What to prepare for your first trip to Hong Kong and Macau? Four days to fully enjoy Hong Kong and Macau
✈️Pre-departure preparation & border crossing requirements
🤩1. Essential documents: 😺Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit: Apply in advance at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of your household registration or residence place, and confirm the endorsement is valid. (One valid endorsement is required for both Hong Kong and Macau)
😸2. Other preparations: 🤑Currency: HKD/MOP (recommended to exchange at mainland banks; some small shops in Hong Kong only accept cash, while Macau mostly accepts HKD), many stores support WeChat, Alipay, and credit cards, so no need to exchange too much cash.
🤑Network: Activate mobile roaming or purchase a Hong Kong and Macau data package (available via Alipay or carrier apps).
🤑Transport cards: Recommended "Octopus Card" in Hong Kong (available at MTR stations), "Macau Pass" or cash in Macau.
Power adapter: Hong Kong uses British three-pin plugs, Macau mostly uses two-pin round plugs.
😍Itinerary planning: ⌚️Day 1: Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui + Victoria Harbour night view)
Morning: Cross the border at Shenzhen port (such as Futian Port, West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station), take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Activities: Avenue of Stars, K11 Musea, Sa Sa, Harbour City shopping.
Lunch: Cha chaan teng (pineapple bun, Hong Kong-style milk tea, wonton noodles, etc.)
Afternoon: Hong Kong Museum of Art/Space Museum → Star Ferry to Central.
Evening: Take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for the night view → Experience nightlife at Lan Kwai Fong.
⌚️Day 2: Hong Kong (Disneyland/Ocean Park + Mong Kok)
😚Option A: Hong Kong Disneyland
Transport: Direct via Disneyland Resort Line, tickets recommended to buy in advance.
Must-see: Grizzly Gulch, Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, nighttime light show.
😚Option B: Ocean Park
Transport: MTR South Island Line to Ocean Park Station.
Must-see: Dolphin show, roller coasters, aquarium.
Evening: Mong Kok night market (Ladies' Market, Sneaker Street) → Temple Street for late-night snacks (claypot rice, curry fish balls).
⌚️Day 3: Hong Kong → Macau (Historic Peninsula)
Morning: Take the ferry to Macau (TurboJET/Cotai Water Jet, 1 hour, ticket around HKD 160-200).
After border crossing, take the free hotel shuttle bus to the city.
Afternoon: Macau Peninsula: Ruins of St. Paul's, Lovers’ Lane, St. Dominic's Church, Senado Square.
Dinner: Yee Shun Milk Company (double skin milk) → Wong Chi Kei Congee & Noodles (fresh shrimp wonton noodles).
Evening: Night view at Grand Lisboa Hotel → Wynn Palace musical fountain.
⌚️Day 4: Macau (Cotai + Return)
Morning: Cotai: Venetian Shopping Center (Gondola ride), Parisian Eiffel Tower, Rua do Cunha (souvenir shopping).
Lunch: Lord Stow’s Bakery (Portuguese egg tarts) → Tai Lei Loi Kei (pork chop bun).
Afternoon: Taipa Houses-Museum → Return trip (ferry to Shenzhen/ Zhuhai port).
🤤Food recommendations: Hong Kong
Cha chaan teng: Lan Fong Yuen (silk stocking milk tea), Australia Dairy Company (steamed milk pudding).
Street snacks: Fei Jie Snack Shop (cold marinated skewers), Mummy Egg Waffles.
Main meals: Kau Kee Beef Brisket (soup beef brisket), Bridge Street Spicy Crab (Typhoon Shelter-style fried crab).
Macau: Portuguese cuisine: Tomato House (Portuguese baked rice), Bay Restaurant (bacalhau balls).
Desserts: Mok Yi Kei (durian ice cream), Hung Hing Coconut (coconut ice cream).
Souvenirs: Koi Kei Bakery (almond cookies, pork jerky).
🚚Transportation guide:
Hong Kong: MTR covers the whole city, Octopus Card can be used for transport and convenience stores.
Ding Ding tram (Hong Kong Island) offers a retro tram experience, fare HKD 3.
Macau: Free hotel shuttle buses (between ferry terminal/airport/attractions). Bus fare MOP 6 per ride, taxi starting fare MOP 19.
🤑Budget reference (per person)
- Transport: HKD 800-1200 (including ferry and MTR)
- Accommodation: HKD 600-1000/night (3-star hotels)
- Meals: HKD 200-400/day
- Tickets: Disneyland adult ticket approx. ¥586 (weekends and holidays vary) / Ocean Park approx. ¥458.
Accommodation suggestions: Hong Kong, Mong Kok/Jordan, 3/4-star hotels (¥500-800), Tsim Sha Tsui 4-star hotels (¥800-1500), Peninsula/Ritz-Carlton (¥1500+)
Macau: Established hotels on Macau Peninsula, Sheraton/Galaxy in Cotai.
❤️Tips: If budget is limited, consider staying near Shenzhen port in Hong Kong (such as Futian) and cross early on the second day; in Macau, staying in Zhuhai (Hengqin Port) offers better value.