Name: Shenzhen Chinese Name: 深圳 Province: Guangdong Status: Sub-Provincial City Population: 10,470,000 inhabitants Area: 1,991.64 km²

Shenzhen is one of the major industrial cities in the Guangdong province bordering Hong Kong. This former fishing village rapidly transformed into a sprawling metropolis on the Pearl River Delta, eventually becoming China's wealthiest city.

Its geographic location enabled it to open to foreign trade, making it more of a merchant city than a cultural hub. Nevertheless, the city has treasures to offer its visitors and beaches where one can truly unwind.

History

Shenzhen was once a collection of fishing villages with limited appeal beyond commerce and river transport.

In 1979, a modernization initiative spanning agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology was launched, enabling the region to develop into a major city renamed Shenzhen. In 1980, the first Special Economic Zones (SEZs) allowing foreign companies to invest were established in Shenzhen.

Today

Shenzhen now stands as a modern city in full ferment. Chinese and foreign businessmen hustle through streets lined with skyscrapers while some locals carve out their place in the frenzy of commerce.

Despite its limited historical and cultural significance, Shenzhen has plenty to keep visitors occupied during their stay. The dynamism that thrives here and the modernity overflowing from every infrastructure make Shenzhen a city full of surprises.

Lacking natural or historical sites to draw travelers, Shenzhen has instead built spectacular theme parks showcasing imaginative representations of Chinese monuments and villages. Splendid China Park features miniature replicas of China's greatest monuments, while the Chinese Ethnic Culture Villages faithfully recreate at full scale some twenty villages of Chinese ethnic minorities. Window on the World park reproduces the world's most famous foreign monuments.

Shenzhen Museum is also well worth a visit. It houses nearly 20,000 jades, porcelains and bronzes, as well as artifacts from the fishing villages that comprised old Shenzhen.

The beaches, outside peak summer season, can be quite pleasant. A stroll along the coast will be thoroughly enjoyable and offer a stark contrast to the bustling city center.

Climate

With its subtropical climate, Shenzhen enjoys mild and pleasant weather year-round. Summers are long with warm temperatures and occasional rainfall, while winters are brief with relatively mild conditions.

The area at the mouth of the Pearl River is prone to typhoons between May and December, with heavy precipitation recorded between July and September.

Autumn is the best season to visit Shenzhen. Spring is favorable for beach walks. Avoid beaches during summer when they are overrun by Chinese tourists.

Airport

Shenzhen Bao'an Airport is one of China's major airports, handling over 100 domestic and international flights daily.

Shenzhen is thus connected to most of the major Chinese cities. The city can also be reached from the United States, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Paris…

Train

Shenzhen is one of China's most frequented cities due to its location at Hong Kong's border. The city has three major railway stations: Shenzhen Railway Station, West Station and North Station.

The main station, also known as Luohu Station, sits at the border between China and Hong Kong. The station is imposing with two levels and well served by public transport. Just over 100 trains arrive and depart daily from this vast railway platform. Trains from across China serve it, including those from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Guilin, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Hefei, Tianjin, Changsha, Nanjing, Nanchang…

North Station is a hub for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail line. It is also served by trains from Beijing and Wuhan to the north and Xiamen and Shanghai to the south.

West Station, also known as Nantou Station, no longer offers significant service routes following the construction of North Station.

Bus

Shenzhen has more than 40 long-distance bus stations. The city is indeed well served by cities in Guangdong and neighboring provinces.

Ferry

Two ferry terminals connect Shenzhen to Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai.

With nearly 500 bus lines crisscrossing the city and thousands of buses, Shenzhen lacks no means of transport. Some buses offer air-conditioning and are slightly more expensive than local buses.

Since late 2004, the city has boasted a 5-line metro system making it easy to reach the main neighborhoods.

Taxis prowl the city looking for passengers. Prices are relatively affordable.

What to Do in Shenzhen?

• Dedicate a full day to visiting the three theme parks: Chinese Ethnic Culture Villages, Splendid China and Window on the World.
• Stroll along the coast and relax on the fine sand of one of the beaches.
• Discover ancient Shenzhen at the Shenzhen Museum.