Bordering on Hong Kong: The easiest routes in and out of Shenzhen

Shekou Ferry Terminal, Shenzhen, China

At first glance, it’s hard to believe that the Chinese city of Shenzhen, situated directly north of Hong Kong on mainland China, was nothing more than a sleepy fishing village back in 1979. This area became China’s first, and one of its most successful, Special Economic Zones and is a thriving metropolis. In fact Shenzhen is now considered one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

The Brits may have handed Hong Kong back to China, but it still retains its status as a “Special Administrative Region of China”. So don’t expect to pop over to Shenzhen without a valid Chinese visa – all visitors to Shenzhen from Hong Kong have to pass through customs and immigration at any of the border crossings, regardless of their nationality!

Visitors to Shenzhen frequently fly into Hong Kong and then make the short hop over to the mainland. You can choose to take the short half hour ferry service that delivers you to the suburb of Shekou, or you can go overland by bus, coach, taxi or metro. Whichever route you take be prepared to queue if you travel during business rush hour periods.

Many Chinese and Hong Kong citizens cross the borders daily to work in the busy commercial centers, both on the mainland and Hong Kong city. Rush hour takes on a new meaning as thousands of people make the cross border journey to work!

For ease of travel I would definitely recommend the ferry. The service runs every hour from either the airport or from Hong Kong Island. From the airport it takes only 30 minutes into Shenzhen Shekou Ferry Terminal or 40 minutes to Shenzhen Fuyong (Bao’an Airport) Terminal, both on Shenzhen’s west side. However, this is the more expensive option, with one-way tickets costing around 220 HKD. It’s a tough buy when a less expensive bus option can cost just a fraction of this price.

If you want to visit Shenzhen’s business centre in Futian district then consider one of the overland options. Bus, coach and taxi’s cater for all budgets.

With so many choices it is best to make your transportation decision based on your final destination, available time and pre-arranged connections or meetings. But if you go with the flow and make sure you have the correct entry documents then a visit to Shenzhen shouldn’t present you with too many problems. In fact, apart from the occasional traffic delays, I’ve found it easier to enter China than the USA!

Shenzhen / Hong Kong Overland Border Crossings

There are four popular border crossings from Hong Kong to Shenzhen:

• Luo Hu (pronounced LoHu) – Lo Wu on Hong Kong Side (6.30 to midnight)
• Futian Border – Lok Ma Chao (6.30am – 10.30pm)
• Huanggang Border (least convenient but open 24 hours)
• Shenzhen Bay Border (6.30 – midnight)

2. Luo hu to Lo Wu Border

Luo hu border is located at Luo hu Train Station. It is here that the intercity, inter-province train and the Shenzhen metro meet.
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/bordering-on-hong-kong-routes-in-and-out-of-shenzhen/