First Time Visiting Hong Kong and Macau: What to Prepare? A 4-Day Itinerary for Hong Kong and Macau

✈️ Pre-Trip Preparation & Entry Requirements 🤩1. Essential Documents: 😺Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit: Apply in advance at your local immigration office and ensure valid endorsements (one valid endorsement each for Hong Kong and Macau). 😸2. Other Preparations: 🤑 Currency: HKD/MOP (recommend exchanging at mainland banks; some small shops in Hong Kong only accept cash, while most places in Macau accept HKD). Many stores support WeChat Pay, Alipay, and credit cards, so don’t exchange too much cash. 🤑 Internet: Activate international roaming or purchase a Hong Kong/Macau data package (available via Alipay or carrier apps). 🤑 Transport Cards: In Hong Kong, get an "Octopus Card" (available at MTR stations); in Macau, use "Macau Pass" or cash. 🔌 Adapter: Hong Kong uses UK-style three-pin plugs, while Macau mostly uses two-pin round plugs. 😍 Itinerary Plan: ⌚️Day 1: Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui + Victoria Harbour Night View) Morning: Cross the border at Shenzhen ports (e.g., Futian Port, West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station), take 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). Afternoon: Hong Kong Museum of Art/Space Museum → Star Ferry to Central. Evening: Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for night views → Lan Kwai Fong nightlife. ⌚️Day 2: Hong Kong (Disneyland/Ocean Park + Mong Kok) 😚Option A: Hong Kong Disneyland Transport: MTR Disneyland Line, book tickets in advance. Must-dos: Grizzly Gulch, Hyperspace Mountain, nighttime fireworks. 😚Option B: Ocean Park Transport: MTR South Island Line to Ocean Park Station. Must-dos: Dolphin show, roller coasters, aquarium. Evening: Mong Kok night market (Ladies' Market, Sneaker Street) → Temple Street supper (claypot rice, curry fish balls). ⌚️Day 3: Hong Kong → Macau (Historic Peninsula) Morning: Take a ferry to Macau (TurboJet/Cotai Jet, 1 hour, ~HKD 160-200). After arrival, take free hotel shuttle to downtown. Afternoon: Macau Peninsula: Ruins of St. Paul’s, Lover’s Lane, St. Dominic’s Church, Senado Square. Dinner: Yee Shun Milk Company (double-layer milk pudding) → Wong Chi Kei (shrimp wonton noodles). Evening: Night view at Grand Lisboa → Wynn Palace musical fountain. ⌚️Day 4: Macau (Cotai + Return) Morning: Cotai: The Venetian (gondola rides), 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 (ferry to Shenzhen/Zhuhai ports). 🤤 Food Recommendations: Hong Kong: Cha Chaan Teng: Lan Fong Yuen (silk-stock milk tea), Australia Dairy Company (steamed milk pudding). Street food: Fei Jie Snacks (cold braised skewers), Mammy Pancake (egg waffles). Dinner: Kau Kee Beef Brisket (beef brisket soup), Bridge Street Crab (Typhoon Shelter crab). Macau: Portuguese cuisine: O Manel (Portuguese baked rice), A Lorcha (bacalhau balls). Desserts: Mok Yi Kei (durian ice cream), Hung Heng Coconut (coconut ice cream). Souvenirs: Koi Kei Bakery (almond cookies, pork jerky). 🚚 Transport Guide: Hong Kong: MTR covers the city; Octopus Card works for transport/convenience stores. Tram (HK Island) for a retro ride, fare HKD 3. Macau: Free hotel shuttles (between ports/airport/attractions). Buses cost MOP 6/ride; taxis start at MOP 19. 🤑 Budget Reference (per person): - Transport: CNY 800-1200 (incl. ferry/MTR). - Accommodation: CNY 600-1000/night (3-star hotels). - Food: CNY 200-400/day. - Tickets: Disneyland ~CNY 586 (weekends/holidays vary), Ocean Park ~CNY 458. 🏨 Accommodation Tips: Hong Kong: Mong Kok/Jordan (3/4-star hotels, CNY 500-800), Tsim Sha Tsui (4-star, CNY 800-1500), Peninsula/Ritz-Carlton (CNY 1500+). Macau: Old hotels in Macau Peninsula, Sheraton/Galaxy in Cotai. ❤️Tips: For budget travelers, stay near Shenzhen ports (e.g., Futian) and cross early next morning; for Macau, stay in Zhuhai (Hengqin Port) for better value.