Shenzhen is practically a second home by now, but it's also the transport hub of the whole Pearl River Delta: the fastest high-speed train to Guangzhou takes just 29 minutes, Dongguan is under half an hour away, and a self-drive trip to the Huizhou coast takes about an hour and a half. If you want to "take it one step further" on a weekend, here are 4 day-trip routes around Shenzhen, with transport, attractions and where to eat all mapped out for you.
Before You Go: Which Checkpoint Is the Smoothest Way into Shenzhen?
If you're travelling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen and then on to nearby cities, picking the right checkpoint can save you a lot of time:
- Luohu Checkpoint — directly served by the East Rail Line; once you're through, you're on Shenzhen Metro Line 1, making it the easiest transfer to Shenzhen Station (Luohu Railway Station) for high-speed and intercity trains.
- Futian Checkpoint — connects to Lines 4 and 10 after immigration; fastest route to Shenzhen North Station for high-speed rail (Line 4 goes direct).
- Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint — connects to buses into Nanshan; smoother for Shenzhen West Station, Qianhai and Bao'an.
For Guangzhou or Dongguan, we suggest Futian Checkpoint → Shenzhen North Station; for Huizhou or Shanwei, go with Luohu → Shenzhen Station.
🏙️ Route 1: Guangzhou — 29 Minutes by High-Speed Rail, a Day of Eating, Shopping and Sightseeing
Route: Shenzhen North Station → (high-speed rail) → Guangzhou South Station → Canton Tower → Beijing Road Pedestrian Street → Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street → back to Shenzhen
- Transport: the fastest high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Guangzhou South Station takes about 29 minutes, with extremely frequent departures (hundreds a day). Second-class fares are subject to the official live quote on 12306; you can buy tickets directly in the 12306 app with your Home Return Permit.
- Canton Tower — nicknamed "Slim Waist", it stands 600 metres tall. Observation deck tickets are around ¥150; if you want the 460-metre-high Ferris wheel you'll need a combo ticket (around ¥298) — prices are subject to official ticketing.
- Beijing Road Pedestrian Street — Guangzhou's busiest pedestrian street, with the ruins of a thousand-year-old ancient road preserved under glass in the pavement. The food around here runs from crab roe rice and double-skin milk pudding to street snacks — perfect for visitors hunting for a good meal.
- Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street — an old Xiguan arcade street, packed with wonton noodle shops, rice rolls, herbal tea shops and long-established teahouses; a bowl of wonton noodles costs about ¥10–20.
- Timing: leave at 9 in the morning, spend 2 hours at Canton Tower and 3–4 hours around Beijing Road and Shangxiajiu, and you can easily be back in Shenzhen before 8 at night.
🎡 Route 2: Zhuhai — Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, a Family Day Trip
Route: Shenzhen → (ferry / high-speed rail) → Zhuhai → Chimelong Ocean Kingdom → back to Shenzhen
- Transport: take a ferry from Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Homeport to Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port (about 1 hour), or a high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Zhuhai Station (about 1.5 hours).
- Chimelong Ocean Kingdom — Zhuhai's most famous family theme park, with a whale shark hall, dolphin hall and rides. Tickets are split by peak and off-peak season: standard off-peak day tickets are around ¥325, peak or designated dates around ¥350; children under 1 metre tall go free. Prices and offers are subject to official or officially authorised channels.
- If you're skipping the park: stroll along Qinglv Road, see the Zhuhai Fisher Girl statue, then head to New Yuanming Palace (a free-entry replica classical garden) for photos.
- Heads-up: one day isn't enough for all of Chimelong; if you're bringing kids, consider staying a night or just doing Ocean Kingdom alone.
🌊 Route 3: Huizhou — Double Moon Bay and Xunliao Bay for Sea Views, Self-Drive or Coach Day Trip
Route: Shenzhen → Huizhou Xunliao Bay / Double Moon Bay → seafood → back to Shenzhen
- Self-drive: from Shenzhen to the Huizhou coast takes about 1.5–2 hours (depending on traffic) — the top choice for a weekend road trip; you'll need to apply in advance for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles.
- Public transport: take a high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Huizhou South Station, or a bullet train to Huidong Station, then transfer or call a car into Double Moon Bay (fare around ¥100 or so). There are also direct tourist coaches, about ¥34 one way, taking roughly 3 hours, with pick-up points including around Chegongmiao and Huangbeiling.
- Double Moon Bay — two crescent-shaped bays, with a viewing platform where you can take in both at once; sunrise and sunset are both stunning.
- Xunliao Bay — gentler sandy beach, plenty of water sports, and a seafood street next door where it's caught and cooked on the spot.
- Tip: July and August are peak season and the roads get badly jammed — go on a weekday or set off early.
🏘️ Route 4: Dongguan — Keyuan Garden and Nanshe Ancient Village, a Low-Cost Culture Day Trip
Route: Shenzhen → Dongguan Keyuan Garden → Nanshe Ming and Qing Ancient Village → roast goose lai fun → back to Shenzhen
- Transport: take a high-speed or intercity train from Shenzhen North Station or Shenzhen Station to Dongguan Station or Humen Station, about 20–40 minutes; within the city you can use Dongguan Metro Line 2.
- Keyuan Garden — one of Lingnan's four famous gardens, at 32 Keyuan Road, Guancheng District, Dongguan. Ancient architecture area ticket ¥8 (children under 1.2 metres free), the comprehensive hall area is free all year round; opening hours are 09:00–17:30 daily (last entry 17:00), closed on Tuesdays (except statutory holidays). Walk from Exit D of Tianbao Station on Metro Line 2.
- Nanshe Ming and Qing Ancient Village — an 800-year-old village in Chashan Town, blending Cantonese and Hakka architecture; opening hours are around 09:00–17:30, with tickets subject to official announcements.
- Dongguan roast goose lai fun — Dongguan's signature dish, about ¥20–35 a meal; you can eat and still get back to Shenzhen within the day.
Quick Comparison of the 4 Routes
| Destination | Journey time | Best for | Approximate spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou | About 29 minutes by high-speed rail | Eating, shopping, couples, groups of friends | Fares plus food and shopping, from ¥200 per person |
| Zhuhai | About 1 hour by ferry / about 1.5 hours by high-speed rail | Families, young children | Chimelong tickets from ¥325–350 |
| Huizhou | 1.5–2 hours self-drive / about 3 hours by coach | Sea views, water sports, self-drive | Coach about ¥34 one way, seafood extra |
| Dongguan | 20–40 minutes by high-speed rail | Low cost, culture, quick trips | Keyuan ¥8, a meal ¥20–35 |
Practical Tips
- Buy high-speed rail tickets early: Guangzhou and Zhuhai lines are in hot demand at weekends and on holidays — book a week ahead in the 12306 app; your Home Return Permit works.
- If driving, remember to apply for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles, and check the destination car park's charges and availability (mainland mall car parks mostly charge by the hour, ¥5–15/hour).
- The right checkpoint saves you an hour: for Guangzhou and Dongguan use Futian Checkpoint and transfer at Shenzhen North Station; for Huizhou use Luohu Checkpoint and transfer at Shenzhen Station.
- Don't be greedy on a day trip: 2–3 attractions per route is plenty — leave time for eating and travelling.
- Payment: eating, shopping and playing on the mainland mostly run on WeChat Pay and Alipay; Hong Kong payment tools may not be accepted, so link your card in advance.
⚠️ Attraction tickets, opening hours and transport schedules change from time to time — before you set off, please check the latest announcements from the scenic area itself, China Railway 12306 and the operator.
FAQ
How fast can you get from Shenzhen to Guangzhou?
The fastest high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Guangzhou South Station takes about 29 minutes, with frequent departures; fares are subject to the official live quote on 12306.
Does Dongguan Keyuan Garden charge admission?
Yes. The ancient architecture area ticket is ¥8, with children under 1.2 metres free; the comprehensive hall area is free all year round. Opening hours are 09:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00), closed on Tuesdays, subject to official announcements from the Keyuan Museum.
How much are Chimelong Ocean Kingdom tickets in Zhuhai?
They're split by peak and off-peak season: standard off-peak day tickets around ¥325, peak or designated dates around ¥350, with children under 1 metre free. Chimelong annual passes require booking your visit first in the official app or mini-programme. Prices and offers are subject to official channels.
Can you get to Huizhou's Double Moon Bay without driving?
Yes. You can take a high-speed train to Huizhou South Station or a bullet train to Huidong Station and then transfer into Double Moon Bay, or take a direct tourist coach from Shenzhen, about ¥34 one way and roughly 3 hours.
What about things to do within Shenzhen? See our Shenzhen metro area guide; if you haven't installed the app yet, start with our Amap guide.
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