Hong Kong is located on the coast of southern China, and the former British colony at the mouth of the Pearl River is easily accessible from many cities in mainland China.
A tourist visa may be required to travel from China to Hong Kong, which has separate immigration and customs procedures from China. Depending on your country of citizenship and your itinerary, you may be eligible to travel in Hong Kong visa-free for seven to 180 days.
Once in Hong Kong, it's best to hire a driver so you can ride comfortably and go at your own pace, but more adventurous travelers may find Hong Kong's bustling subway and ferry system very efficient for moving about Hong Kong.
There are plenty of itineraries to inspire your travels, like this 12-day Beijing to Hong Kong Grand Tour.
From Beijing
Duration: 4 hours by plane; 9 hours - 1 day by train
Flying affords the quickest travel time to make the 1,221-mile (1,965-km) journey from Beijing to Hong Kong and is the most convenient and preferred option. There are more than a dozen daily nonstop flights from Beijing Capital International Airport and the new Beijing Daxing International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport.
Each day, only one high-speed train travels up to 186 mph (299 kph) along the 942-mile (1,516-kilometer) route from Beijing West Railway Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. A much slower classic sleeper train option is available from Beijing West Railway Station to Hong Kong's Hung Hom Station, but it's a long, 24-hour journey that departs every other day.
Learn more about traveling from Beijing to Hong Kong
From Shanghai
Duration: 3 hours by plane; 8.5 hours to 19 hours by train
Flying affords the quickest travel time between Shanghai and Hong Kong, but by the time you factor in security screening and travel time to and from each airport and potential flight delays, it's easier and more reliable to take the train. There are more than two dozen nonstop daily flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport.
Each day, only one high-speed train travels up to 186 mph (299 kph) along the 1,237-mile (1,990-kilometer) route from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. A much slower classic sleeper train option is available from Shanghai Railway Station to Hong Kong's Hung Hom Station, but it's a long, 19-hour journey that departs every other day.
Learn more about traveling from Shanghai to Hong Kong
From Shenzhen
Duration: 30 minutes - 3 hours, depending on mode of transport
Pre-booking a private transfer is the most convenient and comfortable way to travel the 17 miles (27 km) from Shenzhen to Hong Kong. Passengers are picked up in late model cars from any starting point like a hotel or Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, and they don't have to drag their luggage from place to place.
There is no queuing in line at customs as there is a special car lane for private car transfers, making the transfer so quick and easy that many intrepid travelers intending to travel to Hong Kong often opt to travel to Shenzhen first before continuing on to Hong Kong.
Learn more about traveling from Shenzhen to Hong Kong
From Xi'an
Duration: 3 hours and 25 minutes by plane; 9.5-12 hours by train
The most direct and convenient way to get from Xi'an to Hong Kong is to fly. There are only a couple of daily nonstop flights making the 888-mile (1,430 km) journey from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport.
Some travelers consider flying from Xi'an to Shenzhen Boa'an International Airport—as there are more than a dozen daily nonstop flights between the two cities—and then traveling from Shenzhen to Hong Kong. The flight time from Xi'an to Shenzhen is two hours and 45 minutes, but the time it takes to travel from Shenzhen to Hong Kong can take an hour or more by private car transfer.