Shenzhen
The Silicon Valley of Hardware
Welcome to Shenzhen! China's youngest and most futuristic metropolis. From a fishing village to a tech giant in 40 years.
1. Attractions
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of attraction name and paste in map app to see the location.
Note: Some major attractions require reservations even with tickets. Be sure to use Trip.com to purchase and reserve simultaneously
Day 1: The Modern Skyline
Lianhuashan Park（莲花山公园）
Hike up a gentle hill to the Deng Xiaoping Statue for the iconic panoramic view of the Shenzhen CBD skyline.
Cost:Free
Hours:6:00 – 22:30
Ping An Finance Centre（平安金融中心）
The tallest building in Shenzhen (4th tallest in the world). The observation deck is on the 116th floor.
Civic Center Light Show（市民中心灯光秀）
A spectacular LED light show covering dozens of skyscrapers in the city center. Best viewed from the Civic Center Plaza.
Cost:Free
Hours:Fri/Sat/Holidays
Day 2: Culture & Creativity
OCT-LOFT (华侨城创意文化园)
An old industrial park converted into a hip art district with galleries, coffee shops, and bookstores.
Cost:Free
Hours:Open all day
Sea World (Shekou) (海上世界)
An expat-friendly entertainment hub centered around a grounded cruise ship. Packed with international restaurants and bars.
Cost:Free to walk
Hours:Open all day
Splendid China Folk Village (锦绣中华民俗村)
A massive theme park featuring miniatures of China's famous landmarks, live performances of ethnic minority dances, and lots of night shows.
Day 3: "Only in Shenzhen" (Optional)
Huaqiangbei Electronics Market (华强北)
The world's largest electronics market. You can find everything from drone parts to vintage game consoles.
Cost:Free to browse
Hours:10:00 – 18:00
Dafen Oil Painting Village (大芬油画村)
The 'World's Art Factory.' Home to thousands of artists who paint replicas of masterpieces and original works.
Cost:Free
Hours:9:00 – 18:00
2. Family & Kids
⚠️ Essential Booking Tip: Like other major Chinese cities, most attractions in Shenzhen (especially the Science Museum) require advance booking via WeChat. The Science Museum in Guangming is extremely popular—book as soon as slots open.
Xiaomeisha Sea World (小梅沙海洋世界)
A paradise for marine life lovers! Explore vast themed zones featuring polar bears and sharks. The Whale & Dolphin Theater is heartwarming, and kids will be amazed by the 360° Blue Hole Projection and the immersive Flying Theater.
Cost:~160 CNY (Adult), ~80 CNY (Child).
Hours:09:30–18:00.
Location:Yantian District (Dameisha Bay).
📍 Pro Tip:It's located on the coast, so bring sun protection if you plan to walk around the beach area afterwards.
Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum (New Hall) (深圳科技馆-新馆)
A massive 5-story complex! The 3rd floor "Good Life" hall is highly interactive and perfect for toddlers. Older kids will be fascinated by the Space Exploration and Bio-tech zones on the 4th and 5th floors.
Cost:Free (Advance reservation required).
Hours:10:00–18:00 (Closed Mondays).
Location:Guangming District (Intersection of Science Park Rd & Jinfeng Rd).
📍 Pro Tip:This is the *new* venue in Guangming, quite far from downtown. Plan for travel time.
Shenzhen Children's Park (深圳市儿童乐园)
High value for money! Entry is free. It features a double-decker carousel, the "Jumping Clouds" drop tower, and self-controlled planes. The "Traffic City" is designed for little ones to learn traffic rules while playing.
Cost:Free entry (Most rides are free; some may have small fees).
Hours:09:00–18:00.
Location:Futian District (Hongling Middle Road).
📍 Pro Tip:Mosquito Alert! The vegetation is dense, so bring strong insect repellent or mosquito patches for the kids.
Shenzhen Safari Park (深圳野生动物园)
Get up close with giant pandas and Siberian tigers. The Elephant Show and Tiger Diving are must-sees. There’s also a petting zoo where kids can interact with gentle animals—a great immersive nature experience.
Cost:~150 CNY (Adult), ~75 CNY (Child).
Hours:08:30–18:00.
Location:Nanshan District (Xili Lake Road).
📍 Pro Tip:The park is large and hilly. Consider renting a stroller or a small electric cart if you have young children.
3. Food
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of food name and paste in Dianping app to find restaurants.
Note: Food items may contain allergens. Please confirm with restaurant staff directly
Shenzhen Favorites
Coconut Chicken Hotpot
椰子鸡
Broth made from pure coconut water and tender chicken. Sweet and refreshing.
Chaoshan Beef Hotpot
潮汕牛肉火锅
Famous for incredibly fresh beef sliced by skilled butchers and cooked for just seconds.
Cantonese Dim Sum
早茶
High quality and widely available.
4. Transportation
Arrival
- Air:
Metro Line 11 (Daytime): Fastest and most efficient (~7 RMB). Runs from Airport B1 level to core districts like Futian, Nanshan, and Bao'an in 40–50 mins. Connects easily to the rest of the city; last train typically around midnight.
Airport Express Bus (Late Night): Best 24-hour option when the metro is closed. Multiple routes serve Luo'hu, Futian, Nanshan, and Longgang for approximately 25 RMB. Tickets are available at the "Airport Express" counters (near Gate 17) or via WeChat mini-program.Check flights via
- Train:
Shenzhen North: Largest hub and best general choice; primary station for high-speed trains. Served by Metro Lines 4, 5, & 6. Ideal if you are unsure of your final destination as it connects to most areas.
Shenzhen Station (Luohu): Located in Luohu near the border; primary for intercity trains (to Guangzhou). Access via Line 1 (Luohu) or Line 9 (Renmin South). Note: Best for crossing into HK via Luohu Port, but do not confuse with Futian Port.
Futian Station: Massive underground station in the CBD (near Convention Center). Served by Lines 2, 3, & 11. Fastest option for high-speed travel to Hong Kong West Kowloon (only 15–30 mins) and best for business travelers staying in the city center.Check trains via
City Transport
- Metro: Modern, clean, and covers every inch of the city. Use Alipay.
- Electric Taxis: Almost all taxis in Shenzhen are electric (BYD) and blue.
5. Where to Stay
Futian CBD
The true center. Close to the light show, Ping An tower, and high-speed train to HK.
Nanshan / Shekou
The tech hub (near Tencent/DJI). Closer to theme parks and western-style nightlife.
Luohu
The "Old City." Cheaper, busier, and right next to the main border crossing to Hong Kong.
6. Essential Tips
💡 Top Tips
- Language: Unlike Guangzhou (Cantonese), Shenzhen is a city of migrants, so Mandarin is the primary language.
- Drones: Shenzhen is the home of DJI. You will see many drone enthusiasts, but check No-Fly Zones carefully.
- Hong Kong: Ensure you have a multi-entry visa for China if you plan to pop over to Hong Kong and come back to Shenzhen.