Shenzhen is an interesting city as it is another city that tells a story about the Chinas economic transformation. Shenzhen was not much more than a fishing village until about thirty years ago when a man named Deng Xiaoping had taken the reins as China’s leader from Mao Zedong in 1978.
Deng Xiaoping had a very different view of macroeconomics from his predecessor and introduced the concepts of free market theory and capitalism, gathered from his visits to the west, that is the foundation of Chinas current success.
Shenzhen was one of the first cities to be declared a ‘Special Economic Zone’ which were operated under a different set of rules, favoring the market, as opposed to a state-run economy. The city boomed. In a mere 30 years, it has transformed from a sleepy coastal village to a modern metropolis and one of Chinas most livable cities for lifestyle and opportunity.
Shenzhen is a large spread out city running longways along the coastline and featuring three major districts being Nanshan, Futian, and Luohu, the outer districts are Yantian, Bao’an, Longgang, Longhua, Guangming, Dapeng and Pingshan. Qianhai is a new district on the coast and home to massive new business investment and development. The city is home to over 14 million people with an area of over 2000 square kilometers.
The city has a gross domestic product of US$302 billion (2017) overtaking Guangzhou and it continues to be one of Chinas fastest growing cities.
The city has a modern transport system featuring a mix of rail, bus, underground subway and ferry services linking to nearby coastal cities. Taxis are cheap and all the ones I’ve used have been friendly and honest, occasionally I meet an English speaking driver.
Nanshan District is a particularly modern area, featuring clean, tree-lined streets and even the bike-friendly walkways are flower lined. It’s a pretty area, also having many huge, glitzy new shopping malls. Nanshan is also home to the Hi-Tech Industry Park which features bases for many of the big name global tech companies including Microsoft, Lenovo, IBM and more. Shenzhen University is also nearby.
Luohu District of Shenzhen is one of the major gateways to Hong Kong wherein the Cantonese language its referred to as Lo Wu. There are loads of stores in the Louhu Commercial Center featuring loads of knock-off and copy goods like handbags, watches, jewellery, clothes, shoes and some electrical/digital products. A short walk away from the rail station is the hugely popular Dongmen Market Pedestrian which is basically one big street packed, I mean packed with shops, market stalls and more.
The city is home to numerous large modern shopping malls which include MixC (Luohu), Coco Park (Futian), Coastal City (Nanshan), Holiday Plaza (Nanshan), and Haiya Mega Mall (Bao’an) to name the major ones.
Dapeng Peninsula is an area not to be missed, it’s one of Shenzhen’s best secrets but perhaps not for long as it set to become a major area for tourism investment and it’s easy to see why. Dapeng Peninsula is home to the numerous beaches including Dongchong and Xichong, natural attractions, as well as an ancient village and the Dapeng Fortress. In Yantian District, which is on the way to Dapeng, you will find Shenzhen’s most popular beaches, Dameisha and Xiameisha.
The city is also popular for its theme parks which include OCT East (the largest), Happy Valley (thrill rides), Splendid China (Chinese culture), Window of the World (miniature recreations of world wonders), Xiameisha Sea World (marine park), and Safari Park (zoo).
The city features a modern transport system which at its heart is the Metro which covers most of the city and makes getting anywhere quite efficient.
The Top 40 Attractions in Shenzhen
OCT East 东部华侨城
Located in Dameisha, Shenzhen, China, OCT East is the first large-scale comprehensive national ecotourism demonstration zone in China that integrates the theme of leisure and vacation, sightseeing, outdoor sports, popular science education and ecological exploration.
OCT Tea Valley 东部华侨城茶溪谷
OCT Tea Creek Valley Holiday Park, showing a garden, Chinese and Western cultural collision and the world of leisure and vacation.
Window of the World 世界之窗
Window of the World is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Shenzhen. It is a man-made theme park that combines wonders of the world, historic sites, ancient and modern places of interest, folk song and dance performances, displaying more than 100 world-famous cultural landscapes and architectural wonders.
Splendid China 锦绣中华民俗村
One day trip to China 5,000 years of culture, 9.6 million square feet of mountains and rivers and 81 miniature scenic spots.
Shenzhen Safari Park 深圳野生动物园
Shenzhen’s zoo featuring many international and local critters.
Happy Valley 深圳欢乐谷
Thrill rides and adventure park.
Xiaomeisha Sea World 小梅沙海洋世界
Near Dameisha, Sea World features live aquatic performances and marine creature displays, whilst dated it’s still a worthwhile visit if you’re in the area.
Dapeng Peninsula 较场尾
Dapeng Peninsula is a secret gem of Shenzhen, a beautiful coastal and naturally scenic area featuring several beaches and coastal villages.
Dapeng Fortress 大鹏所城
Pengcheng Village, Dapeng Town, Shenzhen. Shenzhen’s only real piece of ancient traditional China. There are three main streets in the city, namely Dongmen Street, Nanmen Street and Zhengjie Street. The main buildings include Zuoying Department, Zhao Gong Temple, and Tianhou Temple.
Da Mei Sha Park 大梅沙
Dameisha Beach Park has the longest beach in Shenzhen, the sea is clear, the beach is vast, sandy soft, is a set of leisure, tourism, sports, and entertainment as one of the tourist destination.
Dutch floral town 荷兰花卉小镇
It is a theme park integrating recreation, popular science, exhibitions, and commerce.
Mangrove Nature Reserve 红树林自然保护区
Mangrove Nature Reserve flat, open, with marsh, shallow water and trees and other natural landscape, where you can watch the sunset and enjoy nature.
Sino-British Street 中英街
Historic remnants of the British adventures in China.
OCT LOFT Creative Culture Park 华侨城创意文化园
OCT Creative Cultural Park is located in the eastern part of Shenzhen OCT Industrial Park, is transformed from the old factory into a creative industry studio.
Guanyuan Jiulongshan Flower Fairy Valley 观澜九龙山花仙谷
Jiulongshan Flower Fairy Valley original flower theme park is located in Shenzhen, “the city center, paradise.” The original beautiful ecological environment, rich forest cover, gully streams, streams, lakes.
Mission Hills landscape tourism park culture 观澜山水田园旅游文化园
Mission Hills Pastoral Tourism and Culture Park Adjacent to the world famous Mission Hills Golf Club, is a modern urban paradise. Including luxury accommodation, hot springs, sports and entertainment in one eco-tourism area.
Shiyan Lake Spa Resort 石岩湖温泉度假村
The outdoor activities here are numerous, mainly hot spring and also horseback riding, bumper cars, and so on.
Diwan Building – 地王大厦
Take an elevator to the top and enjoy the view.
Evergreen Resort 青青世界
Nature, walks, murals in Nanshan.
Fairy Lake Botanical Garden and Hongfa Temple 仙湖植物园
Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden is located in the northeastern suburbs of Shenzhen City, east of Shenzhen, the first peak Wutong Mountain, is a research, science, tourism as one of the famous botanical gardens and scenic spots. Hongfa Temple is the city’s number one Buddhist temple.
Bright farm 光明农场
Little pig in the sound of the gongs, scrambling to jump elegantly from the platform, the fun of everyone
Dongchong and Xichong 东冲海滩
Sandy shore, gravel beach, islands, reefs, sea rocks, holes, bridges, columns and other sea eroded landform development is complete, give you great sea views. Xichong Beach is one of the “Eight Most Beautiful Beaches in China” by World Geographic magazine.
Lotus Hill Park 莲花山公园
Park green, environmental protection, nature, harmony as the keynote, in a dignified and rustic style to attract the general public and tourists, is a scenic, pleasant environment and leisure resort.
Dafen oil painting village 大芬油画村
Dafen Oil Painting Village, Buji Town, Longgang District, Shenzhen Buji Village Committee under the jurisdiction of a village group, due to the development of the oil painting industry has begun to take shape.
Yangmei pit 杨梅坑
Located in Daya Bay, Yang Mei Hang is a beautiful paradise for wedding photography and is said to be the most beautiful valley in Shenzhen.
Gan Hang Hakka town 甘坑客家小镇
Gan Hang Hakka town, located in Buji Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen Gan community, by the Peking University Institute for master planning.
Jiulongshan Scenic Area 九龙山风景区
Jiulongshan is located in Jiulongshan Scenic Spot, Zhongling Yuxiu, Guanlan Town, Shenzhen City. It boasts a total golf course of 6939 yards with an 18-hole par 72 international standard golf course, driving range, agricultural sightseeing area and complete leisure and entertainment facilities.
Wutong Mountain 梧桐山
Wutong Mountain peak for the first peak in Shenzhen, Wutongshan is the coastal, mountainous and natural vegetation as the main urban landscape of the natural scenic area, the national scenic area.
Shenzhen Bay Park 深圳湾公园
Shenzhen Bay Park is located on the southwest coast of Shenzhen City, east of Futian Mangrove Birds Nature Reserve, south of Shenzhen Bay, across the sea overlooking the Hong Kong Mai Po Nature Reserve. About 11 km along the coastline, Shenzhen is the only intensive coastal leisure belt.
Qiangiang Hill 七娘山
Located on the Dapeng Peninsula in Longgang District, Qiangiang Mountain is the second highest mountain next to Wutong Mountain in Shenzhen. It has seven peaks, the main peak altitude of 867 meters. Legend has it that seven fairy descendants to play in the mountains named. During the period of the Anti-Japanese War, the Dongjiang Column held an arsenal in the village of Zhaogongbark, a mountainous province, and planted grain at the foot of the hill. Qiangiang mountains lush vegetation, beautiful scenery …
Shenzhen Museum 深圳博物馆
Although Shenzhen is a relatively young city, its history is equally respectable and retrospective and has a significant weight. Shenzhen Museum was established in 1981, opened in November 1988. Shenzhen Museum is a geo-based integrated museum, are the cultural relics collection and historical research center in Shenzhen. The main goal is to become a “domestic first-class, international knowledge …
Nanao Island 南澳
Nanao Island is located in the Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan provinces at the junction of the sea, the geographical position is extremely advantageous, as early as the Ming Dynasty has been “maritime market” title. Has unique tourist resources, port resources, and aquatic resources.
Tin Hau Temple 天后宫
Traditional Chinese temple dedicated to the sea goddess.
Lychee Park 荔枝公园
Litchi Park to “elegant, quiet, quiet” as the guiding theme of the park, focusing on the natural landscape-based, plant landscaping as the focus.
Phoenix Mountain 凤凰山
Fenghuang Mountain is honored as the first mountain of Baoan, located in the east of Fenghuang Village, Fuyong Town, Bao’an District, at an elevation of 678 meters and a radius of 1.2 kilometers.
Xin’an Old City 新安故城
Shenzhen Xin’an Gucheng is located at Nantou Flyover North of Nanshan District, Shenzhen, covering an area of about 70,000 square meters. Also known as the ancient city of Nantou, with a long history of 1730 years. According to historical records, Xin’an County was set up in the first year of the Ming Dynasty (1573) T.
Nanshan Mountain 大南山
Starting at Shekou it’s a nice half day walk up and down the mountain enjoying the scenery and views.
F518 fashion creative garden F518时尚创意园
Bao’an District, the upgrading of the old industrial park demonstration project into a relaxing cafe area and creative park.
Dongmen Pedestrian Street 东门步行街
Shopping mega area. Mostly fashion and loads of wholesale fashion stores with some new retail additions.
Zhongshan Park 中山公园
Zhongshan Park is the oldest park in Shenzhen, constructing 14 scenic spots and becoming a comprehensive public recreational park with the historical, cultural and educational significance as well as the modern atmosphere and traditional colors.
Alps Snow World 阿尔卑斯冰雪世界
China’s largest indoor snow paradise — the Alps snow world, includes ice slide, ice castle and more.
The Top 40 Attraction Map and my picks for the top hotels in Shenzhen
For even more about Shenzhen visit Shenzhen Shopper which has transport guides, current Shenzhen weather reports, a guide to Hotels in Shenzhen, attractions, and of course guides to shopping in Shenzhen.
Get the Book – Essential Shenzhen – Essential Shenzhen is the must-have travel companion for visiting and living in Shenzhen, China. Packed with key facts on transport, how to travel in and out of the city by China’s new High-Speed Rail services plus detailed info on the top shopping malls, wholesale markets, entertainment options and unique spots in the city known only to locals.