A Journey of Heritage & Flavours in Hong Kong, Macau & Guangzhou

Famous as a financial and historic centre, Hong Kong has a culture and cuisine that blend long-standing Chinese tradition with waves of Western influence, especially from the British colonial era. Nicknamed a “world food fair”, this Special Administrative Region has a vibrant, fast-moving way of life, where age-old customs still sit comfortably beneath modern skyscrapers.

Upon arrival, your guide escorts you to your hotel for the private transfer. The rest of the day is yours to begin exploring Hong Kong, and as evening falls the city comes alive with neon and energy.

Spend the day exploring Hong Kong Island’s highlights and local flavours with your guide. Ride the Peak Tram, in operation since 1888, up to Victoria Peak, where the skyline and Victoria Harbour spread out below. Descend to the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator area, where old and new Hong Kong sit side by side, and let your guide lead you to long-standing snack shops for a first taste of the city: Hong Kong-style egg tarts, sata andagi and a cup of milk tea or herbal tea. Continue to Tai Kwun, the former Central Police Station reborn as a heritage and cultural complex, then follow the locals aboard the century-old “Ding Ding” tram, watching everyday life pass by from a nostalgic perspective. Pause for lunch at a small eatery over a bowl of wonton noodles or a plate of roasted meat rice, two Cantonese classics. In the afternoon, cross Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui, and end the day on the Avenue of Stars, where the handprints and statues of film legends such as Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Bruce Lee line the harbour.

Lantau Island is Hong Kong’s largest island and its “green lung”, a calm escape from the busy city centre. Here, unspoilt nature and long-standing spiritual heritage sit alongside modern landmarks such as Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Rise above the hills on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car and arrive at Ngong Ping Village, where Buddhist keepsakes and souvenirs line the lanes leading to the 250-tonne cast Big Buddha and the peaceful Po Lin Monastery. Take time to absorb the quiet of the monastery grounds, and if you wish, deepen the experience over a Buddhist vegetarian lunch. In the afternoon, step into Tai O, one of the few remaining fishing villages in Hong Kong, where the look and feel of the city before the skyscrapers lives on. Wander narrow streets and local markets, watch village life unfold along the waterway beside its traditional stilt houses, and taste seafood snacks made the local way. Hike from the viewing point to the Tai O Heritage Hotel for views over the mountains and sea, with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in the distance. Return to Ngong Ping by bus and ride the cable car back down the mountain.

Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, only about 60 km from Hong Kong, with a character all its own, where Chinese and Portuguese cultures meet. Nicknamed the “Las Vegas of the East”, it pairs the glitter of its grand resorts with the quiet, nostalgic charm of its World Heritage streets.

Cross to Macau by ferry and begin at the Historic Centre, where the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square and A-Ma Temple reflect four centuries of exchange between Chinese and Western cultures. Continue to the mint-green Taipa Houses, once the homes of Portuguese officials and now museums of Macau’s multicultural way of life. Enjoy three hours of free time at the Venetian, a replica of Venice with canals, boutiques and a casino, and lunch at your leisure. Head on to Coloane, Macau’s most tranquil corner, to visit the Baroque St. Francis Xavier Church, then savour an egg tart at Lord Stow’s Bakery with a hand-brewed coffee, soaking up the unhurried pace of village life. Return to Hong Kong by ferry from Taipa Ferry Terminal.

Travel by first-class high-speed train to Guangzhou in about 1.5 hours. Guangzhou (also known as Canton) is the capital of Guangdong Province and often described as China’s third-largest metropolis, after Beijing and Shanghai. It is the true home of Cantonese (Yue) culture and cuisine. Set on the banks of the Pearl River, it is nicknamed the “Flower City” and has been a thriving trading hub for over a thousand years, a key port on the Maritime Silk Road. After check-in and a short rest, continue to Shamian Island, a former foreign concession, where elegant colonial buildings line tree-shaded avenues. Sip a coffee at one of its stylish cafes, then end the day on a tranquil riverside walk.

Begin with a dim sum feast at the time-honoured Dim Dou Duk Tea House, where you can experience morning tea (yum cha), a cherished Cantonese ritual. Then visit Yuexiu Park, home to the iconic Five Rams Sculpture, and the majestic Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, built in 1931 in honour of the father of modern China. Dive into the energy of Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, lined with local restaurants, souvenir brands and street food, and finish with a view of the 600-metre Canton Tower, a soaring symbol of modern Guangzhou.

Step into 2,000 years of Lingnan culture at the Museum of the Nanyue King, where you may glimpse the legendary jade burial suit sewn with silk threads. Slow your pace at the City God Temple, where vibrant murals and the hush of incense offer a window into time-honoured tradition. Stroll through Lychee Bay Park and the winding lanes of Pantang Wuyue and Baxian Alley, tasting authentic local snacks along the way, then savour roast goose or clay pot rice at a nearby restaurant. The evening is free to explore the city’s neighbourhoods, or to join an optional food tour deeper into Guangzhou’s flavourful streets.

Marvel at the elaborate carvings of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, built between 1890 and 1894 and regarded as the largest and best preserved ancestral hall in Guangdong. Stroll through Yongqingfang, a charming quarter of creative art spaces and historic architecture, where you can try your hand at traditional Chinese printing and rice noodle roll making. Visit the Cantonese Opera Museum and Bruce Lee’s former residence for a deeper look at the city’s performing arts and local heritage, and if you wish, finish with a bowl of sweet soup, a favourite local dessert.

Enjoy a final breakfast in Guangzhou before a private transfer takes you to the airport, bringing your journey through Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou to a close.