Two-day trips in the Greater Bay Area

Want to take things easy after a late night? Take the bus to the tranquil Coloane Village for a stroll, and head to the famous Lord Stow’s Bakery for a Macanese version of the pasteis de nata (Portuguese egg tart). If you had Chinese food the previous day and are keen to try something else, flag down a taxi and ask for Fernando's Restaurant near Hac Sá Beach, where you can expect a Portuguese lunch to relish.

The Overseas Chinese Town (OCT Station) in Nanshan District, home to a range of theme parks, cultural facilities, restaurants, department stores and hotels, is perfect for families to spend an entire day. For art lovers and culture vultures, the OCT-LOFT (Qiaocheng East Station), an art hub occupying what were once abandoned industrial plants, has a score of independent shops. One will also find in this enclave for designers, avant-garde artists and creative enterprises plenty of graffiti and art installations.

Before leaving Shenzhen, it is worth visiting the FREE SKY observation deck on the 116^th floor of Ping An Finance Center (Shopping Park Station), Shenzhen’s tallest building, to take home the memory of a breathtaking view of the bustling city.

There is a popular Chinese saying ‘eat in Guangzhou’, which suggests that Guangzhou has the best food to offer in China. It therefore makes sense to explore the city through the taste buds. Xihua Road (Chen Clan Academy Station), a traditional food street, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (Changshou Lu Station) are good places to start.

The Canton Tower (Canton Tower Station), an unmissable landmark known for its ‘slim waist’ created by the twisting architectural structure, is hailed as the number one sightseeing tower in China. In addition to taking in the views from a vantage point and visiting the Skyone Celebrity Wax Museum, thrill-seeking visitors can take a ride on the Bubble Tram or Sky Drop.

Start the following morning with a dim sum breakfast at one of the garden-style restaurants — Panxi, Beiyuan Cuisine and Nan Yuan being the most famous — and experience slow living the Guangzhou way. Of the three restaurants mentioned, we recommend Panxi (Zhongshanba Station) if you want to sample Cantonese delicacies and enjoy the mesmerising views of Liwan Lake at the same time.

The Beijing Lu Pedestrian Street (Gongyuanqian Station) has to be the busiest street in Guangzhou. Not only does the commercial street offer great food, shopping and entertainment, but it is also where modern shops are juxtaposed with buildings and alleys that are over a thousand years old. Those who prefer shopping malls can make their way to Taikoo Hui Guangzhou (Shipaiqiao Station) or Grandview Mall where the Grandview Aquarium is located.