Shenzhen is a bustling metropolis in the Guangdong Province of China. Located north of Hong Kong along the coast of the South China Sea, Shenzhen’s drastic transformation from a fishing town to the most important technological hub in less than four decades is inspirational. Famous for its mountains, hills, beaches, theme parks, urban villages, shopping centers, and Cantonese cuisine, Shenzhen has been given the second place in the Lonely Planet’s list of “top 10 cities to visit in 2019.” If you are planning a trip to Shenzhen, go through our Shenzhen Travel Guide for quick assistance regarding when to go, how to get around, what to see and do, etc.
Best time to visit Shenzhen:
Shenzhen has a sub-tropical climate characterized by hot and humid summers and dry and cold winters. So, the pleasantly mild weather in the autumn months of September through December is perfect to plan your trip to Shenzhen. You can save huge on flights to China when you have your travel dates flexible.
Visa Requirement:
U.S. citizens visiting the Chinese Mainland must apply for a visa. However, if your Shenzhen travel itinerary sticks to touring Shenzhen and heading back to the US, you could apply for Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. It is valid for a stay lasting not more than 5 days, provided you carry a valid passport. iEagle offers the best deals on a round-trip flight from the US to Shenzhen!
Getting to Shenzhen:
Many popular airlines including United Airlines, China Southern, China Eastern, Air China, Shenzhen Airlines provide cheap flights to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. Situated 32 km away from downtown Shenzhen, this international airport serves many domestic and international destinations. You can take Metro or bus routes, local taxis, or airport shuttle bus to reach the city from the airport.
If you are traveling from Hong Kong, the most convenient option is to take a high-speed rail (HSR) to Shenzhen. A total of 8 railway stations serve the city, however, tourists mostly use the Shenzhen Railway Station, Shenzhen West Railway Station, Futian Railway Station, and Shenzhen North Railway Station. Ferries are also available from Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai to Shekou Ferry Terminal, from where you can take buses to the city. Many long-distance bus routes connect Shenzhen with the other cities in Guangdong province.
Getting around Shenzhen:
This section of Shenzhen Travel Guide focuses on the transportation options within the city. This metropolitan city has a well-developed transportation system. Traveling from place to place within the city is easy and comfortable with the Metro, which is considered the lifeline of the Shenzhen public transport system. You could also take local buses, taxis, and private cabs.
Where to stay:
This Shenzhen travel guide suggests the best places to stay in the city taking into consideration the different travel needs and budget sizes of different travelers. Most of the popular hotels are found in the Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts of Shenzhen.
Hotels in Nanshan districts provide quick access to many Shenzhen’s attractions. So, if you are here to enjoy a leisure sightseeing holiday, choose Mumian Hotel Hou Hai, Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai, The Venice Raytour Hotel, Shenzhen U Hotel, Shenzhen FY Hotel, etc. The proximity of Huaqiangbei Commercial Area (business center of Shenzhen) makes the hotels in Luohu and Futian the first choice for business travelers. The most popular hotels are Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, Hyatt Place Shenzhen Dongmen, Hilton Shenzhen Futian, Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen, Idea Jar Hotel, etc. You could also experience the vibrant nightlife in the nearby bars.
Foodies and Shopaholics choose to stay in hotels near Dongmen Pedestrian Street, which is dotted with restaurants and shopping markets. Longhua District with many mid-range hotels is preferred by most budget travelers. For a luxurious stay in a seaside hotel, Sheraton Dameisha Resort and Kingkey Palace Hotel are the best options.
Tourist attractions in Shenzhen:
Dameisha beach, the longest beach in Shenzhen, is one of the famous tourist attractions. This beautiful white-sand beach has designated areas such as swimming area, sports area, leisure area, barbecue area, etc. Go for swimming, horse riding, parasailing, and jet skiing! Enjoy a peaceful walk along the Seaside Plank Road!
Touring the theme park called Window of the World is like touring all the famous attractions of the world in one go. Yes, this park has miniature replicas of about 130 famous places around the world like the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel tower, the Twin Towers, Niagara Falls, the leaning tower of Pisa, etc.
Hiking the lush green Nanshan Mountain is one of the popular things to do in Shenzhen. You need to climb about 700 steps to reach the top of the mountain, which offers excellent views of Shekou and the far away ocean.
The Dafen Oil Painting Village is a must visit for all the art lovers. Known as the world’s art factory, the art galleries, studios, and shops house hundreds of oil paintings and other artworks. You’ll also find stunning replicas of paintings by legends like Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci.
