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Shenzhen Travel Guide

Shenzhen Travel Guide 2024

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Shenzhen, or called “Roc City”, lying in Southern China is a new hot tourist destination for all global travelers and has been ranked second on the list of "top 10 cities to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet". After its implementation of the Reform and Opening-up Policy as a special economic zone since 1979, this amazing city originally a normal fishing village dramatically turns out to be one of the 4 largest cities in China, together with Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and also is a Globalization and World Cities of Alpha- in the world. However, he is only 35 years old and young as a city till now. Long history and profound culture are not suitable for Shenzhen. So, what makes it so special and attractive? Absolutely its superb “Shenzhen Speed” with the once record of building one storey within 3 days, great potential with the average age of citizens of about 32 and inclusiveness to different immigrants from other cities of China and other countries. The “Silicon Valley in China” is another reputation to Shenzhen, which is home to a wide range of world famous electronics brands, including Huawei, Tencent, etc. The strong creativity and various new things produced there speak loudly for the innovation and rising of China! BUT, there is far more than business and work. National famous theme parks, China top coastal lines, shimmering skylines, rich atmosphere of reading, artistic street blocks and parks, first-class international performances and concerts, etc. also tell the interesting life of this mega city!

Why Visit Shenzhen:

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy: Since May 1, 2019, Guangdong Province has been implementing 144-hour visa-free period for nationals from 53 countries. The qualified travelers can enter Guangdong via its three airports - Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, and exit via the province’s 32 ports. Learn more about 144-hour visa-free policy >>.

How to Plan Your Shenzhen Tour

A lot of people visit Shenzhen for business, and they usually spend 1-2 days to visit the best sights of this city, including Splendid China and Folk Culture Village, Shenzhen Museum, Diwang Mansion or Ping An Finance Center, Windows of the World, etc. If you have 1-2 more days, you can visit Dafen Oil Painting Village and OCT Loft Creative Culture Park to feel the artistic and creative city charm, and admire the beautiful coastline at Shenzhen Bay Park, Dameisha or Xiaomeisha beaches. Besides, for most visitors to Shenzhen, they usually travel further to other nearby cities, like 2-3 days to Hong Kong and Macau, and also 2-3 days to Guangzhou.

Furthermore, it is also recommended very much to plan a longer China tour with Shenzhen to enjoy more essences of the charming country, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, etc. in one go! Here below are our popular Shenzhen tours, you can check details to choose your favorite one. Also, if you have any other idea, you can contact us to customize your own Shenzhen tour or Shenzhen China tour!

Top Things to Do in Shenzhen

Shenzhen as the window to the world has a lot of places to feel the superfast developmental pace of China and the amazing modern fashion of this historical country. Here we select the top theme parks, skyscrapers, villages, museums, etc. for your highlighting days to catch the glittery cityscape, unique culture of traditional and marine, comprehensive opening to different cultures, energetic creativity, and so on of this powerful and potential city.

>> Learn more about All Things to Do in Shenzhen.

Windows of the World
Windows of the World

Showing the splendid culture of the world with over 130 vivid miniature buildings of world famous iconic architectures, wonderful performances and festivals in Asia, America, Europe, Africa, Atlantic, etc.

Splendid China Folk Culture Village
Splendid China Folk Culture Village

Best theme park to admire amazing replicas of 82 famous sightseeing miracles based on real locations in China and 27 ethnic folk villages with nice shows in one day!

Shenzhen Museum
Shenzhen Museum

Must-visit landmark museum to seek the over 7,000-year long history, development under the reform and opening-up policy, and regional, Lingnan, Hakka and marine folk culture… of Shenzhen.

Dafen Oil Painting Village
Dafen Oil Painting Village

Originally a normal Hakka village in Shenzhen but turned out to be the No. 1 Old Paining Village in China and the world largest base for oil paintings producing and exporting for an incredible artistic savory!

Ping An Finance Center
Ping An Finance Center

Built up to 600m, it is one of the world top 5 tallest buildings. The Free Sky observation deck of 541m high offers the fantastic panorama of the whole Shenzhen metropolis in day and night time.

Diwang Mansion
Diwang Mansion

Once the tallest building in Asia with the total height of 384m in 1996, it is still a great site to savor the 360 degree view of the high-rises, Shenzhen River, and the bordering Hong Kong in a nice clear day!

OTC Loft Creative Culture Park
OTC Loft Creative Culture Park

Transformed from an abandoned old factory to the artistic creative block with diverse studios, café, bazaar, etc., it is one of the best places to feel Shenzhen's creativity with a relaxing stroll.

Crane Lake Hakka Village
Crane Lake Hakka Village

The largest Hakka walled village in Shenzhen of over 200 years. The well preserved houses, excellent design on defense and water discharge, etc. are outstanding to enjoy Hakka culture, history, folk life...

Featured & Inspiring Activities in Shenzhen

You will have no one second boring in Shenzhen, because there are always a lot of interesting and worth doing activities and tries to make you feel glad and fruitful, such as admire excellent shows, having fun in theme parks, tasting gourmets, going different shopping, etc.

>> Learn more about All Featured Activities in Shenzhen.

Dancing with Dragon and Phoenix

Watch Wonderful Ethnic Performances

Dancing with Dragon & Phoenix and Chinese Garment, two marvelous indoor performances to show the wonderful songs, dances, costumes, folk cultures of 56 ethnic groups in China with outstanding skills of lights, sounds, electricity, water, etc.

Happy Valley

Have Great Fun at Happy Valley

Play with your children or like a child at the super large theme park to get the utmost joy and laughter with more than 100 relaxing, exciting, interesting, joyous, thrilling, etc. projects, on land and in water.

Shenzhen Food

Taste Mouth-watering Food

Have a happy time on the food streets and popular restaurants to tuck in the fresh Cantonese cuisines, savory sea food, local favored street snacks, and a rich array of delicate Chinese and Western dinners.

Luohu Commercial City

Do Exciting Shopping at Luohu Commercial City

Well prepare to select your ideal products from the countless offered in the 5-floor commercial building, where you can find wide range of good replicas, souvenirs, watches, clothes, shoes, bags, jewelries, etc.

Weather & Best Time to Visit Shenzhen

Shenzhen Weather

Shenzhen is suitable to visit nearly all year round, however, the best time is during mid-March to mid-April and mid-October to late November, when the temperature is comfortable and rainfall occurs less.

Belonging to the subtropical zone in Southern China, Shenzhen is mild in winter season, hot, muggy and rainy in summer times. It rains a lot during a year, and most frequently during May to September months. Its Spring lasts from March to May, when is warm for traveling, however, there are some overcasting days with cold wind sometimes, so you are suggested to prepare some coats and slight sweaters. June to September is usually the Summer there, when temperature is a little high up to over 30℃ and heavy rains or thunderstorms occur more. Autumn is usually in October and November, and you can enjoy less rainy days, cool temperature and clear sky. And December to February belongs to the Winter season of this city, with the wet environment off sea, it is still some cold and moist, however, the temperature often keeps higher than 10℃. Typhoons occur not that frequently as other coastal cities, however, they are still possible especially during June to early September.

If you are going to visit Shenzhen in spring and autumn, light sweaters, coats, and hats are suggested. Sweaters, jackets, and light scarves are advised for winter. Shorts, light clothes, hats are better in summer. Rain gears and sun block are suggested always!

>> Learn more about Shenzhen Weather and Best Time to Visit.

How to Go to & Around Shenzhen

Shenzhen Airport Shenzhen North Railway Station Shenzhen Bullet Train

Get to Shenzhen

By Air: There is one airport in Shenzhen - Shenzhen Baoan International Airport (IATA: SZX), which is one of the 4 largest airports in China. It has around 190 air routes to more than 110 domestic cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Kunming, Guiyang, Zhangjiajie, Lanzhou, Sanya, Zhengzhou, Harbin, Macau, Taipei, etc. and about 30 international cities, including Los Angeles, Auckland, Sidney, Milan, Frankfort, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, etc. Situated in Baoan District, this airport needs about 1 hour to get to city downtown by driving about 45 kilometers. Besides, local Metro Line 1, airport bus, taxi, etc. are available.

By Bullet Train: Shenzhen has convenient network of high speed trains which connect many destinations in China, with the nice services of the four high speed train stations, including the more frequently used Shenzhen North Station and Futian Station. Travelers can take a cool bullet train from Beijing (8.5-10.5 hours), Shanghai (11.5 hours), Guangzhou (0.5-1.5 hours), Guilin (3-3.5 hours), Yangshuo (2.5-3 hours), Xiamen (3.5 hours), Wuhan (4-5 hours), Changsha (3-3.5 hours), Xian (9.5-10 hours), etc. to Shenzhen with speed and comfort. Moreover, after the operation of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High Speed Rail Link, visitors can also start from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to get to Shenzhen within 20 minutes.

By Coach: There are 57 long distance bus stations in the various districts in Shenzhen, and the most used are Luohu Bus Station, Futian Bus Station, Huanggang Bus Station, Nanshan Bus Station, Yantian Bus Station and Baoan Bus Station. There are many daily coaches to other cities in whole Guangdong Province (including Guangzhou), Hong Kong, Macau, and many cities in other provinces including Hunan, Hubei, Fujian, Hainan, Guangxi, etc. Most coaches are high speed and depart every 15-40 minutes.

By Ferry: Visitors can also take a ferry to Shenzhen from Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport, Macau, and Zhuhai. The more frequently used ports are Shekou Port and Fuyong Port.

Hong Kong to Shenzhen: Visitors from Hong Kong can get to Shenzhen by many means, such as metro system, high speed train, coach, car/taxi, ferry, etc. with short time and low cost.

Guangzhou to Shenzhen: At present, travelers can get to Shenzhen from Guangzhou by bullet train (0.5-1.5 hours), distance coach (1-2 hours), etc. with convenience.

Macau to Shenzhen: So far you can travel to Shenzhen from Macau by direct ferries (70 minutes), helicopters (15 minutes), and private car (2 hours), etc., or a high speed train transfer from Zhuhai for 2 hours.

Get Around Shenzhen

To get in and around Shenzhen, travelers can take the convenient Shenzhen Metro (8 lines under operation), bus, taxi, etc. Besides, our private transfer service is also recommended for a worry-free and speedy transfer during a city trip!

>> Learn more about How to Get to & Around Shenzhen10 Shenzhen CheckpointsShenzhen HK Border Crossing.

Hotels & Best Places to Stay

Shenzhen Hotel

Shenzhen as a world famous metropolis offers extremely abundant selections of hotels from luxury, comfort to budget and hostels, homestays for your great stay there. A lot of deluxe international brands can be found, including Shangri-La, Wyndham, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, etc. Dongmen Old Street area and Luohu District is good for shopping and savor local life and offers most luxury and cheap accommodations. Overseas China Town and Nanshan District is good for family stay to enjoy the fun time in the amusement parks. Huaqiaobei Commercial Area and Futian District with many skyscrapers are good to enjoy the modern cityscape, enjoy the culture of electronics there, and most chosen for business people. Baoan District and area around Baoan Airport is better for early or late flight catching.

>> Learn more about Where to Stay in Shenzhen | Shenzhen Hotels.

Latest & Useful Shenzhen Maps

To help you better plan your Shenzhen trip and have a better traveling experience, we here collect some very useful and updated tourist maps. Please check them to know the detailed location, districts, highlights, transportation of Shenzhen.

>> Learn more about Shenzhen China Map | Shenzhen Tourist Map | Shenzhen Metro Map | Shenzhen District Map | Shenzhen Google Map | All the Shenzhen Maps.

Other Destinations in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area

Shenzhen is one of the four key cities of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macau Greater Bay Area. Since it provides very well connection to other places of the area with some attractive traveling destinations, such as Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macau, Zhuhai, etc., you are highly recommended to travel extend to those top places to enjoy more highlights!

Other Hot Destinations in China

China is a vast country with tremendous number of tourist destinations to get much pleasant. Besides visiting Shenzhen City, you can also travel further to more hot destinations, such as Beijing with renowned Forbidden City and Great Wall, Shanghai with charming modern and colonial appearance, Guilin with appealing Karst landform sightseeing, Xian with impressive Terracotta Warriors and Horses, etc.

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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