Shenzhen Travel Guide

City Snapshot: A Greater Bay Area Powerhouse

City Profile: Shenzhen is one of the four core cities of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area (alongside Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Macau). It is a Special Economic Zone and a national innovation hub, known for technology, finance, and global connectivity.

Climate: Subtropical maritime climate. Summers (May–September) are hot and humid, while winters (December–February) are short and mild.

Language: Mandarin is widely spoken. Many locals also speak Cantonese, and English is commonly used in business districts, tourist areas, and upscale venues.

Business & Exhibitions: Shenzhen is a major MICE city in China. Key venues such as Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center and Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center host major global events, including the China Hi-Tech Fair and the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair - excellent windows into China's tech and creative industries.

Top Attractions & Must-Do Experiences in Shenzhen

Shenzhen offers a diverse, future-forward mix of experiences, from skyline views to tech-powered daily life.

City Landmarks & Skyline

Ping An Finance Center Observation Deck: One of South China's tallest buildings (600 m). Enjoy 360° panoramic views over Shenzhen and even Hong Kong on clear days.

Talent Park & Shenzhen Bay Park: Scenic waterfront promenades in the city core - perfect for sunsets, night views, and skyline photos featuring Nanshan's tech district and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge.

Theme Parks & Leisure

Happy Valley Shenzhen: A large theme park with thrill rides and family attractions.

Window of the World: See mini replicas of 130+ global landmarks in one day.

Splendid China Folk Village: A compact showcase of China's ethnic cultures and famous sights.

Creative Districts & Shopping

Nantou Ancient City: A 1,700-year-old historic area reimagined with modern design, trendy shops, and art spaces.

OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park: Converted factory complex with indie bookstores, galleries, cafés, and weekend markets.

Coastal City / MixC: Major shopping complexes representing Shenzhen's modern lifestyle and fashion scene.

Shenzhen-Only "Future Tech" Experiences

Instagram-worthy metro stations:

Futian Station – Asia's largest underground transport hub.

Shenzhen Bay Park Station – Nicknamed the "sea-view metro station."

Drone food delivery: In areas like Nanshan High-Tech Park, try drone delivery via Meituan for a glimpse of future logistics.

Robotaxi rides: Book self-driving taxis in designated zones such as Qianhai or Pingshan through AutoX or Baidu Apollo apps.

Tech campus visits: Explore the exterior of Tencent's global headquarters or visit Huawei's European-style campus in Songshan Lake (advance booking required).

Nearby Cities & Short Trips (1–2 Days)

Shenzhen's excellent transport makes it easy to explore the Greater Bay Area and eastern Guangdong.

Hong Kong - Best 1-day trip
Victoria Harbour, Victoria Peak, shopping, Disneyland.
15–30 min by high-speed train or metro + border crossing; 1 hour by cross-border van transfer including border crossing.

Check out One-Day Round Trip Car Rental from Hong Kong to Shenzhen.

Guangzhou - Classic 2-day trip
Canton Tower, Zhujiang New Town, Beijing Road, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Cantonese dim sum.
~30 min by high-speed train; 1.5-2 hour by private transfer

Zhuhai - Coastal getaway
Lovers’ Road, islands, relaxed seaside atmosphere, close to Macau.
1–1.5 hrs by train or ferry; 2 hours by private transfer

Zhongshan - Cultural & easy day trip
Sun Yat-sen Memorial sites, local cuisine, small-city charm.
~1 hr by train; 40 minutes by private transfer through the newly built bridge. 

Chaozhou - Historic & foodie destination
Ancient city walls, Guangji Bridge, traditional Chaoshan cuisine and tea culture.
~2.5–3 hrs by high-speed train; 4 hours by private transfer.

Recommended Local Itineraries

One-Day Highlights

• Futian CBD & Robotaxi experience

• Talent Park & drone food delivery

• Ping An Finance Center Sky Deck

• Nantou Ancient City

Three-Day Classic Trip

Day 1: Talent Park → Shenzhen Bay Park → OCT-LOFT → Ping An Finance Center

Day 2: Autonomous driving experience → Happy Valley or Window of the World

Day 3: Nantou Ancient City → Coastal City/MixC World → Dinner at Shenzhen Bay

Getting There & Around

By Air:
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) serves extensive domestic and international routes. It is also one of China's official ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free transit.

By Train:

Shenzhen North Railway Station: The main high-speed rail hub, with fast connections to Guangzhou, Hong Kong West Kowloon, Wuhan, Beijing, and more.

Futian Station: Asia's largest underground railway station, mainly serving Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong high-speed trains.

By Ferry:
Shekou Cruise Home Port operates high-speed ferries to Hong Kong International Airport, Macau, and Zhuhai, making sea travel easy and scenic.

By Road / Private Transfer:
Shenzhen has multiple long-distance bus stations connecting the city with Guangdong Province and nearby regions. For short trips or flexible schedules, private transfers and chartered cars are a convenient option. 

Check out Shenzhen Transfer Services, Car Rental & Coach Hiring

Must-Try Local Food

As a vibrant immigrant city, Shenzhen offers flavors from all over China and the world - while still keeping its own local specialties.

Cantonese Classics:

o   Guangming Roast Pigeon – crispy skin, juicy meat.

o   Shajing Fresh Oysters – best in winter, grilled or deep-fried.

Local Favorites:

o   Coconut Chicken Hotpot – cooked with fresh coconut water; light, sweet, and healthy.

o   Clay Pot Rice (Bo Zai Fan) – especially the classic version with Chinese sausage.

High-Tech Dining Experiences:
Beyond drone food delivery, try robot-served or robot-cooked restaurants (such as Robot.Eat) in selected malls, where robots or mechanical arms prepare and deliver your meals.

Recommended Luxury Hotels in Shenzhen

Raffles Shenzhen (Nanshan District)
Located at Shenzhen Bay One, offering stunning sea views and world-class service.

Park Hyatt Shenzhen (Futian District)
Set in the Ping An Finance Center South Tower, featuring elegant design and a refined “urban residence” atmosphere.

The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen (Futian District)
Next to the Convention & Exhibition Center; a classic luxury choice for both business and leisure travelers.

Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai (Nanshan District)
Resort-style beachfront hotel with private gardens and a relaxed coastal vibe.

Shenzhen Marriott Hotel Nanshan (Nanshan District)
Modern design in the Coastal City shopping area, extremely convenient for shopping and dining.

Travel Tips for International Visitors

1. Visa & Transit

·  Most travelers need to apply for a Chinese visa in advance.

·  Travelers transiting via Hong Kong or Macau may be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy (subject to nationality and route eligibility).

·  Travelers entering Shenzhen from Hong Kong or Macau may apply for a Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Tourist Visa, valid for Shenzhen only.

2. Payments

·  Mobile payments (WeChat Pay & Alipay) are widely used - linking an international credit card in advance is highly recommended.

·  Major hotels, malls, and some restaurants accept Visa/MasterCard.

·  Carry a small amount of RMB cash for convenience.

3. Internet & Connectivity

·  Some international websites (e.g. Google, Facebook, YouTube) are not directly accessible in mainland China. Download maps (Baidu Maps or Amap), translation apps, and messaging apps before arrival.

·  Local data SIM cards are available at airports, or you can use international roaming.

4. Practical Etiquette & Tips

·  No smoking in subways, museums, and most indoor public areas.

·  Tap water is not drinkable - use bottled water or boiled water.