When the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao* Bridge (HKZMB) was first opened, it was the most wondrous construction project ever. An elevated highway over and a six kilometre tunnel under the Pearl River Delta is truly an experience to behold.
We made several trips on the bus (costs about HK$65 and depart every 5-15 minutes) over from the Lantau passenger clearance station (a man made island just across the road from HK International Airport) to the Macau and Zhuhai artificial island some 55km away.
There is nothing quite like traveling at 80kph on a double decker bus on a 6-lane highway in the middle of the open sea. Takes about 40 minutes. Then immigration into Macau or Zhuhai
The first part is for vehicles to get used to driving on the right, then the road passes by the HKIA and hugs the Lantau coast. Then the highway curves out into the sea and beyond.
Private vehicles need a permit to cross the bridge with a booking required at least 24 hours in advance and a visa is required before entry to Zhuhai. No booking required for the return journey.
Fast, efficient, well organised and managed for a truly unique experience. We feel there's plenty of scope for a 'bus to nowhere' with tourists boarding a coach on the HK side, crossing the bridge, then returning without getting off.
Having traveled across this engineering marvel several times, we are still filled with awe each time, as it was an incredible feat of construction when it first opened.
*Is it Macau or Macao?
Both "Macau" and "Macao" are correct spellings.
- "Macau" is the Portuguese spelling
- "Macao" is the English spelling and used in official contexts and by local authorities.
Despite the official preference for "Macao" in English, both spellings are widely accepted and understood.
About Ivan Theodoulou
Ivan Theodoulou is founder of Eight PR, a PR agency in Hong Kong that specializes in tech, law, and corporate PR. He first visited China in 1987 by train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou and has since traveled extensively on the mainland and in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Ivan passed his China driving test in March 2024 and now drives regularly in the GBA.
Places visited in China (by car, plane, train, high speed train, ferry, coach, bus) include: Beijing, Beijou, Chengdu, Dali, Daya Bay, Dongguan, Foshan, Ganzhou, Gaoming, Guangzhou, Hainan, Hailing Island, Heishan, Huizhou, Junan, Kunming, Lijang, Longjiang, Nanhai, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shilin Yi, Shunde, Wuzhou, Xiamen, Yingde, Yinghe, Zhuhai, Zhaoqing.