Shenzhen travel guide

Shenzhen is one of the country's major economic hotspots. Its land, sea and air transport network is comprehensive. Thanks to its natural proximity to Hong Kong and Macau, it has long played a very important role in cooperation with both.

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is located in Bao'an District, about 35 km from the city centre. It has flights to more than 60 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Urumqi, Shenyang and Dalian, and international routes to Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta and Luxembourg.

Route 330 is a dedicated airport shuttle bus to the city centre, running every 15–20 minutes. The journey takes 40 minutes and the fare is ¥20 per person.

The Da Jingjiu (Greater Beijing–Kowloon) and the Jingguang and Guangjiu (Beijing–Guangzhou and Guangzhou–Kowloon) main railway lines converge in Shenzhen and connect it to Hong Kong, integrating the mainland and Hong Kong. Rail travel is therefore very convenient.

Shenzhen currently has four high-speed rail lines: the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express (Guangzhou–Shenzhen section), the Wuhan–Guangzhou HSR, the Wuhan–Shenzhen HSR and the Xiamen–Shenzhen HSR. From Shenzhen you can take high-speed trains direct to Guangzhou, Changsha, Wuhan and Xiamen, and you can also reach Hengyang, Yueyang, Chibi and Chaoshan.

Shenzhen has several long-distance bus stations, including Luohu, Yinhu, Futian, Donghu, Nantou and Shatoujiao. Daily coaches run to cities across Guangdong and to Hainan, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Sichuan, Hubei and Zhejiang.

There are six water ports, including Yantian, Shekou and Chiwan. Shekou Passenger Port is located at the junction of Shekou Port–Macau Road and Industrial Avenue, with scheduled sailings every day to Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Macau and Hong Kong.

Shenzhen has numerous bus routes, and Routes 1 and 2 are double-decker sightseeing buses. About 8,000 taxis also run along routes across the city, so getting around is very convenient.

Shenzhen Metro currently has Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6 Branch, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 20 in operation. It uses distance-based fares: each pair of adjacent stations counts as one section, and every four sections make up one zone. The starting fare is ¥2, which covers three sections, and each move into the next zone adds ¥1.

There are currently over 1,000 bus routes in Shenzhen, so getting around by bus is very convenient. Shenzhen buses use either a flat-fare system or a distance-based system. Flat-fare buses cost ¥1–¥2. Distance-based buses charge according to how far you travel, with fares from ¥1 to ¥10. Note that on some buses you only tap your card when boarding, while on others you must tap both when boarding and alighting. If you forget to tap when getting off, you will be charged the maximum fare. Always check the signs inside the carriage or listen for the audio announcements.

1. Routes beginning with M are trunk routes.

2. Routes beginning with B are feeder routes, with a flat fare of ¥1.

3. Routes beginning with E are express routes, and their fares are generally higher.

4. Routes beginning with GF are peak-hour routes, operating only during the morning and evening rush hours.

5. Routes beginning with N are night routes.

Intercity buses connect Shenzhen with Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Huizhou and other cities. Shenzhen's current intercity routes include Chang 18, Chang 19, Chang 58, Chang 68, Chang 328, Shenzhen–Huizhou Line 1, Shenzhen–Huizhou Line 2, Shenzhen–Dongguan Line 1, Shenzhen–Dongguan Line 2, Chang 5, Chang 7, Chang 9, Chang 10, Kang 11, Chang 16, Chang 21 and Chang 28.

Taxis in Shenzhen start at ¥10 for the first 2 km, then charge ¥2.7 per km beyond 2 km.

Shenzhen is a genuine immigrant city, so its food brings together the best of China's cuisines. Chiu Chow, Cantonese, Sichuan, Beijing, Hunan, Northeastern and Shaanxi dishes are all well represented. Cantonese and Sichuan food here tends to be inexpensive, while Shaanxi and Northeastern dishes are pricier. Hunan food is tasty, though not as fiery as in Changsha. Chiu Chow cuisine is especially popular with people from all walks of life.

Restaurants are concentrated around Dongmen in Luohu. Eateries along Shennan Boulevard are a little pricier, while the food court in Futian is very affordable. For seafood, try “Nan’ao Fishing Island”.

Many small streets, little shops and street-side stalls in Shenzhen often have Mercedes and BMWs parked outside. People eating in such humble places are not doing it to save money; the food is genuinely delicious.

Huaqiangbei is also a magnet for food lovers. From Shangbu Road Junction onward, eateries of all sizes line the streets, and gourmands gather here to sample eight major cuisines.

Accommodation in Shenzhen ranges clearly from budget to luxury. Star-rated hotels are opulent, well equipped and offer full services, with room rates in city-centre hotels being especially expensive. There are also hundreds of guesthouses. Most have pleasant surroundings, tidy rooms and attentive service, and generally include a canteen for visitors. They are convenient, safe and inexpensive, making them an ideal choice for independent travellers.

As a Special Economic Zone bordering Hong Kong and Macau, Shenzhen is a shopping paradise. Its goods are fashionable and on-trend, with innovative designs and low prices. Electronics, clothing, appliances, watches, jewellery, leather goods and seafood products are especially popular with visitors from other parts of China.

Under the night sky, Shenzhen is a dazzling pearl on the shores of the South China Sea. Traffic flows along the streets, neon lights flicker over the busy downtown, and skyscrapers glow in colourful light, a truly beautiful sight. If you don't fancy the night markets, simply sit back and take it all in!

Shenzhen's bars are mostly pure and unpretentious: they serve only drinks, but with a complete range and distinctive flavours. Nightclubs are packed and wild.