Shenzhen
Destination Guide

The Ultimate Guide Before You Plan for your Next Trip

The city that connects Hong Kong with the Mainland China is known for its vibrant culture and dynamic tourist entertainment avenues. The land which opened its door for the Western brands and shops is also the first Chinese city to host its own Stock Exchange. Which was previously considered as just a market city is now a commercial and tourist hub of China with facilities and sites which are comparable to that of Hong Kong. The deep rooted history and the gorgeous scenic appeal of the place are sure to win you over. With its multiple fabulous themed parks, Shenzhen is definitely a place for the tourists.

Attractions in Shenjhen

From family-oriented themed parks to enchanting historic sites there are many attractions in Shenzhen for you to enjoy.

Shenzhen Museum

Opened in 1988 this museum is dedicated to the vibrant past and the colorful present of the city of Shenzhen. Being so close to the sea and the colonial region of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is perhaps China's most internationally exposed region. This museum houses various historic heirlooms along with significant cultural relics. Most of the archaeological findings, which are connected to the city of Shenzhen is kept here in a well-preserved condition. You can have a journey back in the time when Shenzhen was just a market town welcoming foreigners from down south. There is also a separate children's room full of interactive games.

Dapeng Fortress

Built in the year 1394 this fortress in order to defend the Mainland China from the notrious Japanese pirates. The fortress remained strong for another seven centuries as back in the 19th century, this same fortress in the Longhua district of Shenzhen was an important bastion warding off the British invadors during the Opium Wars. The lanes leading to the fortress are lined by hawkers selling different kinds of jellies as they will eagerly tell you tales of the past. There are many myths and mysteries surrounding the place as the neighboring Jiaochangwei Village also has nice facilities for you to spend the night.

Dafen Oil Painting Village

This is definitely one of Shenzhen's most popular attractions for the tourists because of its pure authenticity and unspoiled beauty. This is by far the largest producer of original oil paintings in the world and many artists still live in this village. Besides original artwork of many Chinese artists there are also replicas of original European masterpieces which you can buy at an affordable price. The entire area is nicely arranged and you can stroll from one stall to the other bargaining with the artists who themselves turn into vendors. You can also find some painters painting right in front of you and it is the best place to buy some real Chinese artwork.

Coco Park

One of Shenzhen's most famous wining and dining destination is the Coco Park. Like most of Shenzhen's fabulous theme parks this park also contains a great variety of entertainment for the tourists. This mall is a great shopping spot to explore in Shenzhen as you will get fashion-wears and other household items belonging to both Chinese and international brands. The place also contains a wide range of restaurants and bars and you can enjoy both Eastern as well as Western cuisine. It is indeed one of China's most westernized shopping centers as there are is also a fabulous multiplex for people to enjoy.

Sea World

Shenzhen's most popular themed park plaza is centered around The Minghua, which is a very enchanting ocean liner built in the year 1962 by the French. Featured by charming restaurants and pubs this place is a treat for the foreign tourists. Themed areas and restaurants will provide you plenty of options to choose from whilst the water fountain display with a huge medieval ship in its backdrop is certainly a spectacle to enjoy. There are also live performances done by various Chinese and international bands as you can also venture around all the new shopping malls, movie theaters, and art galleries.

Happy Valley

One of Shenzhen's popular themed parks, Happy Valley, is in close proximity to the Windows of the World. Interestingly this park is divided into nine different themed areas like the Gold Mine Town and the Cartoon City. It is yet another classic Shenzhen style themed park with its western appeal. A perfect place to come with your family and kids. The park also offers a very large walking area for the tourists to enjoy while there are also over hundred of rides and experience centers for you to enjoy. Happy Valley, as the name suggests, evokes very jaunty vibe and it is an absolute favorite among the local kids.

OCT Loft & O-CAT

This is a former industry park located at the eastern part of the city of Shenzhen. Due to the presence of the Industrial Youth Hostel this place has a very hip vibe adhered to it and it is by far Shenzhen's most trendy destination for the tourists to come and enjoy. The entire area is lined by various design shops, fabulous cafes and restaurants, and trendy art galleries showcasing the works of all the modern artists and painters. It is one of the few places in entire China where you can have a decent "cold drip" coffee. La Patisserie is also around the corner which a beautiful oriental garden. The O-CAT is also a rennovated 2-storey warehouse which is used as a art gallery.

Window of the World

Shenzhen's global inclination is well reflected in this miniature park where they have recreated all the famous destinations of the world and also created themed zones dedicated to some of the special ones. The detailing of the models will surely catch your attention as the miniature of the Sydney Opera House and the The Palace of Versailles are indeed worth looking at. The park as an entire model of the Grand Canyon and you can enjoy a trip via a raft to it. The Mount Rushmore model is also very enchanting as there are also many famous European monuments also like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Apart from the miniature models the park also offers an indoor ski arena which is fun to explore and you can have a ride on the cable cars and enjoy the nice view of the green.

Shenzhen Museum

Dapeng Fortress

Dafen Oil Painting Village

Coco Park

Sea World

Happy Valley

OCT Loft & O-CAT

Window of the World

Shenzhen Museum

Dapeng Fortress

Dafen Oil Painting Village

Coco Park

Nanhai E-Cool

A short stroll from the XingHua Road connecting the famous Sea World of Shenzhen will lead you to this charming set-up which was previously a Sanyo factory. The place is lined by various small cafes offering a nice view and variety of cakes and snacks. Apart from cafes there are wine bars, restaurants, and nice design shops nestled under the shady trees and this place is a perfect destination for you to spend you afternoons. Read more There is a thriving Chinese locality with a cosmopolitan appeal and this destination for suitable for a nice and long evening walks, shopping for clothes at a bargain, and enjoy the scrumptious seafood and Beijing ducks served in the local eateries. Read less

Dameisha Beaches

The small coastal town of Dameisha offers a magnificent range of beaches where you will find spectcular view of the sea. The beach remains quite busy with people gathering from all corners of China during the summers and also during the festive seasons. There are many Chinese shacks linning the beach. However, if you walk along the beach heading towards the east then you will find many modern hotels and restaurants serving both Chinese and European delicacies. The beach is free for the tourists and it has facilities for diving and there are jetskis for hire.

OCT East Park

The OCT East Park is a treasure trove for nature lovers. The lush green hilly area has a lot of hotels and resorts where you can spend the night. The park is a fabulous luxury resort destination in the heart of the Luhou district of the city of Shenzhen. There is a old Buddhist Temple out there along with ravishing facilities like a hot spring spa a fascinating water park and many other themed attractions. The beautiful tea garden surrounding the place is definitely a highlight of this destination as you can also find a huge country park with a lush green landscapes for the families to come and enjoy.

Meridian View Center

Enjoy the pupil-dialating and breath taking view of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border from the spectcular Meridian View Center. This view center is about 384 meters high from the ground and located on the 69th floor of the building. The facilities are quite nice out there as the authorities there will provide you with telescopes from which you can enjoy the enchanting view of the border. It is indeed a complete view of the entire region where Hong Kong meets Mainland China as you can see the sprawling skyscrapers of Hong Kong along with the view of the sea. You can also find the glimpses of green forestland entangled between the two urban cities.

Nanshan Mountains

The Chinese highlands are as charming as their themed parks and water rides and they also offer you a sense of tranquility that no other place has to offer. The quaint countryside leads way to the marvelous open-air highland landscape for hiking and camping. The hills will allow you to get a nice view of the ocean whilst the gentle breeze will transport you to a dreamland. The remoteness of the place will certain win you over and even if you are not up for camping out in the open you can still find a decent enough hotel nearby.

In the Spotlight

The multi-cultural city of Shenzhen is full of immigrants and expats. It can easily be regarded as China's most vibrant city ever. That is why the culinary seen of this place is also quite varied. Starting from the traditional Chinese and Cantonese foods there is also a strong European influence on the overall restaurant culture of the place. The cafes and the pubs near the shores have a typical Western appeal like you might find in somewhere like Hong Kong. From hot steaming dim sums to Italian pastas, you will find all sorts of food available in the different restaurants of Shenzhen.

Ba Shu Feng : This is Shenzhen's most popular Sichuanese restaurant which was previously set in a multi-storey venue having a rustic appeal. Read More

Now being moved to the basement of a shopping mall the place still attracts a fair amount of crowd purely due to its name and the fabulous food they offer. The place echos a busy vibe as you can always see waiters rushing from the kitchen to the serving area and the food is simply mouthwatering. The spicy Sichuanese appeal is vivid in the crispy duck, chicken chili, and crunchy cauliflower recipes. They also serve authentic Sichuanese herbal tea making it ideal for you to have a complete Chinese culinary experience. Read less

1881 : Located at the Grand Hyatt Hotel this place is one of the best places to dine in entire Shenzhen. This is the place where you will find some authentic Northern Chinese delicacies despite being in the south of this huge nation. Read More

The place has a chic vibe to it and you can expect to encounter a young local crowd who have a taste for fine dinning. The kitchen specializes in traditional Chinese foods and it emphasizes a lot on the cooking method. Here you will find delectable wood fired Beijing duck which is served in slices. You can also definitely order the kang bao style shrimp which is also a very popular item on the list. Read less

The Kitchen : The simplicity in its name often reflects to its humble origin as the restaurant itself is dedicated to the Western expats and immigrants who are staying in Shenzhen. Read More

One of the few places having an original English name this place is a must-visit for the tourists to try out the different western comfort foods like pizzas and burgers and you can also get Tex Mex in here. The vibe is quite busy out here as both the foreigners as well as the locals gather here each evening. The place is hidden behind two popular pubs in Shenzhen's Coco park district and it can get a bit noisy. However, if you wait for your turn you are sure to be rewarded with scrumptious delights. Read less

HaidiLao : A part of China's most popular restaurant chain this place located in the Luoho Districts has the reputation of comforting the hungry souls on chilly winter evenings. Read More

The hot and spicy foods served in this place is ideal for beating the cold as the waiters here will evoke a very busy vibe making you feel good under any circumstances. The place is well-known for its service quality whilst the food itself served fresh and warm. The different kinds of noodles and hot pots will lure you bto try even more as the complementary snacks and tea will be served to you after you are done with your dinner. Read less

Bollywood Cafe : If a long trip at the Oriental land is making you miss home then this cafe will surely help you remember of all the finger-licking foods which you normally have back at home. Read More

From North Indian delights like parathas to our famous Chicken Tandoori, this place is like a mini-India in the heart of the city of Shenzhen. Quite reasonably priced, this place evokes quite a homely appeal and as an Indian you are sure to feel some connection. The tacy decor will provoke a giggle in you as the items like Dal Tadka and Chicken Tikka Masala with Garlic Naan will allow you to savor the authentic Indian flavors. Read less

Technically Shenzhen is in China so Yuan is the main currency which is acceptable by all the shops and the taxi drivers. However, since the borders are open to the people of Hong Kong they also accept Hong Kong Dollars at many places. Now if you are coming to Shenzhen via Hong Kong, then you can use your HKD$ at the local shopping centers, restaurants, and also in taxi. But they will pay you the change in Yuan. That is why it critical that you get all your currency exchanged to Yuan for convenience. Many shopkeepers will lure and tempt you to get the HKD$ exchanged at their shops because of the higher exchange rate. But make sure that you use the registered FOREX centers to get the changes.

Special Tips

Converting all your currencies to Yuan is generally a good idea especially when you are going to Shenzhen via any other destination like Hong Kong of Macau.
Shenzhen is a very cash oriented economy and more the cash you have the better it is for you to spend.
Though there are many ATMs at various corners of Shenzhen they will charge you with enormous transaction rates.
That is why it is important that you get your currencies exchanged at the onset of the journey making it easier for you to do the transaction.
Though many markets and eateries will accept HKD$ they will return the change in Yuan. Also they do not consider the exchange ratio whilst accepting the payment. So, to avoid loss try and pay them in Yuan.

Entertainment & Event

The vibrant culture, the colorful festivals, and the exotic dolphin population in the marine bays make Shenzhen an ideal place to visit.

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

The forest reserves and the national parks of Shenzhen has done a lot to boost the amount of flora and fauna in the region. There are big carnivores like the Chinese tigers, bears, wolves, Siberian tigers, and even some white Bengal tigers in the region. Apart from that there some unique Giant Panda reserves which allows the tourists to get a glimpse of this magnificent beast. Shenzhen also have some fabulous Chinese swan lakes with large black and white swans visible to the tourists. Different kind of deer and grass eating animals are also found in the highlands of Shenzhen.

Due to its proximity to the sea the place also has a rich marine life. The likes of sea lions, spotted dolphins, white fin dolphins, and lemon sharks are visible in the ocean. Shenzhen is also home to 1042 types of different exotic plants. It is more than any other city of China. The Fairy Lake Botanic Garden is home to many varieties of fauna enriching the biodiversity of the region. Apart from the Chinese species the place has also accomodated some foreign variety of plants.
Festivals

Festivals

Festivals

The mix of Cantonese and Sichuanese Chinese cultures has made way to different sorts of festivals in Shenzhen. So, apart from the shopping destinations and the themed parks the tourists also can enjoy the various celebrations The Chongyang Festival is certainly the major festival of the region which is celebrated during the Autumn. It is often associated with good food and drinks and willing tourists are often encouraged to participate. Then there is of course the Longgang Dragon Dance Festival which is celebrated with exotic dancing with vibrant costumes and also there are some fried Hakka food delights which you can enjoy.

This Dragon Dance festival in Shenzhen actually attracts a lot of tourists as the Hakka population of the city come together to celebrate the event with the foreigners. The stalls are set and the exotic dancing will definitely capture your imagination. Pengcheng Golden Autumn Festival is a popular cultural program in Shenzhen which is promoted by the Shenzhen Cultural Bureau and it is also a celebration of the advent of the autumn season. Dameisha International Sand Sculpture Festival held in the beaches of Dameisha is also a well-known festival of Shenzhen.
culture

culture

Culture

The market-oriented economy and the huge influx of the foreigners have shaped the overall culture of Shenzhen. Due to its vibrant markets and small industries Shenzhen was declared as Special Economic Zone back in the year 1980. Internal migration from the various parts of China, apart from the foreign immigration, has also impacted the overall cultural development of the city of Shenzhen. The open economy of Hong Kong has also contributed a lot to the overall development of Shenzhen.

Due to its history of accepting foreigners the people of Shenzhen are more open to tourists. They are most cosmopolitan among all the Chinese ethnic groups and it is reflected well in the cultural and the food scene of the place. The nearby fishing community holds its authentic charm whilst they readily welcome visitors to their nearby hotels and resorts. The overall vibe is very welcoming as the humble natured Han Chinese people will offer you a nice and warm experience.