Known by many as ‘the city of the future’, there is much to see in Shenzhen. This city in the Guangdong region is one of the most technologically and economically advanced cities in the country. Shenzhen is a city with a unique cultural heritage, replete with monuments and impressive buildings such as the Kingkey 100, a skyscraper that towers above the rest of the Shenzhen skyline.
This vast metropolis of more than 10 million people attracts tourists from all over the world with its majestic parks, such as the impressive Splendid China & Folk Culture Village and the Window of The World park, two unique enclaves to enjoy on your trip to Shenzhen. Among its streets, you’ll also be able to enjoy pure commerce, with a wide variety of goods. Read on to find out all there is to see in Shenzhen, China.
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What are the best places to see in Shenzhen?
Sea World, one of the squares to see in Shenzhen
One of the most popular squares for locals and tourists alike. Sea World Square is a unique place to visit in Shenzhen, with a large number of shops and restaurants that look like they’ve just stepped out of the centre of any European city, where you can enjoy a wide range of imported products.
And if there’s one thing that stands out in the centre of the square, it’s a French navy’s ocean liner. After its use ceased, it was remodelled as a hotel that houses some of the square’s most renowned entertainment venues. It is also the venue for a show that often attracts the attention of the crowds, who crowd around while enjoying a drink on the terraces in the area.
It is also a very good area to stay in. Despite the popularity of the square, the rest of the neighbourhood is quieter than other areas and has a number of hotels where you can relax after the endless list of things to see in Shenzhen.
Tian Hou Temple
Of course, it’s not all technology and progress in China’s Sillicon Valley. And despite Shenzhen’s astronomical growth and subsequent transformation into the cradle of China’s technological development, there are still enclaves that transport you to the more traditional essence of the country.
The Tian Hou Temple is one such place. Located near the popular Sea World Square, this Song dynasty temple still persists, despite having been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.
It’s the perfect place to take a peaceful break from all the things to see in Shenzhen and learn more about the city’s ancient history. For just 15 yuan, you can enter the grounds, which also include the Drum Tower. The temple is not one of the most touristy places in the city. So, even if you visit in the summer, you’ll still be able to see it at your leisure.
The Splendid China Folk Village
As soon as you land in Shenzhen, you’ll realise that despite the sheer size of the city, there’s always a place for people-friendly spaces that leave no one indifferent, and the Splendid China Folk Village is definitely one of those must-see spaces in Shenzhen.
This impressive park actually consists of two parts: the first, Splendid China is filled with miniatures of China’s most recognisable landmarks, as well as exact replicas of iconic Chinese sites and other things to see in Shenzhen. This is also true of the Window of the World, another of Shenzhen’s most renowned parks.
The second part of the tour, the China Folk Culture Village, features a tour of the 26 villages and 56 ethnic groups that make up China’s tapestry of cultures. In addition, you’ll find a range of performances, exhibitions and festivals held on certain dates that are important to the people of Shenzhen.
The price is not excessive, at around 150 yuan, and there are several bus routes available, including the green LuoBao Line 1 LuoBao.
Luohu District, a unique place to see in Shenzhen
If there is a district that deserves a visit on your trip to the metropolis of Shenzhen, it is the Luohu district, as it is one of the most essential places in the city, with an air that still reminds you of the most traditional areas of the country, a fact that invites you to lose yourself in its streets full of cultural variety.
Among the things you can find, this district is home to one of the largest shopping areas in the city, with different shopping centres, as well as the well-known Dongmen shopping street, an area ideal for shopping for all kinds of luxury and imported goods that are traded here.
Dongmen is a very lively area and even if you’re not going to buy anything, strolling through it after dark is a visual spectacle, as there are a myriad of posters, signs and other items that light up when the daylight fades. It’s a must-see in this Shenzhen neighbourhood.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Shenzhen, China?
The Dapeng Fortress
Built more than five centuries ago in 1934, this splendid construction is one of the most recognisable in the vicinity of Shenzhen. It was originally used to protect the region from Japanese invaders, but over the years its function has changed and it has become a purely recreational building, which is in very good condition.
In addition to the impressive fortress, at its foot is the village of Jiaochangwei, a fishing village that today has become almost entirely focused on tourism, although there is also room for the properties of wealthy people who reside there.
Between the streets of the village and the walls of the fortress, you’ll find street vendors selling local and artisan products. Not only that, but the alleyways throughout the place are one of the quickest ways to travel back in time, preserving the essence of centuries-old China.
Although it’s a bit of a drive from Shenzhen (approximately fifty kilometres), it won’t take you long to get there and there is a combination of buses to get you there. Another option is to hire a private shuttle service or opt for a taxi.
What to see in 3 days in Shenzhen?
The truth is that Shenzhen is full of nooks and crannies to explore, technological wonders to discover and traditional sites to explore. But if you want to try to get the most out of your visit in the shortest possible time, we recommend that you spend at least two or three days for everything there is to see in Shenzhen.
Shenzhen is also a metropolis made up of several districts that might as well be cities in their own right. That’s why the best thing to do is to organise your trip based on the districts that most appeal to you, in order to optimise the time you’ll need to see everything that district encompasses. We recommend mostlythe Nanshan district for a short visit, although the city has 7 districts.
Nanshan District
If you want to see Sea World Square and visit the Tian Hou Temple, your best bet is to stay in the Nanshan district, in the southwesternmost part of Shenzhen, which is also one of the areas where the tech companies that have made the city the tech hub that it is are located. Here you’ll also find the Nanhai E-Cool, a former factory that is now home to a veritable garden of modern venues and shopping areas.
The Nanshan district is also home to the impressive Mount Nanshan, which is very accessible from Sea World and is a great experience if you enjoy hiking. The circular route up and down takes about three hours.
Another of the things we’ve told you about that you’ll find here is the Splendid China Folk Village, as well as another park worth visiting, the Window of the World. You’ll also find a theme park called Happy Valley, which is perfect for sharing with the little ones.
Where and what to eat in Shenzhen?
The gastronomy of the Cantonese region of Shenzhen is very rich and is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of travelling to a region like Shenzhen. We’ve left you with a few recommendations of places to enjoy it:
- Social All Day Dining Restaurant
- The Shenzen Kitchen
- Paletto Italian Restaurant
Where to stay in Shenzhen?
To make your stay much more enjoyable, we’ve put together a short list of some accommodation for your days in Shenzhen:
- LIA Hotel Xili Branch: A discreet and simple three-star hotel, located in the Nanshan district, with full amenities. It is priced at around €60 per night.
- Ming Wah International Convention Centre: A more luxurious option, with all the amenities of a large hotel. Breakfast included and nightly rate is around €76.
- Shenzhen Mint Apartment: An flat in the centre of the Futian district, with no great aspirations but it serves its purpose. It’s priced at 89€ a night.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Shenzhen?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. Take inspiration from the routes we present in the post.
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app. Recommend other travellers what to see in Shenzhen in China.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: Plan & manage your travel itinerary
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Shenzhen
There are a number of flights available from cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. The flights on dates such as June costing from €1000 and upwards for a return trip. Bear in mind that you will have at least one stopover on your journey or more, depending on availability and what you pay.
LIA Hotel Xili Branch, Ming Wah International Convention Centre and Shenzhen Mint Apartment.
Social All Day Dining Restaurant , The Shenzen Kitchen and Paletto Italian Restaurant.
Getting around the city is a breeze, as the public transport system is fast and affordable. You have a system of subways, buses, rental bicycles and of course, taxi and private transport services.
Another option is motorbike taxis. Bbut this is not something we recommend. Although they are still plentiful in many areas, they are not authorised methods of transport and you’ll have to negotiate fares.
Shenzhen is located in a very warm climate zone, where sunny days abound throughout the year, but are also interspersed with rainfall due to its subtropical climate.
It will depend a bit on your preferences. During winter, the weather is more prone to cloudy skies. In summer the temperature is much higher and the humidity soars.
The rainiest months are between May and September, throughout the summer season. Although they are interspersed with the sunniest and most enjoyable days to appreciate what there is to see in Shenzhen.
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