In southeastern China, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is emerging as an attractive destination for leisure travelers, including Filipino families.
The region offers a wide range of attractions: from family entertainment and cultural sites to modern urban experiences.
Enabling the seamless connection to the GBA from the Philippines is Cathay Pacific, which offers air-and-coach connections to the Zhuhai and Macao ports of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. This offers added convenience, with streamlined immigration procedures and baggage transfers. Visitors also save on travel fees, as they have to settle them only once upon arrival in HK.
Talk about experiencing intermodality (plane, then bus or ferry to the port city), which Cathay Pacific encourages for trips to GBA, making travel a real comfort. This is also a special offering from the airline, which is currently celebrating its 80th year of flying travelers to destinations worldwide.
As a long-time partner of the airline, Panda Travel organizes GBA tour packages, thanks to its sales team’s deep familiarity with the region and the many fun, fantastic activities families can enjoy there.
Early connections
OUR familiarization tour started at the NAIA Terminal 3 with a warm welcome and briefing from Cathay Pacific’s Anna Lee. The airline’s kiosk made check-in a breeze for our group, which included select media members, Panda Travel’s trade partners, and the airline’s officers John Carillo and Sherlie Taguiam.
According to Lee, what elevates Cathay Pacific’s proposition as a carrier is its global network and its connection to Hong Kong as an international aviation hub.
‘We provide convenient access to destinations across the GBA through a range of air, sea and land transport options,’ Lee said.
As a first-timer aboard a Cathay Pacific flight, the economy seat was surprisingly comfortable, with enough legroom to ‘reboot’ after an early Tuesday schedule. Sated with a warm chicken noodle meal, the smooth flight lulled me into a snooze…
Bright skies and warm weather, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius, greeted our group upon landing in Hong Kong-the acknowledged regional and global nexus to the GBA. After a breather at a far-end terminal, we boarded a cross-boundary coach that traversed the famous Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. At 55 kilometers, it combines spans, artificial islands, and an undersea tunnel as an impressive feat of engineering.
After a 45-minute drive across the awe-inspiring bridge, our group-led by Panda Travel’s Irene Jean Chua-Ong-arrived at Zhuhai-Macao Port. Immigration clearance was quick, and retrieving our luggage was easy, reflecting Cathay Pacific’s intermodal convenience into the GBA.
Back on the road, we boarded another e-bus and headed through Zhuhai’s busy streets. It was a bustling workday, with modern vehicles filling the highways. Downtown, the air buzzed with delivery riders and workers heading to the office or lunch.
Speaking of which, we headed to our first meal: signature Chinese dishes of steamed fish, fresh cruciferous and leafy vegetables, sweet-and-sour meat, and the staple hot tea, among many others. (Over the hearty feast, the group reminisced about Oriental restaurants in Manila that have either survived the passage of time or are in danger of closing shop.)
‘Pearl River’
billboards do the job socmed
WE continued our sojourn across the resort city of Zhuhai-which, according to a 2014 report by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was ranked ‘the most liveable city in China.’ One will find that the locale is actually a treasure trove of destinations at the heart of the ‘Pearl River.’
Zhuhai is home to an enclave of resorts under the Chimelong network, which are sure to give parents, and especially their children, the grandest time of their lives yet. Our group discovered a vast array of distinct leisure attractions within that will keep a family busy for a day or longer.
During our hotel stays with the Chimelong group, we were greeted by striking architecture at the imposing lobbies. For instance, the Hengqin Chimelong Resort and Hotel featured domes buttressed by columns shaped like whale sharks, along with motifs of underwater life. It set the stage for its main attraction: the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom.
After a quick electric-cart ride from the hotel, our group entered the park and was dazzled by a full LED canopy leading to themed rides, animal exhibits, and countless souvenir stores. In the evening, we were awestruck by a 30-minute fireworks, water-acrobatics, and light show.
Numbers testify to the park’s drawing power: In 2024, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom hosted almost 13 million guests, ranking sixth among the world’s most-visited theme parks, and the most-visited one that is not branded as Disney or Universal. Its aquariums include record-setting attractions recognized by Guinness World Records.
In the late afternoon, we were enthralled by a circus show at the Chimelong Theater. Performers from 28 countries executed gravity-defying acts. Tamed animals shared the spotlight, including occasional appearances by large birds flying overhead.
The following morning, our delegation learned more about the Chimelong theme park group. With three resorts, eight theme parks, three international shows, and nine resort hotels, the group caters to about 40 million visitors yearly; top official Samuel So said the brand is currently fifth worldwide in attendance.
Soon after, our group headed to Chimelong Spaceship, recognized by Guinness World Records as the ‘world’s largest indoor theme park.’ The sprawling complex looked like a sci-fi movie set, with interstellar imagery and structures that seemed to transport guests to another dimension. The sprawling complex looked like a sci-fi movie set, with interstellar imagery and structures that transported guests to another dimension of sight and sound.
Robots greeted parkgoers and, inside the main dome, performed stunts like boxing in a ring. A wild multi-dimensional space ride took passengers into space and underwater, with occasional splashes to complete the virtual experience.
More water attractions awaited us, such as aquariums and a vast performance hall where three orcas wowed audiences (more splashes for those in the front seats!), and we were surprised when trained pelicans zoomed across the pool. Entertainment also included education, as the venue encouraged everyone to learn about marine conservation. (I overheard that Chimelong allocates a substantial budget to animal care and facility upkeep, which helps maintain the network’s outstanding quality).
Within the Spaceship’s grounds, and while touring the Chimelong group’s hotel chain, we checked out the surroundings and the well-appointed themed rooms, classified as deluxe, family, and suites, that offer utmost comfort and relaxation while you spend days immersed in the wonderful attractions.
Guangzhou’s charm
BACK on the road, we headed to Guangzhou after a hearty buffet lunch, taking in the expansive expressways and highways that led us to this charming, ultra-progressive city.
We checked in at the resort’s eponymous hotel, where the lobby’s glass-walled restaurants featured fauna that can be seen up close: a couple of Siberian tigers in one setting; then flamingos, spoon-billed storks, and interesting birds in another enclosure.
The hotel’s sumptuous dinner banquet prepared us for another treat-this time, another ‘record-breaking’ visual feast at the Chimelong International Circus Show. Guinness calls it the world’s largest permanent circus structure, with equally grand, breathtaking performances by its international cast, and, of course, the resort’s trained animal residents earning their places on stage, and even in the spectators’ area. That the arena was jam-packed on a weekday was a testament to the show’s appeal to all ages.
From the Chimelong complex, we further ventured into the heart of Guangzhou. Our group stopped for a quick look at the China Hotel, which had remarkably transformed from a decades-old establishment into a chic, stylish hotel under new management. Afterward, we checked into The Westin, where I was personally amazed by its lush, luxurious interiors.
We were still on the move come nighttime, and for a change, enjoyed dinner aboard a cruise ship that sailed us along the Pearl River. After dinner, we took in a panoramic light show as Guangzhou’s skyscrapers illuminated the Pearl River. Rising above them was the 600-meter Canton Tower, its colorful lights reflected in the water alongside those of the other buildings. The spectacle captured the energy of a metropolis that comes alive at night.
The next morning, our group immersed ourselves more in Guangzhou’s essence. We made a quick stop at the expansive Huacheng (Flower City) Square and snapped photos with the Canton Tower as the daytime backdrop.
Then, we headed to Shamian Island, a European-inspired former enclave that once housed foreign delegations. Waterways surround the area, with tree-lined cobblestone streets and 19th-century Western architecture. We each ordered drinks from the Luckin branch there, where I sampled the IG-popular Orange Americano. (Judging from its taste, plus the Coconut Latte I had the other day, the brand can really give its global designer-coffee competitor a run for its money.)
An ultra-filling Cantonese cuisine lunch awaited us at Panxi Restaurant, where we also took the chance to ‘hoard’ mooncakes and some champuy for pasalubong. Having more than enough calories to burn (we averaged about 15,000 steps daily since Day 1!), we took on the challenge of traversing Beijing Road (where I took the chance to avail of a traditional foot spa) and Zhongshan Road for more shopping (for those of us who still had enough yuan and RMB left). The group savored (yet another) feast-like dinner at Landmark Hotel.
Sensational Shenzhen
WE bade Guangzhou goodbye the next day-our last in the Greater Bay Area-and traveled by electric coach to another ultra-progressive place that is Shenzhen.
On that sunny Saturday in September, the city welcomed and surprised us with its stunning skyscrapers (dominated by the towering Ping An Finance Center), manicured parks, and network of high-end underground shopping malls.
While parks naturally attract visitors, one in Nanshan District offers a glimpse of Shenzhen’s technological ambitions. Humanoid robots serve coffee and snacks, while drones deliver food and beverages ordered through an app. Such innovations reinforce the city’s reputation as a technology hub.
Our six-day exposure in the GBA neared completion when we arrived at Shekou Port, which still forms part of Cathay Pacific’s intermodal travel in the area. Checking in our luggage was a breeze, with the airline’s local officer personally overseeing it. She explained that we could claim our baggage upon arrival in Hong Kong, which made travel even more convenient, minus the hassle of carrying it on our ferry trip (a traveler can choose between this mode and land travel, like the one we took when we first arrived). We passed immigration and baggage inspection once.
While waiting for our ride across the Pearl River Estuary, we relaxed in the Cathay Pacific Lounge and enjoyed the light meals there (not to mention the choco-flavored Venchi premium ice cream!). We eased into the sunset cruise across the channel aboard a well-maintained ferry.
Back at HK International Airport, Cathay Pacific made the final leg of our familiarization trip extra memorable by giving us access to two lounges, not just one, as business-class passengers.
Never mind if the flight back to Manila was just under three hours. The CX flight crew’s attention to detail was commendable and made the near-midnight trip chill. Indeed, it lived up to its brand promise: Feels good to move.
As a first-timer in the Greater Bay Area, a fitting description of our days there would be magical, eye-opening, and liberating. Cathay Pacific and Panda Travel made it possible, and they will create similar opportunities for many travelers through their expertise and familiarity with the region, as well as their ability to create unique experiences for those who want to open their world to greater panoramas. All photos by Mike Policarpio/BM