Shenzhen was a farming and fishing community of 300,000 on the Hong Kong border before it became China's first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 1979. Today, it's a vast metropolis of 14 million, a UNESCO City of Design, and one of China's most popular tourist destinations.

Besides being a prime shopping spot, Shenzhen is an inspired choice for culture fans. A thriving art district and an impressive range of museums, galleries, theaters, and attractions have earned Shenzhen its place on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

Discover Shenzhen's beautiful green spaces, its famous theme parks, and some of the best beaches in China. There are lots of great reasons to make this vibrant city your next destination.

 

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Shenzhen

 

1. The Theme Parks
See some of the world's most renowned sites (albeit smaller duplicates of them) at Shenzhen's amusement parks. Head to Window of the World, a huge park with scaled-down versions of some of the world's most famous monuments and a nightly parade and fireworks show, or to Splendid China Folk Village with its replicas of famous Chinese sites like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

2. It's a Great Place for Kids
Despite its size, Shenzhen is a family-friendly city. Enjoy a beach-based getaway with outings to Dameisha Coastal Park or visit Shiyan Lake Hot Spring Resort for the day. The little ones will enjoy classic playgrounds like Shenzhen Children's Park (Tongle Road), while older kids can try rides that rival those at nearby Disneyland Hong Kong at the Happy Valley Shenzhen theme park.

3. Greenery All Around
Shenzhen boasts more parks and gardens than almost any other Chinese city. Lianhua Mountain Park is ideal for families, and you can join an aerobics or yoga group or climb to the top to see the huge statue of Deng Xiaoping. Spot an impressive number of bird species at China's smallest national park, Mangrove National Park, or visit the Hongfa Temple in Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens, one of the country's most beautiful parks.

4. The Art
Shenzhen is one of the country's creative hotspots and art lovers will enjoy the city's 'anything goes' attitude. Explore industrial, fashion, and domestic design at the OCT Art and Design Gallery, or have your favorite work reproduced at Dafen Oil Painting Village.

5. Tee Off
Shenzhen is one of the world's top golfing destinations. It's home to some of China's oldest courses like Shenzhen Golf Course and to the world's biggest, Mission Hills Golf Course. Other notable courses include the Gary Player-designed Shahe (Sand River) Golf Club.


What to do in Shenzhen

 

1. Window of the World: See Incredible Replicas
Shenzhen's famed Window of the World amusement park is a unique project that features replicas of the most famous wonders of the world, from the great pyramids to Niagara Falls. All replicas at the park follow one of three ratios: 1:1, 1:5, and 1:15. If you don't have time to visit Angkor Wat or the Eiffel Tower, seeing the replicas at Window of the World is really the next-best thing. With replicas from each continent, it's truly a globe-trotting adventure. During spring, the park has its own Cherry Festival, and an Indian Cultural Week is a popular time as well. The Pop Music Festival is also a fun time to visit the park.

2. Splendid China Folk Village: The World's Largest Miniature Park
Originally two different attractions, the Splendid China Folk Village area has over 100 replicas of China's most famous tourist attractions in addition to 25 large-as-life villages that replicate the cultures of China's many different ethnic groups. As you stroll through the grounds, you'll be treated to a unique living history lesson, as well as the art and craftsmanship of artisans who produced 50,000 clay figures on the sites. If you're interested in China's ancient and enduring cultural heritage, there's no better place to take it all in.

3. Happy Valley: One of China's Most Famous Theme Parks
Shenzhen's Happy Valley spreads out over more than 86 acres of land and is comprised of different themed areas including Spanish Square, Cartoon City, Mt. Adventure, Gold Mine Town, and the Playa Maya Water Park. All told, there are over 100 different rides and games for visitors of all ages. In addition to the attractions, the theme park hosts exciting performances and dances throughout the day and night. It's simply a must for families, as there are hours of fun for kids of all ages.

4. Shenzhen Safari Park: See Animals Up Close and Personal
Shenzhen's famed Safari Park is China's first zoo with uncaged animals. Thanks to the mountains, which act as natural barriers to the park, the zoo is able to let animals such as south China tigers roam free in the grounds. There are more than 10,000 animals in the Safari Park that hail from all around the world. Glass corridors protect visitors from the free animals. This is also one of the only zoos in the world to have tiger/lion hybrids: tigons and ligers.

5. Dongmen Pedestrian Street: Shenzhen's Shopping Center
For over 300 years, Dongmen Street has been the best place to shop in Shenzhen. With everything from cheap goods to luxury items, the Dongmen Market offers all that any shopper could want. The tightly packed streets are often crowded with visitors, so be warned that this will not be a peaceful shopping experience. There's no feeling quite like getting lost in the hustle and bustle of this vibrant commercial district.


How to Get to Shenzhen

Plane
Those flying to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) can take the subway (Line 1) to the city center for ¥5-7. The airport is around 19 miles northwest of downtown and taxis are also available. Expect to pay ¥100 to Futian or ¥150 to Luohu, including toll fees.

Train
Train is the most popular way to reach Shenzhen from Hong Kong. Regular train services are also available from cities like Guangzhou and Dongguan. High-speed trains from Kowloon, Hong Kong terminate at Futian Railway Station while trains from Guangzhou and further afield arrive at Shenzhen North Railway Station. Futian Railway Station is close to the center of the city and you can take the subway (Lines 1, 2, 3, 4) from the first underground floor. If you're arriving at Shenzhen North Station, take local bus services from the first or second floor of its east square.

Car
You can drive from Hong Kong to the heart of Shenzhen via the Shenzhen Bay Bridge in under two hours. Be aware that you'll need to drive on the left in Hong Kong and then on the right in mainland China. Drivers also need to have a Chinese license or book a local driver.

Bus
The city has several long distance bus stations. Luohu Bus Station, which is next to the border crossing and the railway station is the most convenient for travelers, and there are regular services from cities in the Guangdong area such as Dongguan, Guangzhou, Shantou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Foshan.