Shenzhen - Do & See
This most cosmopolitan of Chinese cities is all about modernity. From great food, shopping and clubbing to stunning vistas across to Hong Kong, you won’t be bored. The city is large and sprawling but the metro system is simple, efficient and goes to most of the venues on your tick-off list. Four-meter wide Chung Ying street links Hong Kong to Shenzhen in Luo Ho in just a few hundred easy steps. Huanguang, Dongmen & Bagua food markets in the city centre are a vibrant introduction to the succulent tastes of China’s mainland. Fancy a night out? Then you are sure to find yourself in Shekou district at some stage dancing the night away in one of the city’s many nightclubs while the city’s balmy weather means its possible virtually all year-round to head out in shorts and t-shirt. Beyond the city proper, the special economic zone hosts the Overseas Chinese Town where its four massive theme parks are also the venue for a series of international festivals celebrating music, beer, food and dance at various times of the year. And, while the SEZ may seem rather quaint now in terms of China’s development, there is real history here. Former party secretary Deng Xiaoping chose the SEZ in 1992 to give the Chinese people the message that: “Poverty is not socialism: to get rich is glorious.” The city has certainly followed that blueprint in the ensuing years.
Overseas Chinese Town at Shenzhen bay is a 35-40 minute ride from Lo Wu metro station on Line 1 to Shijiezhichuang metro. The Happy Line monorail can whisk you to the main theme parks and other tourist facilities.
A microcosm of the world’s most famous landmarks in one afternoon’s tour with more than a 100 models including the Eiffel Tower, the pyramids, Cambodia’s Angkor Kwat and the Taj Mahal. It’s even got a 4,000 square meter indoor Alpine ski run. Festivals through the year are regular too including a beer festival in the summer and a dance festival in December.
Splendid China
This to scale map of China with all of the country’s most famous landmarks is set on a 30 hectare site. Xian’s terracotta army, Sichuan’s Leshan Buddha and of course the Great Wall are all here. It just might give you a few more ideas beyond the classic staples of a China mainland tour.
Folk Culture Village
Any notion of one homogeneous nation is quickly dispelled at Folk Culture Village. Some 50 plus ethnic groups including the Naxi from Yunnan and the Uighur from Mongolia are recreated by more than 500 performers depicting their life, costume, customs, song and language.
Happy Valley
A Disney-style water wonderland with thrilling rides and other water-related activities.
Near the OTC, Dameisha coastal park has exceptional sandy beaches with warm water virtually all year round and spectacular panoramic views with mountains encircling and Hong Kong in the distance.
Chung Ying Street
The 250 metres long, 4 meters wide street is certainly one of the more interesting ways to cross from Hong Kong to Shekou town in Shenzhen.
Di Wang Building
Take the lift to the 68th floor for the best panorama of the ever-expanding city centre. Fifth largest in China and still in the World’s top 10 tallest buildings.
If you want a bit of greenery, this is your best bet downtown. Located off Hongling Lu, it’s focal point is a lake with tea houses in attendance.
Home to a multitude of artworks focusing on calligraphy.
Soviet aircraft, Russian folk dancing and the centre point itself, the battleship Minsk, might seem slightly incongruous in south China but it makes for an interesting outing.
Hundreds of works of art from one of China’s most famous contemporary artists.
The 600 year old fortress approximately 90 minutes from Shenzhen can be a welcome antidote to the city’s modernity. Still retains much of its original character.
