When in Hong Kong it is easy to be tied down to the city because there's just so many things to experience. From theme parks, skyscrapers to beautiful harbours, there are sights aplenty to capture one's attention. But when in Hong Kong, do take out time for some of these easy day trips. They are worth your time
Lantau is the largest island in Hong Kong. This island is home to high mountains and indigenous forests, a refreshing change from the busy and crowded cityscape. The island is home to Hong Kong Disneyland with Disney theme park, hotels, shopping, dining and entertainment options. For those interest in heritage, Po Lin Monastery and the 85ft high bronze Tian Tan Buddha statue located in the Ngong Ping plateau.
Everything about Macau spells holiday and fun. Be it religious festivals, Macao Grand Prix or cultural festivals, Macau is an interesting mix of everything fun. Macau consists of two major cultures, Chinese and Portuguese. The Lunar Chinese New Year is the most important festival of Macau. In terms of events, Macau Grand Prix draws in a lot of visitors. The same goes for the Macau Arts Festival (March), and International Fireworks Display Contest (September). There are plenty of temples for the religiously inclined travellers.
This wetland, a restricted area, is a haven for birders and nature lovers. Over 350 species of birds, mammals, insects and reptiles make Mai Po Marshes their home. Resident as well as the migratory birds like black-faced spoonbill together constitute globally significant number of wetland birds.
One of China's three largest cities, Guangzhou is also China's best commercial mainland city. Located just 120km north-northwest of Hong Kong, the city hosts the annual Canton Fair, China's oldest and largest trade fair. In addition to this, Guangzhou is probably the best place to experience Cantonese goodness, be it cuisine, music or opera. When in Guangzhou, one must pay a visit to the Temple of the Five Immortals, Temple of the Six Banyan Trees (one of the most prominent Buddhist temples in Guangzhou) and Hoi Tong Monastery.
Shenzhen is the immediate neighbour of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. When in Shenzhen, don't miss Hongfa Temple, a popular Buddhist temple, Temple of the Queen of Heaven, China Folk Culture Village, Safari Park in Nanshan, and beautiful city parks. Golfing enthusiasts can head over to Overseas Chinese Town. Satisfy your shopping needs at Sea World.
While Hong Kong is a city with exceptional energy and enough diverse experiences to keep you busy for weeks, if you want to take a break from the frenetic energy of Hong Kong, these day trips will give you a different flavour of the region, just a stone's throw away.
Getting There: Hong Kong International Airport is connected to virtually every big city. Indian nationals require a valid visa to travel to Hong Kong.