Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai — The Triangle No One Tells You About

When people think about a trip to China, they think of Beijing, the Great Wall, maybe Shanghai. Almost no one thinks about the southern corner — and that's exactly where, in my view, one of the most special experiences there is lies hidden.

Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai sit side by side in the Pearl River Delta, connected today by the longest sea bridge in the world. Three cities, half an hour apart — and three completely different worlds. And the third, Zhuhai, I know better than any other place in the world, because that's where I live.

Let me take you on a tour.

Hong Kong — where East and West meet

Hong Kong is a perfect starting point, and especially convenient: many nationalities can enter it without a visa (unlike mainland China). It's vibrant, international, and blends dizzying skyscrapers with traditional markets and green mountains.

• Victoria Peak — a breathtaking view of the skyline and the bay
• A sampan cruise and the Star Ferry — the classic of the harbor
• Kowloon's markets — color, scent, and energy
• Hong Kong Disneyland — excellent for families
• Food — from the best dim sum to Michelin-starred restaurants

Macau — the Las Vegas of Asia, with a Portuguese soul

Half an hour from Macau, and here too many nationalities enter without a visa. Macau is a surprising blend: on one hand the gambling capital of the world, with giant casinos and showpiece hotels. On the other — a charming Portuguese colonial heritage.

• The Ruins of St. Paul's — Macau's symbol, the remnant of a Portuguese church
• The historic quarter — a World Heritage Site, cobbled streets and ancient churches
• The casinos and shows — even if you don't gamble, the visual abundance is impressive
• Macanese food — a unique cuisine blending Portugal and China

Zhuhai — the great surprise (and my home)

And here comes the part I most love to tell, because almost no foreign traveler knows it. Zhuhai sits just across the border from Macau, and it's one of the most beautiful and pleasant cities in all of China. It's sometimes called "the Green City" — spacious, clean, with seaside promenades, parks and gardens.

After 13 years in China, I chose to live here of all places. And that's no accident.

• "Lovers' Road" — a long, gorgeous coastal promenade along the sea, perfect for sunset
• The Fisher Girl statue — the city's symbol
• Chimelong Ocean Kingdom — one of the largest theme parks and aquariums in the world, simply amazing for families
• Islands and pearls — dozens of small islands off the coast, quiet and beautiful

And now the big secret — the spa and hot springs

If there's one thing I send everyone who comes to the region to, it's the spa and hot springs of Zhuhai and the surroundings. Forget everything you know as "a spa". This is a completely different game.

We're talking about enormous natural hot-spring complexes, with dozens of pools at different temperatures, some with added herbs, tea, or minerals. People spend a whole day there — moving from pool to pool, resting, eating, and being pampered at a level that simply doesn't exist back home. Most travelers I take there leave with the same sentence: "I had no idea this even existed."

There are things in China you can't plan from Google, because they simply don't show up there. The Zhuhai spa is exactly one of them.

The bridge that connects it all — an engineering marvel

What made this triangle so easily possible is the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, which opened in 2018: a 55-km system of bridges and tunnels over the sea, the longest in the world. Driving across it is an experience in itself — sailing over the open sea between the three cities.

Who the southern triangle suits

• For families — Disneyland, Ocean Kingdom, beaches — a paradise for kids
• For couples — a blend of city, culture, spa and romance
• For older travelers — a pleasant pace, good accessibility, and the hot springs are perfect
• For those who've already seen Beijing and Shanghai — a completely different side of China

This is a region I know like the back of my hand, simply because I live in it. And it's exactly the kind of place where the difference between an ordinary trip and an unforgettable one is someone who knows where to take you — and what no one else will show you.