https://www.scmp.com/rss/513658/feed The "Greater Bay Area" refers to the Chinese government's scheme to link the cities of Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhongshan, Dongguan, Huizhou, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing into an integrated economic and business hub. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China announced visa-free entry for Canadian and British nationals on February 17, allowing citizens of the two countries to cross the border and stay for up to 30 days with no more than a passport. The move was just the latest expansion of China’s visa-free policies, which have eased entry rules for citizens of dozens of nations over the past few years as part of an effort to boost tourism. Immigration officials now allow travellers from dozens of countries to stay without a visa for up to 10... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346504/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346504/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun In the early 2000s, many Hongkongers invested in spacious houses in Zhongshan, in mainland China’s Guangdong province, for use as weekend getaways. These houses were bigger than anything buyers could have afforded at home, allowing them to feel like they owned an actual mansion. On the downside, Zhongshan was kind of boring. Outside the gated communities, there was not much to see or do, so people primarily stayed in, caught up on TV series and played mahjong. How times have changed. Cities in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344339/what-do-chinas-zhongshan-food-and-shopping-paradise-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344339/what-do-chinas-zhongshan-food-and-shopping-paradise-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au When Hong Kong-born chef Louis Tam Wah-hin of Chowa won the Young Chef Award and his restaurant’s first Michelin star at the 2025 Michelin Guide ceremony in Guangzhou, it was a pointed triumph. The win, when Tam was 31, paid off a two-year gamble – one that started in July 2023 when he opened his Japanese-French restaurant Chowa in Guangzhou’s Tianhe district. It was a deliberate provocation in a city often dismissed as a “fine dining desert”, where pride in a home-grown culinary tradition... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3342619/chowas-hong-kong-chef-saw-guangzhou-challenge-he-reveals-how-he-won-city-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3342619/chowas-hong-kong-chef-saw-guangzhou-challenge-he-reveals-how-he-won-city-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott If you have plans to explore the world in 2026, then these Post stories should help fuel your wanderlust. A feature on Shunde, a prosperous district of Foshan city in China’s Guangdong province, renowned for its sophisticated, fresh Cantonese cuisine, will inspire those who love to travel for food, while a story on the Norwegian Epic cruise ship is for those who enjoy life at sea. Personal adventures, including a story about Hongkonger Kaylie Lau, who quit her corporate job in fashion marketing... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337978/travel-stories-2025-will-fuel-your-wanderlust-year-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337978/travel-stories-2025-will-fuel-your-wanderlust-year-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 04:15:10 +0000 Cheung Hok-hang Cheung Hok-hang The year 2025 may be winding down, but the art scene in Guangzhou and Shenzhen is all abuzz with events and openings. In particular, the arrival of two new institutions highlights the Greater Bay Area’s continued determination to become a cultural destination. The Shenzhen Bay Culture Square (SCS), which officially opened on November 1, is located in Houhai, an area defined by futuristic architecture and a sparkling coastline. Nicknamed by netizens as the “Airpod building”, the 3.7 billion yuan... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3335744/new-arts-venues-shenzhen-and-guangzhou-give-hongkongers-more-options-short-visits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3335744/new-arts-venues-shenzhen-and-guangzhou-give-hongkongers-more-options-short-visits?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:15:09 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak From major pop stars to classical music icons, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) will play host to some exciting musical acts in December, including a beloved Hong Kong singer, who will perform a New Year’s Eve show. Read on to see what is coming up in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. 1. Concerto di Placido Domingo: Guangzhou Legendary opera singer Placido Domingo is returning to the GBA after his October 2024 Macau concert. This time, he will perform at the Zaha Hadid-designed Guangzhou Opera House, supported... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3333347/sandy-lam-placido-domingo-zhou-shen-5-china-greater-bay-area-events-december-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3333347/sandy-lam-placido-domingo-zhou-shen-5-china-greater-bay-area-events-december-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 04:15:09 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters The world’s oldest orchestra, a jazz diva’s performance and a production of a popular children’s story are just some of the enticing live shows that you can see in Hong Kong’s neighbouring cities across the Greater Bay Area this autumn. Read on for more details. 1. Nine Treasures – Seeking The Absolute Tour 2025 Catch the Nine Treasures, an Inner Mongolian folk metal band, on their nationwide tour in Guangzhou and Shenzhen at the end of October. View this post on... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3327984/jacob-collier-west-end-play-5-china-greater-bay-area-events-october-and-november-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3327984/jacob-collier-west-end-play-5-china-greater-bay-area-events-october-and-november-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Geoffrey Chan,Brad Kininmonth Geoffrey Chan,Brad Kininmonth For cities around the world, hosting the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games is often seen as both a prestigious honour and a daunting economic burden. The need to construct sports complexes, modernise transport networks and expand accommodation capacity can saddle hosts with debt and infrastructure that often falls into disuse post-Games. But what if the host has the DNA for hosting a successful Olympics and can surmount this financial strain? What comes to mind is the Greater Bay Area – a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324566/why-greater-bay-area-should-host-2036-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324566/why-greater-bay-area-should-host-2036-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na It is all about music in the Greater Bay Area this October, with concerts from some of the biggest names in Cantopop, as well as a performance by American rapper Travis Scott, plus a major music festival. Read on for more details on what is going on in cities near Hong Kong. 1. Strawberry Music Festival Guangzhou The 2025 Guangzhou Super Strawberry Festival will take place at the city’s Nansha Music Showcase from October 2-4. The three-day extravaganza, among China’s biggest outdoor music... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3324334/travis-scott-leon-lai-xg-5-china-greater-bay-area-music-events-october-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3324334/travis-scott-leon-lai-xg-5-china-greater-bay-area-music-events-october-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 23:15:14 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is hosting a range of ambitious cultural events in September that Hong Kong residents can enjoy. Here are a few highlights to look out. 1. Real Banksy: Banksy is NoWhere A wide selection of works by street artist Banksy is being showcased in Shenzhen’s Sea World Culture and Arts Centre. The anonymous artist’s provocative artworks – spanning graffiti, installations and prints – tackle global political and social issues with dark humour and satire. There are signature... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3320890/5-greater-bay-area-shows-and-concerts-september-2025-catch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3320890/5-greater-bay-area-shows-and-concerts-september-2025-catch?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 05:00:16 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu For the boss of Hong Kong’s largest retail chain – which operates Wellcome, Mannings and 7-Eleven – the key to retaining customers is simple: ensure stores match prices in Shenzhen. DFI Retail Group, formerly known as Dairy Farm, has increased the number of countries it imports from to 54 from 26 over the last year, helping to bring prices down by 20 per cent, according to group chief executive Scott Price. A tie-up six weeks ago with mainland Chinese fresh food platform Dingdong (Cayman) has... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3320582/dfi-cut-wellcomes-prices-compete-shenzhen-hongkongers-grocery-trolleys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3320582/dfi-cut-wellcomes-prices-compete-shenzhen-hongkongers-grocery-trolleys?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:30:07 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Passenger traffic at airports across China’s Greater Bay Area continued to rise in the first half of 2025, with Guangzhou and Shenzhen leading the region’s aviation rebound. Guangzhou’s Baiyun Airport handled 40.04 million passengers during the period, up 9.2 per cent year on year, while Shenzhen’s Baoan Airport served 32.55 million – a 10.8 per cent increase, according to figures released by the two airports. Both have now surpassed their pre-pandemic highs. International traffic at both... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3319980/chinas-shenzhen-guangzhou-airports-hit-record-highs-surpass-pre-covid-passenger-levels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3319980/chinas-shenzhen-guangzhou-airports-hit-record-highs-surpass-pre-covid-passenger-levels?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:30:08 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na Cai Guo-qiang is one of China’s most famous living artists. But for those familiar with the gunpowder paintings and outdoor pyrotechnic spectacles that made his name, his latest exhibition in Macau may be a bit of a head-scratcher. “cAI Lab 2.0 – Is It Your Gaze That Meets Mine, or Mine That Seeks Yours?” is taking place at the MGM Macau as part of the wider Art Macao festival 2025. The exhibition’s title, while not clarifying much, does hint at having something to do with AI. All of the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3319787/chinese-artist-cai-guo-qiang-uses-ai-create-his-gunpowder-art-macau-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3319787/chinese-artist-cai-guo-qiang-uses-ai-create-his-gunpowder-art-macau-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:15:08 +0000 Ken Chu Ken Chu Earlier this year, Hong Kong launched its first fully electric ferry. In June, jurisdictions within the Greater Bay Area development zone marked a national event for the environment. Against this backdrop, a quiet but important shift is under way. Policymakers in the Greater Bay Area are no longer just thinking about sustainability; they are setting it in motion. With the development zone becoming a hub for experimentation in smart infrastructure and climate innovation, the time is ripe to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3319224/when-travellers-think-sustainability-make-them-think-greater-bay-area?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3319224/when-travellers-think-sustainability-make-them-think-greater-bay-area?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jul 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Visiting China used to be a costly, time-consuming process. Obtaining a Chinese visa often requires filling out pages of paperwork, paying more than US$100, and waiting for days for the documents to be processed. But things have changed rapidly over the past few years, as Beijing has introduced a slew of new visa-free entry policies in a bid to attract more foreign visitors and boost the country’s tourism sector. Most famously, the country now allows travellers from certain countries that are... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3314612/5-ways-enter-mainland-china-without-visa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3314612/5-ways-enter-mainland-china-without-visa?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:30:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying In Hong Kong, one of the world’s most expensive cities, 79 yuan (US$11) will get you a set lunch for one. But, to the surprise of many, it will buy a day tour for two people, with lunch and a visit to several attractions thrown in. With such budget tours becoming increasingly popular among mainland Chinese visitors, especially those from the nearby cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Guangzhou, the Post joined one on a weekday to see how they operated. At 8.30am, a coach packed with about 60... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3314411/how-us11-can-get-you-day-trip-2-plus-lunch-pricey-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3314411/how-us11-can-get-you-day-trip-2-plus-lunch-pricey-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Jun 2025 01:00:21 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na From electrifying performances by international pop stars to a Mongolian singing sensation, there is plenty of world-class entertainment on offer this July in the Greater Bay Area. Below is our pick of upcoming performances in Macau and cities just across the border with mainland China, all easily accessible from Hong Kong. 1. Charlie Puth – Something New II tour View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charlie Puth (@charlieputh) American pop sensation... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3313297/who-see-greater-bay-area-july-2025-charlie-puth-richard-clayderman-and-kenny-g?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3313297/who-see-greater-bay-area-july-2025-charlie-puth-richard-clayderman-and-kenny-g?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Jun 2025 04:45:07 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na Fancy catching the many big acts that are taking to the stage in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other Greater Bay Area cities? Launching this month is the Post’s curated list of coming performances, all within easy reach of Hong Kong, with a focus on those likely to appeal most to an international audience. 1. Yang Liping’s The Peacock Dongguan Magnolia Theatre will stage Yang Liping’s 2022 dance drama The Peacock. Yang, a celebrated contemporary dancer from China’s Bai ethnic minority group, rose to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3312370/5-greater-bay-area-shows-and-concerts-june-2025-see-broadway-musical-dance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3312370/5-greater-bay-area-shows-and-concerts-june-2025-see-broadway-musical-dance?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 May 2025 01:45:07 +0000 Natasha Rogai Natasha Rogai The Bolshoi Ballet’s appearance in Shenzhen was part of the company’s third tour to China in as many years – Beijing in 2023, Shanghai in 2024 and this year Beijing and Shenzhen. After a hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, this was a golden opportunity to see the new generation of dancers who have been making waves in Moscow since 2020. A glittering line-up that included no fewer than 10 principal dancers plus numerous soloists produced outstanding dancing, confirming that the Bolshoi remains... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3310640/bolshoi-ballet-put-stunning-show-shenzhen-china-featuring-surfeit-talent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3310640/bolshoi-ballet-put-stunning-show-shenzhen-china-featuring-surfeit-talent?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 May 2025 10:15:07 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Shunde is a wonderful place to go if you like to eat. Often hailed as the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine, the Unesco-designated City of Gastronomy in southern China’s Pearl River Delta is a culinary paradise and a training ground for many top Chinese chefs. Shunde – spelled Shun Tak in Cantonese – is officially a district of Foshan city but is administered independently and widely considered by locals as a separate city. It is relatively lush and green for such a thriving area in the delta,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3309963/why-shunde-chinas-south-cantonese-food-heaven-delicious-dishes-amaze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3309963/why-shunde-chinas-south-cantonese-food-heaven-delicious-dishes-amaze?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 May 2025 05:07:08 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen The Bolshoi Ballet dance company is performing in Shenzhen on May 14 and 15, the only stop in southern China as part of a tour that also include dates in Beijing. Founded in 1776 as part of the Bolshoi Theatre opera house in Moscow, Russia, the Bolshoi Ballet is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet companies in the world. Its international activities have been severely limited since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many countries have imposed de facto bans on... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3308372/bolshoi-ballets-china-tour-visit-shenzhen-and-beijing-not-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3308372/bolshoi-ballets-china-tour-visit-shenzhen-and-beijing-not-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:16:58 +0000 It has long been common for Hong Kong residents to escape to the hills at weekends, but now a similar passion for mountain trails is sweeping across China’s Greater Bay Area. Around 50km (30 miles) north of the city of Shaoguan, in northern Guangdong province, towering crimson cliffs rise above lush forests and winding streams, drawing young and old alike. In the Danxia Shan national geopark tens of millions of years of erosion and tectonic activity have sculpted red sedimentary rock into... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3305235/geopark-guangdong-southern-china-rewards-hikers-panoramic-views-phallic-rock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3305235/geopark-guangdong-southern-china-rewards-hikers-panoramic-views-phallic-rock?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Apr 2025 23:15:11 +0000 Jiangmen, with its proximity to maritime trade routes and to cities such as Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, is a commercial hub and an important gateway within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of southern China. Its name, meaning “river gate” in Chinese, refers to the city’s location in the Pearl River Delta at the confluence of the Xi and Peng rivers and to the Penglai and Yandun mountains to the city’s north and south. Its role as a trading centre goes back to the late Yuan dynasty... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3301255/5-must-see-places-jiangmen-greater-bay-area-china-including-ip-man-filming-location?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3301255/5-must-see-places-jiangmen-greater-bay-area-china-including-ip-man-filming-location?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:15:16 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na On March 2, conductor Zubin Mehta and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra will perform a concert in Shenzhen, in southern China, this weekend followed by one in nearby Guangzhou the following day. Joining them as a soloist is German-Korean violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. The programme will feature Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture to Oberon, Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36. The concerts form part of the orchestra’s spring... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3300138/zubin-mehta-and-west-eastern-divan-orchestra-play-shenzhen-guangzhou-not-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3300138/zubin-mehta-and-west-eastern-divan-orchestra-play-shenzhen-guangzhou-not-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Feb 2025 07:15:09 +0000 Mabel Lui Mabel Lui When Miguel Peñarroja Canós first learned about Youth Music Culture The Greater Bay Area (YMCG), there was no question that he wanted to take part in the 10-day intensive music training camp and festival based in Guangzhou, China. Although the Spanish clarinettist had previously lived in Vienna, Austria – the “capital of classical music” – and was already a working musician playing concerts across Europe, he had seen few platforms that offered the opportunity to train with a maestro like British... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3299581/how-daniel-harding-led-chinese-youth-music-camp-lets-rising-stars-learn-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3299581/how-daniel-harding-led-chinese-youth-music-camp-lets-rising-stars-learn-best?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:15:10 +0000 In recent years, Shenzhen, the Chinese metropolis in Guangdong province known as “the Silicon Valley of China”, has become a very popular destination in the Greater Bay Area, especially for those living in Hong Kong, which is only 30km away. Thanks to its affordable accommodation, dining and massage offerings, the city has been attracting plenty of Hong Kong visitors, almost dethroning Macau, the gambling capital of Asia, as their favourite weekend getaway. The appeal, however, also extends to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3297381/your-guide-shenzhen-where-stay-eat-unwind-and-shop-greater-bay-area-city-and-what-know-about-silicon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3297381/your-guide-shenzhen-where-stay-eat-unwind-and-shop-greater-bay-area-city-and-what-know-about-silicon?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Feb 2025 04:00:08 +0000 Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in southern China, is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Hong Kong. But it rewards those who visit with a blend of history, vibrant modernity and culinary delights. Formerly called Canton, it is the birthplace of Cantonese cooking. Today, the food offerings in this bustling metropolis can best be summarised as affordable luxury – one can enjoy great meals without breaking the bank. For everything from dim sum to roast pigeon, congee and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3296172/dim-sum-dessert-soup-5-best-guangzhou-restaurants-visit-your-next-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3296172/dim-sum-dessert-soup-5-best-guangzhou-restaurants-visit-your-next-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jan 2025 04:45:08 +0000 Cheung Hok-hang Cheung Hok-hang A city of 9.6 million people roughly 130km (80 miles) from Hong Kong, Foshan is full of cultural heritage and culinary delights. The city is already known for having one of China’s best private art museums. The He Art Museum, designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, is owned by the family behind electrical appliance giant Midea and located in Shunde district, on the outskirts of the city. Alternative cultural attractions such as Art Field Nanhai have popped up in recent years as the local... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3295593/weekend-art-getaway-hong-kong-foshan-2-day-itinerary-unique-event-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3295593/weekend-art-getaway-hong-kong-foshan-2-day-itinerary-unique-event-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jan 2025 03:15:07 +0000 Peggy Sito Peggy Sito In the second part of our series on Macau’s integrated resort operators, Peggy Sito looks at how Wynn Macau is adopting the playbook of its Las Vegas parent to capture the hearts and wallets of visitors, as it diversifies its earnings beyond the gambling tables. Click here for the first part. Last autumn, Lamborghini’s US$4 million Veneno Roadster was displayed in the lobbies of Wynn Macau’s flagship hotels, attracting large crowds of racing fans, automobile enthusiasts and tourists from... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3295196/wynn-looks-vegas-remodel-macaus-us28-billion-casino-hub-14-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3295196/wynn-looks-vegas-remodel-macaus-us28-billion-casino-hub-14-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jan 2025 02:00:12 +0000 Travel within south China’s Greater Bay Area took off in a big way in 2024 and a new visa-free arrangement is only likely to increase visitor numbers. While Shenzhen has dominated the headlines – particularly regarding how food and leisure there were cheaper than in Hong Kong – other cities are expecting interest from tourists in 2025. Guangzhou is one of them. Its new “Line 11” – a 31-station underground line that loops around the city – will make it even easier to visit attractions including... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3292735/3-fascinating-places-visit-guangzhou-and-how-get-there-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3292735/3-fascinating-places-visit-guangzhou-and-how-get-there-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Dec 2024 23:15:06 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na Macau is repositioning itself as a destination for cultural tourism, and its casino hotels play a key role in driving the citywide effort. Coinciding with Macau’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty, these hotels are hosting a variety of cultural events. Such events range from extravagant performances that blend technology with traditional Chinese cultural heritage, to more introspective showcases where artists offer their interpretations of Macau’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3291769/4-macau-shows-and-art-exhibitions-celebrate-its-heritage-and-chinese-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3291769/4-macau-shows-and-art-exhibitions-celebrate-its-heritage-and-chinese-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Dec 2024 08:15:10 +0000 Cheung Hok-hang Cheung Hok-hang They may lack the international profile of the recent Art Basel Miami week, but a series of art fairs and exhibitions that took place in December in three neighbouring cities in southern China was a reminder that the contemporary art scene in this part of the country is roaring with life. Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shunde in China’s Greater Bay Area held four concurrent art fairs and numerous exhibitions of their own in the first week of December, making it an unofficial art week of unprecedented... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3290615/guangdongs-contemporary-art-scene-taking-decembers-unofficial-art-week-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3290615/guangdongs-contemporary-art-scene-taking-decembers-unofficial-art-week-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Dec 2024 05:15:07 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter Hong Kong has one of the highest concentrations of US dollar billionaires in the world. The city is second only to New York in terms of the total number of billionaires, according to a 2024 Forbes list. As a consequence, our city’s five-star hotels aren’t just competing over expense account-wielding business travellers, they’re also jostling for position to land the biggest deal makers visiting Asia’s financial hub. Hong Kong is home to some of the world’s grandest suites, with the biggest names... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3290522/hong-kongs-most-luxurious-hotel-suite-island-shangri-las-newly-renovated-presidential-super-suite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3290522/hong-kongs-most-luxurious-hotel-suite-island-shangri-las-newly-renovated-presidential-super-suite?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:00:14 +0000 China is about to open the latest addition to a growing network of mega transport links in Southern China’s Greater Bay Area. The Huangmaohai Cross-sea Passage – a 31km (19-mile) crossing that connects the city of Zhuhai in the Pearl River Delta to cities west of Huangmao River – is scheduled to go into operation at 3pm on Wednesday, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The link – which crosses both land and water, consists of two cable-stayed bridges, two tunnels and four interchange... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3290129/chinas-huangmaohai-mega-link-about-boost-greater-bay-area-powerhouse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3290129/chinas-huangmaohai-mega-link-about-boost-greater-bay-area-powerhouse?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:10:45 +0000 Macau is aiming to diversify its appeal as a tourist destination by expanding its cultural offerings. A case in the point: the new Poly MGM Museum, which opened last month at MGM Macau. The result of a partnership between the Poly Culture Group and MGM Macau, the museum is seeking to transform cultural tourism in the Greater China region. The Poly MGM Museum marries Eastern and Western philosophy with advanced design and technology across almost 2,000 square metres within MGM Macau. Its... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3289600/style-edit-how-new-poly-mgm-museum-collaboration-between-poly-culture-group-and-mgm-macau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3289600/style-edit-how-new-poly-mgm-museum-collaboration-between-poly-culture-group-and-mgm-macau?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Dec 2024 02:00:14 +0000 For hundreds of years, people all over the world have written letters to express their affection and longing for family and loved ones who are far away. This is no different in China, where filial piety has been ingrained into people thanks to Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist values that have been enshrined for centuries. The Chaoshan region, in eastern Guangdong, is home to a particular historical culture of letter writing called qiaopi, also known as Teochew letters. Qiaopi – qiao referring to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3288108/chinese-migrants-letters-home-happy-heartbreaking-display-museum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3288108/chinese-migrants-letters-home-happy-heartbreaking-display-museum?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Nov 2024 23:40:37 +0000 Haining Gao Haining Gao / https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3284730/chinas-greater-bay-area?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3284730/chinas-greater-bay-area?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Nov 2024 04:44:36 +0000 Shenzhen may be known as a technology hub and centre of innovation, but in recent years the southern Chinese city’s vibrant art scene has also drawn visitors, and it is now home to some of China’s leading art museums. But you don’t have to go to a museum or art gallery to enjoy the art in Shenzhen – it can be enjoyed while you dine and go shopping. Here are five must-visit art spaces in Shenzhen. 1. Shenzhen Art Museum (new venue) Shenzhen Art Museum’s new location, which opened in November... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3284472/5-amazing-shenzhen-art-and-architectural-spots-show-chinese-city-new-light?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3284472/5-amazing-shenzhen-art-and-architectural-spots-show-chinese-city-new-light?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 04:15:07 +0000 Salina Li Salina Li A new survey from HSBC showed that seven out of 10 members of Generation Z view travel as a key motivation for work and that they started investing at a younger age than previous generations. “Lifestyle preferences and financial needs differ across generations,” said Brian Hui, head of customer propositions and marketing of wealth and personal banking at HSBC Hong Kong. “Nearly half of our Gen Z respondents prioritise saving for short-term goals, often linked to enjoying life.” Members of Gen Z,... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3284208/gen-z-saves-enjoy-travel-short-term-goals-and-started-investing-younger-age-hsbc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3284208/gen-z-saves-enjoy-travel-short-term-goals-and-started-investing-younger-age-hsbc?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:08:30 +0000 Drawn by its affordable food, shopping and entertainment, many Hong Kong residents choose to spend their weekends in the neighbouring city of Shenzhen in China. Some venture to Guangzhou, another nearby city that has its share of Cantonese cuisine, pristine malls and cultural destinations. But further east in Guangdong province is a little-known city that offers something quite different. Shanwei – not to be confused with nearby Shantou – is a coastal city less than two hours from Hong Kong that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3283207/what-makes-shanwei-guangdong-ideal-weekend-break-sunsets-seafood-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3283207/what-makes-shanwei-guangdong-ideal-weekend-break-sunsets-seafood-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Oct 2024 23:15:14 +0000 Shortly after Hong Kong opened up its borders following the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong-based curator Chris Wan Feng presented a two-part exhibition called “Blue Throat” in Shenzhen, southern China, featuring the works of Hong Kong contemporary artists. It was, he said, an attempt to create more cross-border exchanges because the two cities did not really understand each other despite their proximity. A new group exhibition curated by Wan at Shenzhen’s Mangrove Gallery continues this... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3282239/shenzhen-exhibition-shows-how-artists-who-have-left-hong-kong-think-their-city-today?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3282239/shenzhen-exhibition-shows-how-artists-who-have-left-hong-kong-think-their-city-today?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:15:08 +0000 The 36th Macao International Music Festival celebrated the centenary of the death of Giacomo Puccini in style with a magnificent production of Tosca by St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, conducted by Valery Gergiev. Musically and dramatically, it was a triumph from start to finish and drew a tremendous response from the audience. The immaculate ensemble cast was superb down to the smallest role. It was led by a trio of outstanding artists: Tatiana Serjan in the title role, Najmiddin Mavlyanov as... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3281636/mariinsky-theatres-tosca-macau-was-one-best-you-will-ever-see?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3281636/mariinsky-theatres-tosca-macau-was-one-best-you-will-ever-see?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Oct 2024 08:15:08 +0000 For Hong Kong residents looking for somewhere new to enjoy food and fun without the need to travel far, Shenzhen has emerged as a convenient playground. The city was once considered a backwater, but then a tech and industrial boom changed everything. Many of China’s young, upwardly mobile professionals flooded into the city, leading to a population boom and a relatively low average age among its now 17 million inhabitants – just 32.5 years, according to data from 2020. This has resulted in a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3277441/5-shenzhen-restaurants-bars-cafes-your-next-visit-french-chinese-food-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3277441/5-shenzhen-restaurants-bars-cafes-your-next-visit-french-chinese-food-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Sep 2024 05:15:08 +0000 The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is the future of sports events in Hong Kong, and collaboration with mainland cities could even break down barriers that had previously stopped the city from hosting the Asian Games, experts have said. Speaking at the Hong Kong Sports Economy and Tourism Summit, hosted by the South China Morning Post, industry experts stressed that collaboration with the GBA is one piece of the puzzle as the city looks to dive deeper into the sports economy. However, cross-border... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3277502/greater-bay-area-key-hong-kong-sporting-events-could-see-city-host-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3277502/greater-bay-area-key-hong-kong-sporting-events-could-see-city-host-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:00:17 +0000 Since the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in 2018, Zhuhai has become one of the most popular holiday hotspots in southern China’s Greater Bay Area. That was boosted in 2021 by the launch of an official drive to turn its Hengqin Island into a major tourist destination. At the heart of Hengqin is Novotown, an integrated tourism and entertainment project that, since opening in 2019, has become a top short-stay choice, especially for families with young children. As it celebrates its... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3276264/what-do-zhuhai-novotowns-movie-theme-park-xiawan-night-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3276264/what-do-zhuhai-novotowns-movie-theme-park-xiawan-night-market?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:15:10 +0000 Average temperature reached record highs in China in July, but Shenzhen’s indoor ski resorts offered a stark contrast to the heat that had descended on China’s Southern tech hub, while also providing a boost to cooling consumption that is weighing on the national economy. With sub-zero temperatures, artificial snow, glass igloos and customers bundled up in colourful ski gear, indoor skiing has emerged as a surprise hit in Shenzhen, with bookings via Chinese shopping platform Meituan almost... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3273412/chinas-winter-sports-push-heats-experience-economy-gathers-pace-indoor-skiing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3273412/chinas-winter-sports-push-heats-experience-economy-gathers-pace-indoor-skiing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Aug 2024 09:31:14 +0000 With post-pandemic travel to mainland China growing, many Hong Kong residents are on the lookout for weekend getaway options. Zhongshan, renamed from Xiangshan in 1925 to honour the “Father of Modern China” Sun Yat-sen (who is better known in China as Sun Zhongshan), has many 19th century buildings, parks and memorials. In recent years, the city has become a popular destination for sightseeing, dining and shopping. The new Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, made up of two bridges over and a tunnel under... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3271642/day-trip-zhongshan-hong-kong-how-get-there-what-do-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3271642/day-trip-zhongshan-hong-kong-how-get-there-what-do-city?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jul 2024 23:15:08 +0000 A year and a half after Beijing removed pandemic restrictions, the number of mainland Chinese visiting Hong Kong has increased markedly, but not nearly to pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board shows an average of 2.8 million mainland visitors in the first four months of the year, up from around 3,000 in the first four months of 2022 but down from 4.7 million in January-April 2019. This past weekend, more than 1.2 million Hongkongers marked the long weekend culminating in the... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3268854/hong-kongs-tourism-tapers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3268854/hong-kongs-tourism-tapers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Jul 2024 09:14:33 +0000 After seven years of construction, a massive connector spanning the Pearl River Delta – known as the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link – the newest component of a sprawling infrastructure plan for the Greater Bay Area, is due to open at the end of June, with hopes that it will stimulate closer economic integration in the mega city cluster. The 24km (15 mile) cross-sea span, which will connect the city of Zhongshan with the tech hub of Shenzhen across the Pearl River estuary, comprises two bridges, two... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3267100/chinas-new-shenzhen-zhongshan-mega-link-carries-high-hopes-greater-bay-area-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3267100/chinas-new-shenzhen-zhongshan-mega-link-carries-high-hopes-greater-bay-area-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jun 2024 01:00:15 +0000 Salina Li Salina Li Macau plans to organise public events to showcase the city’s food, from street fare to fine dining, as it exploits its reputation as one of only six Chinese cities recognised by the United Nations for its gastronomic offerings, said the city’s tourism chief. “A lot of people travel to Macau just to have a special meal, or a special experience [at a] restaurant here,” Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), said in an interview. “There are... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3266937/macau-woos-gourmets-citys-gastronomic-offerings-effort-veer-away-gambling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3266937/macau-woos-gourmets-citys-gastronomic-offerings-effort-veer-away-gambling?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jun 2024 23:00:12 +0000