The 20 top things to see and do in Shenzhen

Tianhuo Temple, Chiwan

Just across the border from Hong Kong on the Chinese mainland, lies the first tier city of Shenzhen, where around 15 million people live, work and entertain themselves.

Whether visiting or living in Shenzhen, this article will introduce some of the better scenic spots, historic sites and themed attractions. Shenzhen is a sprawling city covering ten districts, so you’ll need to plan carefully to make the most of your time – places to see are listed by district to make this easier.

Depending on your expectations, you may find some attractions quite touristy and possibly even tacky – but that’s the nature of Chinese entertainment. Take time to look beyond this, and you are likely to have some great experiences and get to sample the unique and wonderful culture that China offers.

Getting around

The well developed public transport system is both efficient and inexpensive. Choose from taxis, private drivers, buses and the ever expanding metro. Check out Getting around Shenzhen and Hong Kong Border Crossings, for more detailed information. There are also handy maps on most street corners, that although in Chinese will give you a good sense of your location and direction.

Tip: if you have a VPN, Google Maps shows streets in both English and Chinese. It’s a great resource for showing taxi drivers where you want to go and for finding your way around.

Finally, here you find the reviews of the best hotels in Shenzhen.

When to visit

Anytime of the year is good for a visit to Shenzhen. The climate is the same as sub tropical Hong Kong – mild winters and hot and humid summers. Shopping malls and larger restaurants are all air conditioned, but a mountain hike in 30 degrees might be better attempted in the cooler months.

It rains more in the summer months between May and September, but you’ll also experience days of clear blue skies to make the most of your visit. You certainly won’t experience the pollution of cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but the skies are hazier in the cloudier, winter months.

Plan your visit carefully around the times of Chinese festivals. Whilst many Chinese citizens leave Shenzhen to return to their home towns, you may find travel arrangements difficult. Hong Kong / Shenzhen borders are crowded and can be painfully slow to cross. Public transport is busy and sometimes even unattainable.

Street food in Shenzhen

How long to stay

For short visits from Hong Kong, a couple of days will certainly give you a taste of the city. If you want to visit two or three different districts then you’ll struggle to see everything in a week.

If you have a full tourist visa, you might be better spending a few days in Shenzhen followed by a trip into the neighbouring provinces to see the “real” China. Travel in China is relatively cheap, and high speed trains, buses and internal flights can whisk you inland quickly to more rural scenic areas of natural beauty.
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/things-to-see-and-do-in-shenzhen/