Trip Planning Guide
Shenzhen is better suited for experiencing modern China, urban design, technological atmosphere, seaside leisure, shopping and dining, and a trip to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. For foreign tourists, Shenzhen is a great stop on any itinerary including Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao, or the Pearl River Delta.
Who is Shenzhen suitable for?
Shenzhen is suitable for the following types of tourists:
* First-time visitors to South China: Ideal to combine with trips to Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
* Those who enjoy modern cities: High-rise buildings, shopping districts, technology parks, and city parks are all representative.
* Business and exhibition visitors: Convenient transportation and a wide selection of hotels, suitable for short stays.
* Families and families with children: Theme parks, beaches, parks, and shopping centers are all easily accessible.
* Those who want to experience the changes in Chinese cities: Shenzhen showcases the modern urban landscape of China after the reform and opening up.
How many days should I spend in Shenzhen?
1 day: Suitable for business transit, including Futian/Nanshan business districts, Shenzhen Bay, or Happy Coast.
2 days 1 night: Suitable for first-time visitors, allowing you to see the city center, the seaside, and a themed attraction.
3 days 2 nights: Highly recommended, including Nanshan, Futian, Yantian beaches, or Dapeng Peninsula.
4-5 days: Suitable for a leisurely trip, combined with visits to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, or Dongguan.
6 days or more: A Greater Bay Area itinerary is recommended: Shenzhen + Hong Kong + Guangzhou + Macau.
How are Shenzhen's main areas grouped?
1. Futian/City Center: Suitable for first-time visitors to Shenzhen. It features a civic center, shopping malls, hotels, business districts, and subway connections, making it a great core area for accommodation and city experience.
2. Nanshan/Shenzhen Bay: Ideal for viewing the modern city, seaside promenades, and technological atmosphere. Shenzhen Bay Park, Talent Park, Happy Coast, and Shekou are all easy to explore.
3. Luohu/Dongmen: Suitable for experiencing the old Shenzhen commercial atmosphere, snacks, and shopping. It's closer to the traditional city center and conveniently connects to the Hong Kong border
4. Yantian/Dameisha/Xiaomeisha: Suitable for seaside relaxation and family trips. It's farther from the city center, so a half-day to a full day is recommended.
5. Dapeng Peninsula: Suitable for tourists who want to see a more natural coastline, ancient city, and a slower pace of travel. It's farther away, so a day trip or overnight stay is recommended.
What are the best travel styles to experience in Shenzhen?
Shenzhen offers three main travel options:
Modern City Style: Futian + Nanshan + Shenzhen Bay + Shopping Districts
Seaside Leisure Style: Shenzhen Bay + Yantian Beach + Dapeng Peninsula
Greater Bay Area Combination Style: Shenzhen + Hong Kong / Guangzhou / Macau
What are some good combinations with Shenzhen?
Shenzhen + Hong Kong: The most common combination, suitable for 2-4 days.
Shenzhen + Guangzhou: Modern city + Lingnan culture, suitable for 3-5 days.
Shenzhen + Hong Kong + Macau: Suitable for multi-city trips within the Greater Bay Area.
Shenzhen + Guangzhou + Foshan: Suitable for food, city, and Lingnan cultural experiences.
Shenzhen + Huizhou/Dapeng: Suitable for beach trips and short getaways.
If it's your first time visiting South China, Guangzhou + Shenzhen + Hong Kong is highly recommended. If time is limited, Shenzhen and Hong Kong is the most convenient combination.
Food & Dining Guide
Shenzhen is a city of immigrants, and its cuisine is incredibly diverse. You can find Cantonese food, dim sum, Chaoshan beef hot pot, seafood, Hakka cuisine, as well as restaurants from all over China and internationally.
Must-Try Foods
1. Cantonese Dim Sum: A representative Cantonese culinary experience, including shrimp dumplings, siu mai, char siu bao, rice noodle rolls, chicken feet, egg tarts, etc.
Reference price: 60–150 yuan per person
2. Chaoshan Beef Hot Pot：High-quality Chaoshan beef hot pot is readily available in Shenzhen, featuring fresh cuts of beef and a light broth.
Reference Price: 100–200 RMB/person
3. Roast Goose / Char Siu: Classic Cantonese roasted meat, suitable for serving with rice or as a main meal.
Reference Price: 40–100 RMB/serving
4. Rice noodle rolls: A common Cantonese breakfast, made by steaming rice flour batter into thin sheets and filling them with beef, shrimp, eggs, or char siu.
Reference price: 10–30 yuan per serving
5. Hong Kong-style cafes/casual dining: Shenzhen is close to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong-style cafes are very common, offering dishes such as pineapple buns, milk tea, wonton noodles, and roast meat rice.
Reference price: 40–100 RMB/person
Recommended Dining Areas:
Futian District: Concentrated with business districts and shopping areas, suitable for formal dinners, Cantonese cuisine, tea restaurants, and international dining.
Nanshan/Shenzhen Bay: Wide variety of restaurants, suitable for seaside trips, modern restaurants, cafes, and light meals.
Luohu/Dongmen: More of a traditional Shenzhen atmosphere, suitable for snacks, roast meats, tea restaurants, and local casual dining.
Shekou: Strong international atmosphere, suitable for seafood, Western food, bars, and casual dinners.
Yantian/Dapeng: Suitable for seafood and seaside restaurants, but travel time is longer; recommended for combining with seaside trips.
Getting There & Around
Shenzhen is an important transportation city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, suitable for connecting Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macao and other cities in the Pearl River Delta.
How to get to Shenzhen?
1. By Air | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is suitable for arrivals from other Chinese cities or some international routes, and is also suitable for routes into the Pearl River Delta and surrounding areas of Hong Kong.
Metro to the city center:
Subway: Low price, suitable for travelers with light luggage, approximately 5-10 RMB
Didi/Taxi: More convenient, suitable for travelers with luggage or arriving late, approximately 70-120 RMB/vehicle
Airport transfer: Suitable for families, business travelers, or groups traveling together
2. High-Speed Rail | Shenzhen North Station
Shenzhen North Station is the main high-speed rail station, suitable for arrivals from Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Changsha, Xiamen, Guilin, and other destinations.
Means to the city center:
Shenzhen North Station → Futian: Approx. 20–40 minutes
Shenzhen North Station → Nanshan: Approx. 30–50 minutes
Shenzhen North Station → Luohu: Approx. 35–60 minutes
3. High-Speed Rail/Border Ports | Futian Station, Luohu Station
Futian Station is suitable for tourists staying in the city center or business district, and also provides convenient access to Hong Kong West Kowloon. Luohu Station is more suitable for those crossing the border from Hong Kong or those living near the old city area.
Suitable for:
Shenzhen + Hong Kong combined routes
Business travelers
People staying near Futian, Luohu, or the Convention and Exhibition Center
How to get around Shenzhen?
1. Subway: Shenzhen's subway system has extensive coverage, suitable for most urban areas. It's convenient for getting to Futian, Nanshan, Luohu, the airport, and Shenzhen North Railway Station. One-way fare is approximately 2-10 RMB.
Suitable for: city attractions and shopping districts, airport/high-speed rail station access, and travel between Futian, Nanshan, and Luohu.
2. Didi/Taxi: Suitable for those with luggage, traveling at night, going to the beach, or areas where the subway is inconvenient. Short trips within the city: approximately 20-50 RMB; Futian → Nanshan: approximately 40-90 RMB.
3. Border Crossing: There are multiple border crossings between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, such as Futian Port, Luohu Port, Shenzhen Bay Port, and Liantang Port.
Recommendations:
Confirm visa application, opening hours, and customs clearance methods before going to Hong Kong.
If you have a lot of luggage, choose a border crossing more convenient for taxi transfers.
Customs clearance times may be longer on weekends and holidays.
Accommodation and Transportation Recommendations
First-time visitor to Shenzhen
We recommend staying near Futian, Nanshan, Shenzhen Bay, or the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center for better transportation and dining options.
Business/Exhibition Visitors
Prioritize areas near Futian CBD, the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, and Nanshan Science and Technology Park.
For convenient access to Hong Kong
Consider areas near Futian Port, Luohu, or Shenzhen Bay Port, but this depends on your Hong Kong destination.
For seaside relaxation
If you're mainly visiting Yantian and Dapeng, consider staying overnight by the sea. Daily commutes from the city center are not recommended.
