14-Day Southern China Itinerary: HK, Chengdu, Macau

Fourteen days is enough to see five very different cities without feeling like you're racing — if you plan the order carefully. This route starts in Hong Kong, flies to Chongqing, trains to Chengdu, then returns east by air to Shenzhen and finishes in Macau. Expect roughly 2–3 nights per city, one internal flight, two high-speed train rides, and a mix of big-city energy, mountain scenery, and pandas. Budget-wise, a mid-range traveler should plan on about CNY 700–1,200 (roughly USD 100–170) per day including lodging, food, and transport [verify before travel for current exchange rates and prices].

Getting the Paperwork and Logistics Right

This itinerary crosses borders three times (Hong Kong, mainland China, Macau), so documents matter more than usual. Most Western passports need visas or permits for each region, and the rules changed significantly in recent years. Sort this out weeks before departure — same-week approvals are not guaranteed.

Mainland China visa — Most US/UK/EU passport holders need a visa; some nationalities qualify for visa-free transit or entry schemes [verify before travel — rules change frequently]. Apply through your nearest Chinese embassy, consulate, or an authorized agency.
Hong Kong entry — Many Western nationalities enter visa-free for 90–180 days [verify before travel]. You'll clear immigration separately from mainland China.
Macau entry — Most Western passports also get visa-free access to Macau for short stays [verify before travel]. Crossing between mainland and Macau requires another immigration check.
Cash and payments — Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before arrival — they now work in all five cities. Carry some cash: Hong Kong dollars (HKD) for HK, Chinese yuan (CNY) for the mainland, Macanese patacas (MOP) for Macau, though MOP is often optional.
Connectivity — Buy an eSIM or regional SIM covering Hong Kong, mainland China, and Macau, or enable international roaming. Many Western apps and websites are blocked on mainland networks without a VPN [verify before travel what works with your provider].

The Route at a Glance

The order here minimizes backtracking. Hong Kong first because most long-haul flights arrive there and jet lag is easier in an English-friendly city. Then fly inland for the mountain and panda segment, and finish in the Pearl River Delta where everything is close together.

Days 1–3: Hong Kong — Land, recover, and do the classics: Victoria Peak, harbor views, dim sum. Fly to Chongqing on Day 3 evening or Day 4 morning (about 2.5 hours) [verify before travel current schedules].
Days 4–6: Chongqing — A dramatic mountain city of neon, rivers, and hotpot. High-speed train to Chengdu takes about 1–2 hours [verify before travel the exact line and duration].
Days 7–9: Chengdu — Pandas, teahouses, and Sichuan food. Fly Chengdu to Shenzhen (about 2–2.5 hours) [verify before travel schedules and fares].
Days 10–12: Shenzhen — China's futuristic tech city, plus easy day-trip options. Cross to Macau by high-speed rail via Zhuhai or by ferry (about 1–2 hours total depending on route) [verify before travel border crossing options and times].
Days 12–14: Macau — Portuguese-colonial streets, egg tarts, and casinos. Fly home from Macau or hop back to Hong Kong airport [verify before travel for flight availability].

Hong Kong: Victoria Peak and the Harbour

No first visit is complete without the Peak. Take the historic Peak Tram up (expect queues on weekends) or the cheaper bus, and watch the skyline light up at dusk. Pair it with a Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour — still one of the world's great cheap thrills.

Metro: Peak Tram lower terminus is a short walk from Central station (Admiralty/Central area — confirm current station exit)
Opening hours: Peak Tram generally runs from morning to late evening [verify before travel for current hours]
Tickets: Peak Tram return roughly HKD 88–148 (about USD 11–19); Star Ferry about HKD 4–6.5 (under USD 1) [verify before travel for current fares]
How long: Half day

Chengdu: The Giant Panda Breeding Base

Go early — pandas are most active at feeding time in the morning, and crowds build by mid-morning. The base is large, so allow a few hours and consider the shuttle inside the park. Book tickets online in advance, as daily visitor caps apply [verify before travel for booking rules].

Metro: Reachable by Chengdu Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue station plus a short shuttle or taxi — confirm current line and station name
Opening hours: Generally opens around 7:30 am [verify before travel]
Tickets: Around CNY 55 (about USD 8) [verify before travel]
How long: 3–4 hours

Chongqing: Hongyadong and the Mountain City Nights

Hongyadong is the stilted-building complex that looks like a scene from a fantasy film when lit at night — it's genuinely spectacular even if very crowded. Walk the riverside, ride the monorail that passes through a residential building at Liziba, and finish with authentic Chongqing hotpot (ask for 'wei la' — mildly spicy — unless you're brave).

Metro: Hongyadong is served by Chongqing Rail Transit — confirm current line and station name
Opening hours: Exterior and riverside always open; shops and viewing areas typically open late morning to around 10–11 pm [verify before travel]
Tickets: Free to walk the area; internal attractions charge separately (typically CNY 20–100 / USD 3–14) [verify before travel]
How long: 2–3 hours, best after sunset

Sample Day: Day 5 in Chongqing

08:30
Breakfast near your hotel Chongqing xiaomian (small noodles) — a bowl costs about CNY 12–20 (USD 2–3).
09:30
Liziba monorail station Watch the train pass through an apartment block; viewing platform downstairs. Metro fare under CNY 5 (under USD 1).
11:00
Testbed 2 / Eling Park area Former test-plot turned creative district with city views. Free to wander.
13:30
Late lunch and rest Chongqing's hills are exhausting; build in a midday break, especially in summer when it exceeds 35°C (95°F).
16:00
Riverside walk or cableway The Yangtze River cableway offers skyline views; round trip around CNY 30 (USD 4) [verify before travel].
19:00
Hongyadong at night + hotpot Arrive before dark for the lights-on moment, then eat nearby. A hotpot dinner runs CNY 80–150 (USD 11–21) per person.

Related Beijing guides

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Itineraries — Hong Kong–Shenzhen–Macau in One Day: Transport and Documents
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Transport — Hong Kong to Guangzhou: Ferry, Cross-Border Train, or Bus?

Practical Tips for This Route

Book trains early — China high-speed rail tickets go on sale about 15 days ahead and sell out on popular routes [verify before travel]. Use Trip.com or the official 12306 app; your passport is your ticket ID.
Pack for two climates — Chongqing and Chengdu are humid and hot in summer (over 35°C / 95°F), while Shenzhen and Hong Kong are subtropical. Air-conditioning is fierce everywhere — a light layer helps.
Mind the border days — Crossing between Hong Kong, the mainland, and Macau means immigration queues that can exceed an hour at peak times. Don't schedule tight connections on border days.
Dial down the spice gradually — Sichuan and Chongqing food is far hotter than most Western visitors expect. Say 'bu yao la' (no spice) or 'wei la' (mildly spicy) — kitchen interpretations vary.
Tipping and bargaining — No tipping anywhere on this route. Bargain politely at markets in all five cities; never in restaurants or malls.
Flushable toilets and hydration — Carry tissue and hand sanitizer — public toilets outside malls and hotels may lack paper. Tap water is not drinkable on the mainland; bottled water costs about CNY 2–3 (under USD 0.50).