Smooth Hong Kong-China Trip

• Be prepared for cultural differences: Hong Kong, compared to the mainland of China, will be a lot more international. Its culture has more Western influences. If you travel to rural regions of China, you should be prepared for some pretty drastic cultural differences.
• Internet sensitivity: Unlike Hong Kong, the mainland of China prohibits access to many foreign sites or apps like Google Maps and Instagram. A VPN will be needed to keep you connected.
• Electric outlets: Hong Kong has different electric outlets from the mainland of China. It uses British Standard outlets, or Type G, and the mainland uses Type A, Type C, and Type I outlets.

Related reading: How to Plan a Trip to Hong Kong

FAQs on Planning a China and Hong Kong Tour

Can I do a day trip to China from Hong Kong?

Yes, you can make a day trip from Hong Kong to nearby destinations like Shenzhen, Macau, or Guangzhou.

What is the best month to visit Hong Kong?

The best time to visit Hong Kong is between October and the next April.

Can I use the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (VFT) rules if I fly from my home country, visit Mainland of China, and then fly to Hong Kong?

Yes, the third region stated by the 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy includes Hong Kong and Macau.

If I’m already in Hong Kong, can I easily apply for a mainland of China visa there, or should I get it before I leave home?

Yes, if you want to be spontaneous while visiting Hong Kong and extend your visit to mainland of China, you definitely can apply for a Chinese visa there. However, it may extend your stay in Hong Kong and in rare cases, there are chances you may not be approved for a visa. For a peace of mind and sufficient time to plan your trip, it’s recommended that you obtain your visa before leaving your home country.

What is the easiest and fastest way to travel between a major city like Shenzhen or Guangzhou and Hong Kong?

Depending on your destination, there are a variety of options. For example, to Shenzhen, the easiest way is to take the MTR. You can also take the high-speed rail. To Guangzhou, the high-speed rail is your best choice. To travel to Macau, you can take the high-speed ferry. To other major cities in mainland of China, you can take the high-speed rail for relatively close destinations. You can fly to cities that are farther away.

Can I use Hong Kong’s Octopus card for public transport in mainland cities like Shenzhen or Shanghai?

No, the Octopus card is strictly for Hong Kong transportation and retail stores.

Plan Your Hong Kong-China Tour with China Xian Tour

With over 20 years of expertise, China Xian Tour offers both small group tours and bespoke private tours to suit visitors of different travel styles. You can get inspiration from our 1000+ expertly organized itineraries, contact our expert travel consultants about your travel ideas and special requirements, and finally have your itinerary well planned all around your preferences. Our experienced English-speaking guides and 24/7 customer support service will guarantee you a peace of mind throughout the journey.