Shenzhen

Shenzhen (深圳; Shēnzhèn in Mandarin, Sāmjan in Cantonese) is one of the most populous and richest cities in China. It is in Guangdong, China on the Hong Kong border about 40 km north of Hong Kong Central and roughly 100 km south of Guangzhou. Shenzhen has been growing like crazy since the 1980s, thanks to its position on the border with Hong Kong and a government program to encourage investment. It's a dynamic, booming city whose population comes from all over China. The city has become a center for international trade and manufacturing, especially electronics, and it's on the list of UNESCO Creative Cities as a design hub. Other draws for visitors include an array of amusement parks as well as extensive, scenic mountains for hiking.

Islam in Shenzhen

Islam is a growing religion in Shenzhen, China, and there are several masjids in the city that serve the needs of the Muslim community. Two of the most prominent masjids in Shenzhen are the Shenzhen Mosque and the Shenzhen Longgang Mosque.

The Shenzhen Mosque is located at 7 Meilin Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, 518049. It is a beautiful mosque that is easily accessible by metro. To get there, take Line 2 to Sea World and then transfer to Line 9 at Jingtian and alight at Maling Metro station. Take Exit B, climb the stairs, make a U-turn out, and walk around 200 meters to see the huge white mosque. The mosque has a couple of Muslim markets and restaurants nearby. The mosque is known for its beautiful architecture and is a popular destination for Muslims in the city.

The Shenzhen Longgang Mosque is located at Zhiwuyuan Road, 341, Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, 518172. This is a small mosque located near the Nanliang metro stop, and it takes around 10 minutes to walk there. The mosque has a prayer time of 1:45 pm, and while the inside environment is good and the mosque only has a tiny place for a washroom and toilet. It's better to perform Wudu (ablution) from home before visiting the mosque. The prayer time is a little late compared to other masjids in the city, but it is still a popular place for Muslims to gather and pray.

How to find a Supermarket with Halal food in Shenzhen

Among the most popular halal supermarkets in Shenzhen is Yahya Halal Supermarket.

Located at 2002-2 Chunfeng Road, Luohu District, Yahya Halal Supermarket offers a wide range of halal-certified products, including fresh meats, seafood, dairy products, spices, and condiments. The supermarket is known for its strict adherence to halal standards, ensuring that all products sold on its premises are free from pork, alcohol, and other non-halal ingredients.

Aside from Yahya Halal Supermarket and there are also several halal restaurants in Shenzhen that offer authentic Muslim cuisine. One of them is located inside the Wal-Mart store in Nanshan, at the intersection of Shekou Industrial Avenue and Dongbin Road. This branch of Wal-Mart has three halal restaurants that serve delicious halal food, such as lamb skewers, beef noodles, and fried Rice.

• Carrefour - 家乐福, Jiālèfú | One of the biggest foreign hypermarket chains across China (over 200 stores). This French brand provides expats, tourists and Chinese people with all local and imported products they need. You will find food, fruit cocktail, appliances, clothes, etc...There are 8 stores in Shenzhen; you can find locations on their website, or just say "Jiālèfú" to a taxi driver to take you there.

• Wal-Mart | There are 8 stores of the U.S. chain, but more are being built. Also check out Carrefour, and Sam's Club (山母会员店). Sam's is a favorite shopping choice for Shenzhen's enormous and ever growing bourgeoisie and it's fun watching them. Be warned. They can be scary on a busy Sunday evening. Sam's membership is ¥250. Walmart's China HQ is in Xiangmi Hu (香密湖), above an enormous mall/cinema complex which includes a Sam's Club. Make sure you check out the crocodile of which there is always one at the fish counter.

• Jusco | The Japanese supercenter and supermarkets. It has several locations in Shenzhen, next door to the CITIC Mall (中信广场), Metro: Science Museum (科学馆), exit D, at Coco Park (Metro Gou Wu Gong Yuan) and in Coastal City (海岸城) Nanshan.

Halal Restaurants in Shenzhen

Shenzhen has a sizeable Muslim population, and as a result and there are several halal restaurants in the city. Here are some of the best halal food and restaurants in Shenzhen:

Punjabi Indian Restaurant

Located inside Jinhu Hotel in Luohu neighborhood, Punjabi Indian Restaurant is known for serving delicious Indian and (Pakistani) cuisine. The restaurant is popular among local residents and tourists alike, and its menu includes a variety of halal dishes, including curries, biryanis, and tandoori dishes.

Yirong Muslim Restaurant

This restaurant in Luohu neighborhood specializes in Xinjiang Uyghur cuisine, which is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes. The restaurant is located near Shenzhen Railway Station and is a popular spot for local residents and tourists who want to sample authentic halal food from the Xinjiang region.

Xinjiang Xuelian

Another popular halal restaurant in Luohu neighborhood, Xinjiang Xuelian is known for its delicious Uyghur dishes, including lamb Kebab, naan bread, and spicy noodles. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family.

A Thousand & One Night

This restaurant in Luohu neighborhood specializes in Arabian cuisine, and its menu includes a variety of halal dishes, including hummus, falafel, and shawarma. The restaurant is located opposite the Shenzhen Muslim Hotel and is a great place to enjoy authentic Middle Eastern food in a relaxed and comfortable setting.

Xixiawang Restaurant

This restaurant in Futian neighborhood is known for its delicious Northwest China Muslim cuisine. Its menu includes a variety of halal dishes, including lamb soup, fried Rice, and Noodles dishes. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

Zhongfayuan Restaurant at Jingtian

This restaurant in Jingtian Road specializes in local Shenzhen Muslim cuisine. Its menu includes a variety of halal dishes, including dumplings, fried Rice, and Noodles dishes. The restaurant is located in a quiet residential area and is a great place to enjoy a meal in a peaceful and relaxing environment.

Zhongfayuan Restaurant at Chunfenglu

This restaurant in Luohu neighborhood is another great spot to enjoy local Shenzhen Muslim cuisine. Its menu includes a variety of halal dishes, including lamb skewers, beef noodles, and fried Rice. The restaurant is located near Shenzhen Railway Station and is a popular spot for local residents and tourists alike.

Xinyue Muslim Restaurant

This restaurant in Nanyuan Road specializes in local Shenzhen Muslim cuisine, and its menu includes a variety of halal dishes, including spicy lamb, beef noodles, and fried Rice. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

Muslim Hotel Restaurant

Located on the first floor of the Shenzhen Muslim Hotel in Luohu neighborhood, this restaurant is known for its delicious local Shenzhen Muslim cuisine. Its menu includes a variety of halal dishes, including dumplings, noodles, and fried Rice. The restaurant is a great place to enjoy a meal in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Shenzhen Halal Travel Guide

In 1980, Shenzhen — then a group of farming and fishing communities along the Hong Kong border with a total population of a few hundred thousand — was designated the first of China's List of Chinese provinces and regions#Development zones|Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The plan was to create a sealed off enclave to experiment with market reforms and performance incentives without posing a threat or risk to the established political and economic system elsewhere in China. Shenzhen won the honor because of its proximity to the abundant capital resources and management expertise across the border in Hong Kong. Since then, it has been a real boom town and today is a bustling city of around 20 million. It's full of skyscrapers and factories, but also surprisingly green with lots of trees, parks, and mountains.

Residents will tell you Shenzhen is a young city, and it's true in two senses: the city itself is new, and it's also full of young people, drawn to Shenzhen from other parts of China by the city's job opportunities.

Shenzhen has one of the highest population densities in the world, and one of the highest per capita GDPs in China. Somewhat ignored by international Visitors, Shenzhen is a popular destination for Chinese domestic tourists who have been attracted by its famous theme parks, but as the city has developed and become richer they are increasingly drawn by Shenzhen's famous architecture, shopping, restaurants and active art scene. Shenzhen's beaches have become famous throughout China, and the city's scenic mountains are popular for hiking. Visitors are also starting to recognize some fascinating historical sites, particularly those related to the Hakka culture and Hong Kong's annexation after the Opium Wars, which are scattered throughout the suburban area. The Special Economic Zone originally included only the central neighborhoods of Nanshan, Futian, Luohu, and Yantian, but in 2010 it was expanded to include the entire city. These four central neighborhoods, located along the border with Hong Kong, remain the urban core of Shenzhen and are home to most of the city's main attractions. This area is still referred to by residents as 关内 guānnèi, "within the border", even though the border controls between these neighborhoods and the rest of Shenzhen were removed with the expansion of the SEZ. The six outer neighborhoods (关外 guānwài) – from west to east: Bao'an, Guangming, Longhua, Longgang, Pingshan, and Dapeng – are full of green mountains and sprawling but still densely populated suburbs. The eastern neighborhoods have various historic sites, including old Hakka villages, and Dapeng has popular beaches. One other area worth noting is Shekou, on metro line 2 in Nanshan neighborhood and the expat neighborhood with everything Western that you might be accustomed to as well as the main ferry terminal.

From a climate perspective and the best time to visit Shenzhen is October to December when the weather is pleasantly cool. Shenzhen has a sub-tropical climate with incredibly high humidity combined with soaring temperatures in the summer. For many, this is a season to avoid. The long intense summer also coincides with the typhoon season from June to October. Spring is cooler but is often afflicted by fog and heavy thunderstorms.

Travel to Shenzhen

Visa & Passport Requirements to enter Shenzhen

See the China page for more general information for entering mainland China.

Shenzhen is unique in that if you are travelling from Hong Kong and as long you remain in the Shenzhen special economic zone, you will not need a full China Mainland Visa. You can apply instead for a 'Special Economic Zone Tourism Visa' at the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This type of visa restricts you to Shenzhen, so do not attempt onward travel into mainland China with it. This visa is available for nationals of almost all countries, with the notable exceptions of the United States, France and the Philippines and India.

Certain nationalities arriving from Hong Kong can obtain a single-entry five-day Special Economic Zone Tourism Visa on arrival for ¥268-1,000. At the Luohu border (罗湖口岸) and the office is immediately upstairs after clearing the Hong Kong immigration and customs. It is open 09:00-23:30 seven days a week and only accepts China#Money|Chinese yuan for payment. It can be visited at +86 755-8232-7700 for enquiries.

The charge for UK passport holders is much higher at ¥669 for a five-day Shenzhen-only visa, while it costs only ¥268 for most other nationalities. Irish travelers are sometimes charged the same exorbitant UK fee when they are unlucky enough to get a border official who is unaware that the UK and Ireland are different countries. US passport holders are not eligible for this scheme and may even get fined for arriving without a valid visa! The same five-day visas are also available on arrival at the Huanggang and Shekou border offices. There is no visa-on-arrival office at the Futian border. The reason for the differing fees is that Chinese visa fees are set on a reciprocal basis.

Although the Huanggang (皇岗口岸) and Futian (福田口岸) borders are only a few hundred meters apart and they are different land crossings that connect to different points in Lok Ma Chau on the Hong Kong side. Huanggang connects to the 24-hour Lok Ma Chau Control Point, while Futian connects to the Lok Ma Chau MTR station.

Besides the five-day SEZ visa, you may also apply for a full China visa (single and double entry only) at the Luohu border. This visa can be obtained only between the hours of 09:30-16:30. Again, UK passport holders are expected to pay more and US passport holders are not entertained at all. It is better to apply for a one-year multiple-entry visa at any consulate in the U.S. for US$140. For US passport holders and the length of the visa will depend on the previous visas that have been issued. The first visa will be double-entry and the second will be six-month multiple-entries, and so forth. If you have an old Chinese visa in another passport, it will be helpful to include the old passport in the visa application.

Getting a tourist visa in Hong Kong by applying in person at the visa office now takes 3–4 days and costs HK$150–1,100. The old approach of arriving in Hong Kong and immediately applying for a visa is no longer worth the time and cost, as you will face expensive hotel bills in Hong Kong until your visa is granted. Macau's visa office is less crowded and the hotels are a bit cheaper, but it takes just as long. In general, only single and double entry visas are granted to visitors without HKID cards, although foreigners with previous entries into the mainland and Hong Kong student or work visa holders have been known to be approved for multiple entries.

Many Hong Kong travel agencies (such as CTS) offer a faster visa turnaround service for a fee. If you need to get a visa faster than using the public visa office method and are willing to pay then this would be your best option.

In addition, a travel agency has some capacity to 'negotiate' on the length of your visa. You might apply for a one year visa and have that rejected, however they may well be able to get a shorter one for you instead (i.e. 6 months) which is much better than nothing.

You can get a taxi van from Hong Kong International Airport to Shenzhen via the Huanggang border for HK$150. This fee includes ferrying you onwards to some destination within Shenzhen (e.g. hotels) after you have cleared the China immigration, but do clarify with the airport service counter staff first. Well worth it if you have a valid visa.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Shenzhen

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is the closest airport to Shenzhen. Not far away, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA Code: CAN) and Hong Kong International Airport (IATA Code: HKG) are larger alternatives offering more flights and destinations.

• Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport IATA Code: SZX - Serves many domestic locations, as well as international locations in south and southeast Asia. There are also Flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Seattle Tacoma Airport, Vancouver, Vienna, Moscow Sheremetyevo and Frankfurt.

There are a number of ways to get from the airport to Shenzhen city:

• Metro line 11 connects the airport to downtown Shenzhen in 30 minutes. Fare is around ¥20 and there is also a "business class" vehicle which costs three times as much.
• Taxis to central Futian are roughly ¥200 and to Luohu roughly ¥250 including tolls.
• E-hailing – there's a well-marked designated area for pickups from ridesharing (e-hailing) apps like Didi Chuxing. It's divided into several numbered positions (号位, hàowèi) so you can tell the driver exactly where to find you.
• Airport shuttle bus - Price is ¥20 and it will take you directly to downtown Shenzhen. You should mark down the schedule, so as not to miss the bus. There might not be English services on the shuttle bus.
• There is a helicopter service from Terminal Marítimo in Macau to Shenzhen Airport, though it is expensive.

Transportation from Hong Kong International Airport to Shenzhen

• Train - A affordable and quite comfortable way to Shenzhen is to take the Airport Express train from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to Tsing Yi and then the Tung Chung underground line to Lai King and then the Tsuen Wan Line to Prince Edward and then the Kwun Tong Line to Kowloon Tong and then the East Rail suburban rail line to Lo Wu. This costs in total HK$60 (the Airport Express fare only, because free transfers are permitted along the way) and takes 78 minutes to Lo Wu.
• Bus - Take the bus from the airport to Sheung Shui (Bus A43) and transfer to the East Rail line. The bus is cheaper (HK$30.90) and rarely full, so you are almost guaranteed a seat and a view of the outside for the whole journey. The bus terminus is to the right of the Airport Express station coming from Arrivals of HKIA. From Lo Wu you pass through a long corridor and a large international border gate (make sure to have your visa ready for this) after which you'll find yourself on the mainland, where the Shenzhen underground (Metro) will take you from Luohu station to the rest of Shenzhen.
• Ferry - There is a ferry service from Hong Kong airport to Shenzhen; check at the information desk for the schedule. Another option is to take "Skypier". This service takes you direct from HKIA to the mainland (Shekou area in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Airport Fuyong Terminal or Zhuhai) without going through Hong Kong immigrations or customs or the city. There is a booth before you get to immigration and you purchase your ticket and ask them to get your luggage transferred and then you go by bus to the ferry and then straight to China. It is cheaper, easier, and faster than going into Hong Kong Central or Kowloon. If you exit China this way you get HK$120 departure tax given to you when you arrive at HKIA.
• Private limousine van service - There are companies that operate luxury vans from HKIA to destinations in Shenzhen and Shenzhen Airport. They typically involve crossing via the Shenzhen Bay Bridge Customs Point. Passengers are often not even required to leave the vehicle at the border post, with the driver handling all the passports and details. Costs can be from HK$200 upwards. It is a unique experience, being driven on the left side of the road in Hong Kong and then the right side once on the mainland.

By land from Hong Kong

Shenzhen is connected to Hong Kong by high-speed rail, which goes from Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station to three stations in Shenzhen: Futian, Shenzhen North, and Guangmingcheng.

There are also border trains and bus connections. There are six land border crossings: Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang, Lok Ma Chau/Futian Kou'an, Lo Wu/Luohu, Sha Tau Kok/Shatoujiao, Man Kam To/Wenjindu and Shenzhen Bay (Shenzhen Wan) which is at the end of a long and elegant bridge across Shenzhen Bay.

Lo Wu/Luohu is one of two ports for train connections at the border and the most popular crossing point, operating daily 06:30-24:00. The last several trains do not go to Lo Wu and they terminate at Sheung Shui. Lo Wu is the last stop of the MTR East Rail Line. East Rail, which connects to central Kowloon at Hung Hom Station. Because Lo Wu is in Hong Kong's Border Restricted Area, MTR Eastrail is the only way to reach it. Lo Wu Station is only open for travel to Shenzhen or beyond, and a valid travel document is required to travel there.

For people travelling to Futian including the Free Trade Zone and other destinations in Central and Western Shenzhen, you can take the train from Hung Hom to Lok Ma Chau station, this is not the Lok Mau Chau/Huanggang border crossing, but the Lok Ma Chau/Futian Kou'an crossing. It connects directly to the Shenzhen Metro line 4 Futian Kou An Station. The train follows the same route as the Lowu one but turns off at the last station. This service only goes till 21:30.

The MTR East Rail Line commuter train which connects Hung Hom to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau with several intermediate stops mainly serves Hong Kong local residents. It interchanges with the urban section of the MTR at Kowloon Tong Station and East Tsim Sha Tsui Terminal. For those travelling to or from Hong Kong Island, it is recommended to transfer to Cross Harbour Bus in Hung Hom Station or the Tsuen Wan Line at East Tsim Sha Tsui.

The journey from East Tsim Sha Tsui to Lo Wu takes 42 minutes and costs HK$33–36.50, first class is charged double. However generally you can save about HK$7 if you get off and exit the gates at Sheung Shui and get back on again from Sheung Shui to Lo Wu. Trains depart every few minutes but some short trips are operated in rush hour, so check the destination screen before boarding. The train can be crowded during rush hours as it serves millions of commuters along the line as well.

The road border crossings (such as Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang) are accessible by cross-boundary coaches from Hong Kong.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is served by several domestic intercity train stations, some exclusively served by high speed trains. The most important are:

• Shenzhen Station - Shēnzhèn Zhàn 深圳站 | Immediately north of the HK border. It's a fairly small, but clean and well-organized station serving mostly Guangdong regional trains and just a handful of long-distance sleeper trains to other major cities. A high-speed shuttle service runs every 10-15 minutes to Guangzhou East Station (with alternate services continuing to Guangzhou main station - both GZ East and GZ have much more long-distance connections) - it takes approx 1 hour and costs ¥80 one way. Tickets for this service are available from a separate ticket office or from self-service machines and there is a separate platform entrance.
• Shenzhen North Station - Shēnzhèn Běi Zhàn 深圳北站 | Modern station in Longhua neighborhood, with high speed services to Hong Kong, Guangzhou South and beyond to Changsha, Wuhan, Zhengzhou and Beijing. Future high speed link to Fujian province has started trial operations. This station is not to be confused with an older freight station of the same name in Luohu neighborhood as still marked on some maps.

• Shenzhen West Station - Shēnzhèn Xī Zhàn 深圳西站 | A few services to other parts of Guangdong and some other Chinese provinces, all slow trains.

• Futian Station - Fútián Zhàn 福田站 | Fully underground high speed station opened at the endof 2022. Linked with Shenzhen metro and has direct high speed trains to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Changsha, Wuhan, Zhengzhou and Beijing

Other stations, less convenient for most travelers, include Guangmingcheng Station on the high-speed line to Hong Kong and and Guangzhou, and Pingshan Station on the line to Huizhou, Chaoshan, and Xiamen.

Travel on a Bus in Shenzhen

There are several long-distance bus stations - the most convenient is Luohu Bus Station - adjacent to the railway station and the border crossing. It has regular services to Dongguan, Guangzhou (Tianhe, Liuhua and Guangyuan stations), Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhongshan, Shantou and many other cities in Guangdong. Unlike most bus stations there is no ticket office - instead bus station employees will ask you where you are going and will direct you to the bus and you buy your ticket from the conductor on board. If you are going to Guangzhou it's important to check which bus station you will arrive at (qù nǎ ge zhàn? - lit. Go to which station?) - if you arrive at Tianhe or Liuhua bus stations then both have direct subway connections, but many go to Guangyuan bus station which is in Baiyun neighborhood and requires a long connection by bus to the downtown.

Watch out for scams at the Shenzhen bus station. For example, if you are traveling between Hong Kong Airport and Shenzhen Airport, you may have to transfer between vehicles when crossing the border from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. Your bus or limo company may supply you a sticker to attach to your shirt. When you cross over to the Shenzhen side of the border, a scam artist may spot your sticker, claim to work for the bus or limo company you are using, and demand that you pay an additional fee to complete the journey. To prevent this from happening, go to the counter or stall that represents the bus or limo company you are using. The bus or limo companies are aware of this problem but have no incentive to correct it, nor do the local authorities care, so you need to be extra careful when crossing the border crossing.

By sea

There are ferries from Hong Kong (Central (commonly called HongKong/Macau Ferry Port) and HK airport), Macau, and Zhuhai. Most services land at the ferry terminal at Shekou. The Shekou Ferry Terminal GPS 22.4714,113.9098 is connected by subway and bus services to the rest of Shenzhen.

There is also a ferry port at Shenzhen Airport Fuyong which features a bonded service to HK Airport avoiding HK customs and immigration plus check-in facilities for some flights leaving from HKIA. There are also limited services connecting the airport to Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai.

How to get around in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is big and spread out, so places can be further apart than they look on a map. When estimating travel duration within the city, don't just eyeball it—check a map app to see how long it'll take to get somewhere.

By metro

Shenzhen Metro (深圳地铁) is the most convenient and easy-to-understand method of transport in Shenzhen. Fares are ¥2-10, depending on how far you're traveling. Trains come every 3 minutes or so and the metro runs until 23:00. Stations are announced in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. There is a relatively high standard of public courtesy on the Shenzhen Metro. Some customs are unusual to Foreign Muslims. For example, people will often give their seats up to young children. Ignore the signs for the "Priority carriages for women", though—no one pays any attention, so in training they're just like all the other carriages. The Shenzhen Metro has 8 lines, 199 stations, and 286.2 km of trackage in operation, and is being rapidly expanded.

Shenzhen Metro lines are numbered.

1 - East-west from Luohu (HK Border / Shenzhen Railway Station) to Shenzhen Airport East (a misnomer as you can't easily get to the airport from the station). Most convenient line for many tourist sites. Luohu Station is connected to Lo Wu Station of Hong Kong MTR through Luohu Checkpoint in Shenzhen and Lo Wu Control Point in Hong Kong

2 - East-west from Chiwan to Xinxiu, best for ferry connections and Shekou Sea World

3 - From Yitian running northeast to Shuanglong

4 - North-south from Futian Checkpoint (HK Border) to Qinghu. Futian Checkpoint Station is connected to Lok Ma Chau Station of Hong Kong MTR through Futian Checkpoint in Shenzhen and Lok Ma Chau Control Point in Hong Kong

5 - East-west through Shenzhen's northern suburbs from Qianhaiwan to Huangbeiling

7 - East-west from Xili Lake to Tai'an

9 - East-west from Hongshuwan South to Wenjin

11 - East-west from Futian to Bitou stations, stopping at Shenzhen Airport

Buy your ticket via eHalal Travel Group at the ticket machines on the concourse. The machine will dispense a round green plastic token. Touch it on the reader on entering the station and deposit it in the slot on the turnstile on leaving. (Line 11 has the option of paying three times the regular fare to get to sit in the business class cars; in this case you'll get a yellow token instead of a green one.) The machines often reject old or worn notes.

The most convenient way to travel is to buy a Shenzhen Tong (深圳通) card at the ticket window. This is a stored value ticket, which requires a ¥20 deposit. Touch it on the turnstile reader on entering and leaving the station. There's a slight discount if you use the card instead of a token, and the card can also be used for purchases in convenience stores.

Best way to travel in Shenzhen by a Taxi

Taxi meters start at ¥20 for the first 2 kilometers and then ¥0.65 for each 250 meters. Late night costs slightly higher. There is a ¥7 fuel surcharge added to all fares.

Taxis are unusually (for China) well regulated and managed in Shenzhen. It is very rare to have a driver give you problems or take you the long way to your destination. However, be sure that the cab has a licence prominently displayed in the plastic stand provided for this purpose on the right hand dashboard of every taxi. If there is no licence, get the next cab. Unlike in neighbouring Hong Kong, it is common to find any drivers who speak English, so be sure to have the names and addresses of your destinations written in Chinese to show the taxi driver. As most taxi drivers are migrants from other parts of China and not local residents, do not expect them to be able to speak Cantonese.

Taxi drivers are notably incompetent and terrifying. If you think your life is in danger, do not be afraid to get out and get the next taxi. There is little assurance that the next driver will be any better. If you have a major problem, threaten to complain. (Use the word "tóusù" (toe-soo) meaning "complaint".) It is not clear what happens when you complain but it is expected to be bad (usually a ¥200 penalty per complaint - 5 complaints and their licence will be revoked). On the receipt you should get when the driver prints out the ticket is a phone number and his taxi licence. Use this if you want to file any type of complaint.

Blue taxis are electric and therefore slightly cheaper because they have no fuel tax. As of 2022 99% of its taxis are electric. Tipping is not expected at all, but simply round up to the next yuan.

Motorcycle taxis are very popular among local residents, but their safety is questionable given their high speeds, defiance of traffic rules, and lack of anything resembling helmets or seatbelts. If you're adventurous enough to try one, you should of course negotiate the price in advance. As with taxis and the drivers are very unlikely to speak English, so have your destination written down with Chinese characters.

Travel on a Bus in Shenzhen

Local buses run everywhere, with prices ranging from ¥2–10. On shorter lines and the fare is fixed at ¥2 or ¥2 depending on the line; these buses are exact change only, with the price displayed on a sign in Chinese (look for a number followed by the character 元). Longer lines usually range from ¥2–10 depending on distance; fares are collected by an attendant on the bus who will ask you where you're getting off and can give change. Buses are comfortable and almost always air-conditioned. Bus stops are signed in Chinese and English. The next bus stop is always announced (in Mandarin and English) although it may not be particularly comprehensible. Buses usually stop at all stops so counting stops is a viable alternative for finding out where you are. You can pay with your Shenzhen Tong card (see Metro Section), and as with the metro it gives you a discount.

Free shuttles run from the basement of Luohu's immigration building to and from diverse points of interest such as spas in the area.

What to see in Shenzhen

Museums and galleries in Shenzhen

Art and design

• Dafen Oil Painting Village - 大芬油画村; Dà​fēn​ Yóu​huà Cūn​ | In 1988, a Hong Kong businessman called Wong Kong, who had a business specialising in reproduction art, decided that there was no future in Hong Kong and set up in Dafen, even though it was not in the SEZ. Soon he was joined by artists from all over China, some classically trained but many just talented amateurs fresh from the paddy fields. And so Dafen was born. It is set in what was once a Hakka village and consists of street after street of studios, galleries, and retail outlets selling oil paintings, watercolors, and embroidered paintings. Examine things carefully, as some of the artwork is machine printed, rather than hand made. Much of it is rubbish but some of China's best artists also have studios in Dafen. For a few hundred yuan you can commission an artist to copy your favorite piece of art, your wedding photo, or photos of your family. Insist on "A" quality - it costs a little more but it's worth it. You can also get incredibly rapid framing while you wait and affordable art supplies. Drink tea with an artist in their studio, or learn a bit of Chinese calligraphy from an expert. There is also a handsome modern gallery exhibiting works by Dafen local painters.

• Guan Shan Yue Art Gallery - 关山月美术馆 | The Guan Shan Yue Gallery is dedicated to the works of Guan Shanyue, a modern master of the Ling Nan school of Chinese ink painting. The Ling Nan (Ling Nan is the Tang Dynasty name for Guangdong and Guangxi provinces) originated in the early 20th century inspired by Japanese westernising schools. Guan Shanyue studied under the masters of the school and produced some very competent art in that style. He had revolutionary associations and, after the communist takeover, became an arts bureaucrat until he was attacked during the Cultural Revolution. He donated his paintings to the Shenzhen City Government in 1993 and the gallery opened in 1997. It contains exhibits of Guan's work and hosts regular special exhibitions

• He Xiangning Art Museum - 何香凝美术馆; Hé​ Xiāng​níng​ Měi​shù​guǎn​ | China's second national modern art museum, after the National Art Gallery of China. He Xiangning was the widow of Liao Zhongkai and the leader of the pro-Moscow left of the Kuomintang during the 1920s. Liao was expected to become KMT leader after Sunday Yat-sen's death but he was assassinated by gangsters probably hired by Chiang Kai-shek. He Xiangning then became an important leader of the leftist wing of the KMT and after 1949 stayed on in Beijing. Her son, Liao Chengzhi was a leading Communist and head of the organisation which controlled the area where the He Xiangning Art Gallery is located, Overseas Chinese Town (OCT) in Eastern Shenzhen. This is why the gallery was built as a memorial to her. The gallery has shifting exhibits mainly of avant garde and modern Chinese art. Some of China's best-known painters regularly exhibit there and it is definitely worth a visit.

• Chinese Longquan Celadon Museum - 华夏龙泉青瓷博物馆 | Maintains a significant collection of Longquan celadon - a type of green-glazed ceramic (commonly called greenware) originating from the famous Longquan Kiln in Longquan.

• OCT Art and Design Gallery - 华美术馆 | Shenzhen is famous throughout China as a centre of design and the OCT Art and design gallery is where you go to see it exhibited. Set in a restored industrial building and the gallery holds regular exhibitions showcasing Shenzhen and China's industrial, domestic and fashion design.

• OCT–LOFT Creative Culture Park - 华侨城创意文化园 | All kinds of contemporary art in a repurposed industrial area.

• OCT Contemporary Art Terminal - OCT当代艺术中心 | Metro Station Qiao Cheng Dong, Exit A. Walk back 150 m to Enping Rd

• The Sea World Culture and Arts Center - 海上世界文化艺术中心, Design Society | Shenzhen's largest design museum, plus cultural mall. Located close to the shopping/entertainment complex of the same name (below).

• Shenzhen Art Museum - 深圳美术馆 - Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 09:00-17:00, Monday closed

• Zhizheng Art Museum - 至正艺术博物 | Claims to be the largest privately-owned museum in China. Visitors must show their ID card or passport before being allowed to enter.

Local area museums

• Nanshan Museum - 南山博物馆 | no entry after 17ː30, closed on Mondays (major public holidays excepted) Free

• Shenzhen Museum - 深圳博物馆; Shēn​zhèn​ Bó​wù​guǎn​ | In the East Wing of the Shenzhen City Hall Centre and the City Government's spectacular wing-roofed building. This is a must-see. The ground floor gallery has temporary exhibits from some of the most famous museums of China, which have ranged from jade burial suits to Shang Dynasty bronzes to contemporary Chinese painting. The upper floors have exhibits of the history of Shenzhen: the incredible number of ancient relics unearthed during construction; an exhibit of the Qing and Republican periods in the area, including a recreated street from traditional Shenzhen complete with shops and wax figures; and the founding and development of the SEZ, revealing details of some of the most significant events of recent Chinese history.

Science and technology

• Ebohr Timepiece Culture Museum - 依波钟表文化博物馆, Ebohr Horologe Culture Museum | Owned and operated by Ebohr, one of China's leading luxury watch manufacturers. Solo visitors and small groups (with less than 10 people) are required to make an appointment before visiting (this can be done either by phone or on WeChat). Visitation time is limited to 60-90 minutes and visitors are expected to follow the directions of their tour guide at all times.

• Shenzhen Paleontological Museum - 深圳古生物博物馆 | The museum is in the middle of the Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens (see listing below). To get to the gardens, take bus no. 202, 220, m182 or m526 and get off at the Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens bus terminal (仙湖植物园总站). You can catch bus no. 202 from outside Exit B of Yijing Station on Metro Line 5. You will find the museum on the north side of the lake

• Shenzhen Science Museum - 深圳科学馆

Religious structures

• Hong Fa Buddhist Temple - 弘法寺; Hóng​ Fǎ Sì​ | Not particularly old but it is always packed with pilgrims from all over China and beyond. The temple is spectacularly sited half-way up Wutong Mountain in the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden - Southeast Gate (仙湖植物园站), Shenzhen's largest and most beautiful park.
• Tianhou Temple - 赤湾天后宫 Chìwān Tiānhòu Gōng | This is one of China's biggest and most splendid temples to Tianhou and the Goddess of Heaven who guards over sailors and fishermen. It was established in the early fifteenth century by the famous eunuch admiral Zheng He who, during one of his voyages of discovery, was saved from shipwreck here during a typhoon by the intercession of Tianhou, this despite the fact that Zheng He was a Muslim. It has been restored many times during its lifetime, most recently during the 1980s after the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. At one time it was the biggest temple to Tianhou in existence. It is built in the style of the Ming Dynasty (14th to 17th centuries) and is a magnificent example of this style.

Historical sites

People, even long time Shenzhen residents, will confidently tell you that "Shenzhen has no history". However there is a surprising number of sites, some of great national significance, dating back to the twelfth century. Shenzhen, it seems, was critically involved in a number of historical events, especially the collapse and final stand of the Southern Song Dynasty (13th century) and the last stand of the Ming Dynasty (17th century) and the Opium War (19th century).

• Tomb of the Young Song Emperor Zhaobing - 宋少帝陵; Sòng​ Shǎo​ Dì​ Líng​ | Closed for cleanup in late 2023, apparently due to typhoon damage and fallen trees. It's not clear when it will reopen. This is putatively the tomb of the last Emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty (d. 1279). There is little doubt that he died in this general area after fleeing from the Mongols who had taken the dynastic capital Hangzhou. Modern knowledge of the tomb dates back to the latter years of the 19th century when the Zhao (Cantonese Chiu) Clan of Hong Kong (Zhao was the Song Imperial surname) researched the tomb and declared it to be in Chiwan near the great Tianhou Temple. Certainly there are folk tales of the Emperor's demise current in the Chiwan area and very large numbers of people claiming Imperial descent in the neighborhood. But the claims remain debatable. The tomb was restored in the early 20th century and subsequently fell into disrepair. It was rediscovered by a military cook during the Cultural Revolution but left alone. The Shenzhen City Government further restored it in the 1980s. It is in the form of a normal Chinese upper class tomb and the focus of much popular devotion.

• Xin'an (Nantou) Ancient City - 新安(南头)古城; Xīn​'ān​ (Nán​tóu​) Gǔ​chéng​ | This is the original county town for the county which used to encompass Hong Kong and Shenzhen. There has been a town on this site since the 4th century. Much of the old town has been demolished and replaced by residential buildings in the "urban village" style, but Xin'an has still maintained the flavour of a Cantonese town throughout the ages with vibrant street life along narrow streets. The Ming Dynasty wall and gate remain magnificently preserved as do the Guan Yu Temple outside the gates and the naval and civil headquarters, a silver shop, an opium den, and a Qing dynasty government building. If you can find it, visit the 18th century "Flower Street" or street of brothels, a narrow alley with an 18th-century official stele denouncing the evils of prostitution. Just outside the town (to the southwest, near the temple) is an archeological museum. The various excellently maintained buildings have information about the area's history, but almost all of it is in Chinese, though the museum has a booklet with information in English if you ask.

• Dapeng Ancient Fort - 大鹏所城; Dà​péng​ Suǒ​chéng​ | Dapeng Fort is yet another amazingly excellently maintained Ming Dynasty Fort. Founded in 1394, it shared with various other forts the duties of guarding the entrances to the Pearl River and was prominent in the defense of the river during the Opium War. It is extremely well preserved and undergoing restoration as a museum. The old buildings in the adjacent village have been turned into shops selling souvenirs, food, and clothes, and nearby is a popular beach and a huge Buddhist temple (东山寺; Dōngshān Sì).

• Longgang Museum of Hakka Culture - Crane Lake Fortified Hakka Village, 龙岗街道客家民俗博物馆, 鹤湖新居 | Half of Shenzhen City was originally of Hakka ethnicity. This came about after the 17th-century Kangxi Emperor depopulated the coastline to a depth of 30 kilometers as part of his campaign against Ming loyalists in Taiwan, Province of China. When the coast was repopulated and the Hakka (descendants of 13th-century immigrants from north China) were quickest to come. Relations between the Hakka and the Cantonese were often strained. During the 19th century, half a million people lost their lives in civil strife between the Hakka and the Cantonese. Accordingly, most Hakka settlements of any size were heavily fortified. The most common form of fortification in southern China is the "wei" (围 wéi) and one of the biggest of them anywhere is the Crane Lake Wei in Longgang. It doubles as a museum of Hakka culture.

• Dawanshiju Hakka Fortified Village - 大万世居 Dàwànshìjū | Similarly a excellently maintained and enormous Hakka wei. It is of a similar scale to the Crane Lake wei.

• Gankeng Hakka Small Town - 甘坑客家小镇 Gānkēng Kèjiā xiǎo zhèn | Another Hakka town with lots of traditional buildings: walk down the old narrow alleys, see the museums of household tools and artifacts, go inside the huge round house on the hill with views overlooking the town, and sample Hakka cuisine from various shops and restaurants.

• Chiwan Left Fort - 赤湾左炮台 | Chiwan was one of the prime defensive spots on the Pearl River. The Chiwan Fort was divided into two parts and the Left Fort and the Right Fort. Originally they had twelve gun positions but now only the Left Fort is in any reasonable degree of repair. Perched on Ying Zui Mountain, at over 160 m (500 feet) above the Pearl River and they commanded a full field of fire. Their failure to make any impression on British ships as they entered the Pearl was one of the first great disasters of the Opium War. There is also a statue of Lin Zexu and the Viceroy of the Two Guangs, whose decision to try to destroy the opium trade was one of the causative factors leading to the Opium War.

Other

• Shenzhen Library - 深圳图书馆 | Shenzhen Library and Concert Hall together make up another of the architectural masterpieces of the city. Architect Arata Isozaki designed the buildings with a back of almost featureless black granite and a front of brilliant folded glass. It is a must see for architecture freaks. The library has four million books.

• Portofino - 波托菲诺; Bō​tuō​fēi​nuò​ | Shenzhen housing developments are often built around beautiful tropical gardens with luxurious club house amenities and one of the most famous of these is Portofino. It is built around a surprisingly attractive imitation of an Italian Piazzetta along a lake which has cafes, restaurants without outdoor seating. Shenzhen's best Cantonese restaurant chain, Laurel, justly famed for the quality of its dim sum, has a branch with outdoor seating here. Be sure to be early. Sunday morning dim sum queues are long.

• Shekou Sea World - 蛇口海上世界, Shé​kǒu​ Hǎi​shàng Shì​jiè​ | A shopping/entertainment complex which has nothing to do with the U.S. marine animal park. In 1984 Shekou was booming and there was a serious shortage of accommodation. To deal with this and the cruise ship "Ming Hua" (commissioned in 1962 in France) was moored alongside the dock and used as a floating hotel. Only nine years before it had been the focus of a political typhoon during the movement which saw Deng Xiaoping sent for the second time into political limbo. No wonder that he was happy to write an inscription in his own handwriting, "Sea World", a facsimile of which now presides in neon over the ship. The land has now been reclaimed for half a mile beyond the ship which now sits in a shallow pool. But the attractive square in front of the ship is surrounded by restaurants and Coffee shops designed to evoke foreign lands like Europe, and successfully so, with the result that it's very popular among Shenzhen's expats. A restaurant in the ship named The Ex Ta Sea has swimmingpool tables and table football. You can also rent an electronic animal ride or a triple seated bike. In front of the ship there is a little dome, and there are shops all around the edge. You can buy toys, magic tricks, and various goods. Behind the ship and there is a golf course. This is a very happening place where a lot of celebrations are held. Various international restaurants like McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant), KFC, Papa Johns, sushi, Dunkin Doughnuts, Mexican, Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.). In the center of Sea World is a smooth tiled center where people ride their bikes, skateboards and scooters.

• Ping An Finance Centre - 平安国际金融中心, Píng'ān Guójì Jīnróng Zhōngxīn | At 600 meters, this is the fourth-tallest building in the world. Visitors can go up to the 550-meter-high observation deck on the 116th floor.

Best things to do in Shenzhen

Amusement parks

Shenzhen has many theme parks, which are popular with Chinese tourists, many of whom go to Shenzhen mainly for these. Reactions of Western visitors vary widely, from enjoying them immensely to finding them amazingly tacky. Most of these are operated by Overseas Chinese Town (OCT, 华侨城, Huáqiáochéng), and you can get discounts to the parks using the Smart OCT (花橙旅游).

• Window of The World - 世界之窗 | Travel around the world in one day. This 480,000-m² park has a beautiful natural landscapes and wonderful lighting at night. Inside, you can climb the 1:3 scale Eiffel Tower, Egyptian Pyramid, Pisa Tower, Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon and other famous monuments. Every night there are spectacular dance shows based on themes of Chinese and world history. Hundreds of dancers perform on the enormous outdoor stage. The performance finishes with a procession and fireworks at 21:00.

• Splendid China & Chinese Folk Culture Village - 锦绣中华, 中国民俗文化村; Jǐnxiù Zhōnghuá, Zhōngguó Mín​sú​ Wén​huà Cūn​​ | It combines two different sections. The first part is a miniature park of China. You can find the famous Forbidden City, Terracotta Soldiers, Tibet Potala Palace, Huangshan Mountains, Yunnan's Stone Forest, and of course the Great Wall of China. This miniature park covers 300,000 m², fully forested with beautiful greenery and flowers. The second part consists of dozens of houses, temples, yurts, and so on, each representing one of the 56 ethnic groups in China, such as Miao, Yi, Bai, Mongol and Uyghur. You can find here real people, culture, fashion, customs, religion, language and food. As with all the Shenzhen theme parks, plenty of people go just for the fixed exhibits but main attractions are the shows. Uyghur women twirl to Turkish music, Miaos dance, a miniskirted Ming Dynasty troupe performs electronic versions of Ming music and dance—not to mention the acrobats. There is even a Tibetan rock band. A Mongol horse battle held daily, just follow the smell of horse manure. Altogether the park is huge; between the shows and the exhibits it can easily be an all-day activity.

• Happy Valley Theme Park - 欢乐谷 huānlè gǔ | A classic fun park. It is a lot bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland and many would say a lot better. Divided into theme areas it has the usual fun rides. Try the flume ride but be prepared to get wet. The Playa Maya is an excellent water park built around a Maya architectural theme. There are shows all day and well into the night.

Shenzhen OCT2 - OCT East

• OCT East - 东部华侨城 | An amusement park built by the same company that brought you Window of the World. Located in the valleys and hills behind the Dameisha beach neighborhood, it features thrill rides, shows, and a replica of a European town. Be prepared to climb a lot of stairs or escalators to reach all the different rides or attractions. There are a few themed hotels under construction. There is a good golf club on the hill top called Wind Valley Golf. In June 2010, 6 people died when an electrical failure threw them off a ride, and several others were also injured. The park has been plagued with other small electrical blackouts which have resulted in people trapped in cable cars etc.

• Safari Park Shenzhen - 深圳野生动物园; Shēn​zhèn​ Yě​shēng​ Dòng​wù​yuán​ | Billed as a safari park where the animals stare at the humans. It is dirty and disorganised, but children may like it.

Theatres and concert halls

• Poly Theatre - 保利剧院 | This is a more or less middle-brow theatre specialising in musical theatre and often hosting Russian Army theatre troupes. The futuristic silver egg-shaped building alone makes it worth a visit.

• Grand Theatre

• Shadu Song and Dance Hall | See Shenzhen Library above. The Concert Hall hosts international standard artists in a stunning glass-wrapped setting.

• Shenzhen Cantonese Opera Troupe

• Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra - 深圳交响乐团

Parks and mountains

Huge and spread-out city that it is, Shenzhen contains large areas of parks. Some are carefully arranged and tended; others are nature reserves with big, forested mountains. Some have Buddhist temples, pagodas, or wildlife. When the weather is nice and they're lovely for hiking, relaxing, or people-watching.

Given the huge population of Shenzhen, you can expect hiking trails to be crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. You can avoid the crowds to some extent by arriving early in the morning, but even then don't expect to have the trail to yourself.

Downtown

• Lianhua Mountain Park - Lotus Mountain Park; 莲花山公园; Liánhuāshāngōngyuán | This is Shenzhen's main and most urban oasis, just north of central Futian neighborhood. The gardens are extremely beautiful and meticulously cared for. But to really enjoy the park, you need to be there with Shenzhen's middle classes early in the morning or on Sundays when large family groups gather to have fun. At the top of the 100-meter hill, which you can reach with a 20-minute, not too challenging walk, is a large bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping striding out over the city. Large aerobics groups operate to loud music, people fly kites and play badminton, a man walks down the path inscribing Tang Dynasty poetry in ever evaporating water with an enormous brush. Further down the mountain, ballroom dancers do the tango, a group of belly dancers wiggle, and large men lay into each other with bamboo staves and swords. A famous and totally spontaneous group of singers of revolutionary opera sings by the lotus lake every Sunday morning, a must-see if you are even remotely in the vicinity. They are just past the laughter therapy group and the marriage market.

• Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens - 仙湖植物公园; Xiān​ Hú​ Zhí​wù​ Gōng​yuán​

This is Shenzhen's most beautiful park and surely one of the most beautiful in China. It sprawls over miles of foothills, valleys, rivers and lakes before climbing half way up Wutong Mountain. Main attraction is the Hong Fa Temple (see entry above) but there are beautiful and peaceful lakes surrounded by teahouses and pavilions which could inspire great poetry. Don't miss the azalea garden and the pertified forest and the paleontology museum or the medicinal plants garden.

• Shenzhen Garden and Flower Exposition Center - 园博园 | This park started life as the site of an international garden exhibition in 2004. It is an enormous garden with an area of 660,000 m². It ranges from gently undulating to quite steep and contains gardens in many different styles, not only Chinese but from all over the world. Make sure you visit the hot houses and climb the hill past the waterfall to the pagoda on top of the hill. Views back to Hong Kong are spectacular on a clear day. A further 242 steps will take you to the top of the pagoda.

• Mangrove Ecological Park - 福田红树林生态公园 | Hong Kong's Mai Po Marshes are one of the world's great birdwatching paradises as birds migrating from Siberia rest in the fishponds. The same birds also rest in the mangroves on Shenzhen Bay a scant two miles north of Mai Po. In the late 1990s when the Binhai Freeway was being built and there was public outrage at plans to route the road through the bird habitat of the mangroves, subsequently the road was built 200 metres north and China's smallest national park was founded. The bird watching is legendary, but if you are not into birds and the park provides coconut palm shaded walks and views to die for across Shenzhen Bay. The birds are seasonal, so there may be few or no birds at certain times of the year.

• Wutong Mountain National Park - 梧桐山 Wútóng Shān; Wutong Village, Luohu District; 罗湖区捂桐村 | At just over 900 meters, Wutong Mountain is the second tallest mountain in the Pearl River Delta after Hong Kong's Tai Monday Shan and it is a favorite challenge for hikers. This has been a recognised beauty spot since at least the Ming Dynasty when it was included in the Eight Great Views of Xin'an County and was celebrated in poetry. There are several routes to the top varying significantly in difficulty. The broad road will be a gentle climb. But if you intend to go to the top and back, be prepared for a 6-8 hour walk, including a lot of steep steps. There are two peaks, Lesser Wutong where the Shenzhen TV Company has its impressive transmission tower, and Greater Wutong which is reached via the notoriously difficult Hao Han Slope. On a clear day and the views from the summit over Mirs Bay and the mountains of Hong Kong's New Territories are beautiful. Night views over the city set against the sweep of Shenzhen Bay are also impressive. Wear a hat and sunscreen and bring Snacks and water—at least two liters per person, though if you don't bring enough you can buy water and food on the trail.

• Bijia Mountain Park - 笔架山公园 Bǐjiàshān Gōngyuán | Less popular but quite a bit nicer than nearby Lianhua Mountain Park. It's full of trees, birds, lots of kinds of flowers, quiet rivers and ponds, and people strolling and doing tai chi. The park strikes a balance: attractively manicured without feeling too artificial. The "mountain" (really just a hill) has two peaks, 178m Bi Guan Peak (笔冠峰) and 164m Bi June Peak (笔俊峰).

Further out

• Fenghuang Mountain - 凤凰山, Fènghuáng Shān | Literally "Phoenix Mountain", this forested mountain in northwestern Shenzhen is covered with a network of well-maintained hiking trails paved with steps. The main point of interest is Fengyan Temple (凤岩古庙, Fèngyán Gǔmiào), a Buddhist temple partway up the mountain, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. At the trailhead (凤凰山脚) there are various shops selling food and fruit drinks, including bottled water, which you should definitely buy for the hike if you didn't bring any. Then plan to hike 30–40 minutes (all uphill) to get to the temple complex. The complex has lots of interesting spots scattered around, including fortune tellers, lots of shrines, and a big swimmingpool full of turtles and a few lazy fish, surrounded by people pestering them by throwing coins. There are lots of shops selling food, incense, jewelry, and other traditional items for the many pilgrims who make their way up to pray and leave offerings. For more serious hikers and the trails continue higher up on the mountain past the temple. A partial map of the trails can be found at the temple complex, though it's only in Chinese. The trail up to the temple is crowded, especially on weekends, but the trails higher up on the mountain aren't so bad.
  
  Both the temple and the rest of the mountain have views of the surrounding area. Don't miss the two-story lookout tower (望海楼, Wang Hai Lou) in the temple complex. The views make for an incredible contrast between the traditional temple in the middle of the woods and the unending high-rises down below. From the right spot you can make out ships floating in the Pearl River.
  
  The temple complex also has a Vegetarian buffet restaurant, Fenghuang Mountain Vegetarian Restaurant GPS 22.67713,113.84880. This is not the little place with the signs saying "Vegetarian Restaurant" in English (though the food there isn't bad either)—the buffet is located at the other end of the complex; look for signs that say "素菜馆 Sunday Cai Guan". The buffet costs ¥28 for breakfast, ¥78 for lunch—pay before you enter, at the Ticket Counter outside. If you want to skip the hike and the restaurant (and therefore the temple complex) are also accessible by road.

• Nanshan Park - 南山公园, Nánshān Gōngyuán | A forested hill with hiking trails. The peak (大南山 Dà Nánshān) is 336 meters high and the trails are mostly stairs, so this is a reasonably challenging hike. Plan about 2–3 hours round trip if you're a strong hiker, or longer if you want to explore more of the trails. The park is quiet, without many hikers, and on a clear day the peak has lovely views of the city and the water, and Hong Kong's New Territories.

• Shiyan Lake Hot Spring Resort - 石岩湖温泉度假村; Shí​yán​hú Wēn​quán​ Dù​jià​cūn​​ | This has been a popular attraction since the 16th century when it was named as one of the "Eight Great Views of Xin'an County" (the county of which Hong Kong and Shenzhen were part). It's on a man-made reservoir at the back of Yangtai Mountain, and is not easy to get to but it is worth the trouble. Water springs from the ground at over 60 °C, but is cooled to about 40 °C before being fed into pools. There are public and private, indoor and outdoor pools.

• Yangtai Mountain Forest Park - 羊台山森林公园 Yángtái Shān Sēnlín Gōngyuán | This is a forest park administered by the water and forestry administrations of Guangdong Province. The mountain, 500 metres high, lies around an attractive reservoir. It is heavily wooded with native and exotic vegetation and abounds with wildlife. As elsewhere in Shenzhen and the hiking paths are well paved with steps. The climb to the top is moderately difficult and very rewarding.

• Lixin Lake - 立新湖 Lìxīn Hú | An attractive reservoir in northeastern Shenzhen surrounded by parks with trees and well-manicured walkways. Adjacent to the lake is Wangniuting Park (望牛亭公园 Wángniútíng Gōngyuán), with hiking trails on a small hill. The area is very green and good for a lakeside walk—it's not worth making the trip all the way from the downtown just for this, but stop by if you're in the area.

• Waterlands Resort - 海上田园 Hǎishàngtiányuán | A much-hyped 1.6 square kilometer park by the water, way on the outskirts of the city, full of trees, streams, ponds, and walking paths. The activities scattered around are fun, including obstacle courses, boats, strawberry picking, and a lookout tower. If you like hills this is not the park for you, but it allows for a nice few hours walking around and exploring whatever attractions you stumble across. For travelers who are a bit adventurous and the highlight is surely the obstacle courses, some of which go over water and will get your heart racing.

Golf

Shenzhen is one of China's and indeed one of the world's great golfing Meccas. It boasts some of the earliest golf courses in China and, in Mission Hills and the world's largest golf course which is the scene of leading international tournaments.

• Mission Hills Golf Course - 观澜高尔夫 | The world's biggest golf course with 216 holes. Each course is designed by a different world champion golfer. The Golf World Cup has granted a twelve-year franchise to Mission Hills

• Shenzhen Golf Club - 深圳高尔夫俱乐部 | This is one of China's two oldest golf courses. When it was established in 1985 it was way out in the nation but now it is surrounded by skyscrapers, providing a pleasant oasis in the heart of Futian. This is where the local residents prefer to play.

• Shahe (Sand River) Golf Club - 沙河高尔夫会 | Another favorite with the local residents. It has 27 holes plus a nine hole night course under lights. Gary Player designed the course.

• Xili Golf Club | This is a private club owned and managed by the Kuok family of Shangri-La fame. You will need an invitation to play here. It is worth getting it.

• Longgang Public Golf Course - 龙岗高尔夫 | This course was the brainchild of a former official of the Shenzhen Government who wanted to bring golf to the masses. It is as an eighteen-hole 72 par course, situated on rolling hills in the Longgang District. The founders of the course wanted to keep green fees at 20-30% of commercial golf courses.

• OCT East Golf Club - 东部华乔城高尔夫 | Shenzhen's newest and poshest golf course. It has two 18-hole courses, each with its own luxury clubhouse. Set in spectacular mountains overlooking Dameisha and Mirs Bay.

• Century Seaview Golf Club - 世纪海景高尔夫求会 | An 18-hole PGA golf course set in beautiful mountain and sea surroundings near Nan'ao Town, Dapeng Peninsula.

• Noble Merchants Golf Club

Beaches

Shenzhen has some of China's best beaches, many of them untouched stretches of National Park. In 2006, Chinese Geographic Magazine named the Dapeng Peninsula, where most of Shenzhen's beaches are situated, as one of China's top ten most scenic coastlines.

• Dameisha Beach - 大梅沙
• Xiaomeisha Beach - 小梅沙
• Jin Sha Wan Beach - 金沙湾 | From Shenzhen take one of several buses (e.g. 364, E11, or H92) to Dapeng Station (大鵬站) in Wangmu (王母虛) Village in Dapeng. Then you can take a quick shuttle bus south to JinSha Beach. Entry is ¥20. On weekends and holidays the beach can be quite crowded. The sand is rather coarse and not particularly clean, but it can be fun to go here and people watch. Also it is interesting that you can look out and see East Ping Chau (東平洲) island just two miles off the coast, which is part of Hong Kong's New Territories.
• Judiaosha Beach - 桔钓沙 Júdiàoshā
• Shuitousha Beach - 水头沙 Shuǐtóushā
• Xichong Beach - 西冲海滩 | Beautiful Xichong beach is far from the downtown core, well past Dameisha. Less developed, this beach is much more peaceful and clean than other beaches in Shenzhen. Visit Sunday Sailing for watersports or local fine dining.

Skating, skiing, snow tubing

• Alps Ice and Snow World - 阿尔卑斯冰雪世界 | The skating rink has irregular shape. The ski slope is quite short and not very steep, but there is a lift to take you up. Snowboarding/skiing equipment and clothing can be rented (expect to leave a deposit). The sledding slope is great for children. It is quite cold inside even in hot weather.

Study in Shenzhen

Chinese classes are available, mainly serving Shenzhen's expat community. Shenzhen is a good place to training your listening ability, as the main language of the city is Mandarin but you'll encounter a variety of standard and nonstandard accents from all over China. On the other hand, as a learner you'll have to be careful not to absorb the nonstandard pronunciations into your own speech, especially the widespread merging of c/ch, z/zh, and s/sh.

• Shenzhen University - 深圳大学 | On the coastline of Shenzhen Bay. The total area of the campus is 1.44 km². It has its own lake named Wenshan Lake (文山湖), spreads across rolling hills covered with trees, an abundance of green space and sculptures. It's feasible for foreigners to enroll in classes to learn Chinese.

• Shenzhen Polytechnic - 深圳职业技术学院 Shēnzhèn Zhíyè Jìshù Xuéyuàn | It has four campuses (East, West, North and OCT). It has 21,000 full-time and 6,000 part-time students. It was established in 1993.

• South University of Science and Technology of China - 南方科技大学 SUSTech | The pilot field for cultivating innovative talents and higher education reform.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is internationally best known as the epicentre of electronics. The city and surrounding urbanization are home to countless circuit board manufacturers, assembly houses, retailers, and supporting businesses. Many of them will happily give you a tour on request! You can't say you have visited Shenzhen without having strolled through its electronics markets, and filled your backpack with LED strips!

Wechat Pay and Alipay are the primer way of electronic payment at almost any store, besides this cash is king. You can withdraw cash from most ATMs with Visa and other cards, but need a Chinese bank account to use Wechat or Alipay. As for credit cards, as of 2022 they are seldom used by the Chinese and are quickly fading into obscurity. Major credit cards i.e. Visa, Masters, HSBC are sometimes accepted throughout Shenzhen but don't count on it. Always ask first if they accept cards. JCB and American Express have limited coverage. Always contact your bank before travel to ensure that your card will work in China and that you can withdraw cash from ATMs.

At places in Luo Hu, cash or alipay/wechat are highly recommended. Some places charge an extra 10% for credit card purchases. The shop assistants will bring you to shops that have credit card processing machines. At shopping centers, remember to check with the cashiers to see if they accept credit cards before making purchases. There are few shopping centers that accept credit card with passport verification, though you may lose your discount on the purchase.

Be careful when getting change from large notes as people may try to give you Hong Kong dollars instead of Yuan as the coins can look the same. The Hong Kong dollar is worth less than Yuan.

For currency information, see the China#Buy|China page.

Shopping malls

• Luohu Commercial City - Cantonese: Lo Wu | Offers a very different experience to shopping in Hong Kong and is therefore worth a visit if only spending a short time in China. Spread over several levels are many small stores, each selling similar products: watches, jewellery, handbags, clothes and DVDs. These products are rarely authentic but they are often very well made and detailed fakes. There are many stallholders pressuring shoppers to part with their money but the atmosphere is one of enjoyable bargaining. This is the place to go for Western sizes in clothing and shoes. This is also the place to go to have massages and nails done dirt affordable as well. But remember, this is not really Shenzhen, it is more like a Chinese interpretation of Tijuana. It is rough, dirty and infested with agents. Take the plunge and go another hundred meters into the city and you will find that your Luohu experience is not representative of the rest of the city.

• Dongmen Pedestrian Street - 东门步行街; Dōng​mén​ Bù​xíng​ Jiē​ | The place to go for clothes and small-ticket items. This place is better than Luohu Commercial City in terms of price and range of items. Other than several department stores, most are smaller stalls. The price is cheap, even at local standards. You can easily spend a day there.

• MixC Shopping Mall | The largest (and easily the most expensive) shopping mall in Shenzhen. Highlights include the following: Olympic size indoor Ice Skating Rink, Golden Harvest Cinema movie theater, Ole (high end supermarket with many imported items), Spaghetti House and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.). Good option

• Coco Park | Shopping mega complex. Sports, clothing, fashion, Coffee, some Halal restaurants, including "Norway.Oslo" which has some outdoor seating. When you get bored you can go outside and hit up McCawley's or the Mexican restaurant for dinner and then visit any of a number of cafes just across the street from the mall. Coco Park is close to the Shenzhen Convention Exhibition Center.

• Central Walk - Another Shopping complex in Shenzhen. Base tenant is Carrefour, but also has usual shops, restaurants and a cinema. Three floors of shops arranged in a circle. Mostly women's clothes. and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) and Italian Best Coffee (Illy Coffee) are located here. Subway (Sandwiches) also has opened here.

• Fashion Time - 丰盛町 Fēngshèngdīng | A long underground pedestrian alley, lined with more than 500 restaurants and retail outlets, specializing in fashion.

• King Glory Plaza - A mall, along the lines of MixC. It is fairly high priced. It includes a movie theater as well as the "IN" bar/nightclub (that's the name of it) and "Yellow" café. Eight floors connected by criss-crossed escalators give you enough stores to stay occupied for a few hours. Lots of restaurants in the sub-ground levels. Connected by a walkway to Rainbow Mall. There's a Pacific Coffee on the ground floor.

• Shun Hing Plaza - Diwang Building | On Shennan Road, across from the MixC. Go to the Da Juyuan (大剧院) metro station. You won't miss it, because Diwang Dasha is among the tallest buildings in Shenzhen. The shopping center is actually very small, with just a few stores on three small levels, but it's in a nice area of town with lots of other attractions, so you might dart in to see what's to be found. and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) on the ground floor, McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) in the basement level.

• Uniwalk Shopping Mall - 壹方城 Yìfāngchéng | A very elegant, very upscale shopping center in Bao'an. Lots of foreign restaurants and fancy shops, and the bookstore next to the food court on the third floor has a selection of paperback novels in English. On the lowest level (B1) are a few shops with beautiful traditional Chinese products like statues, porcelain, and inkstones. Even if shopping here is beyond your budget, it's an interesting place for people-watching—see how the wealthy and fashionable live in suburban Shenzhen.

• Rainbow - 天虹 Tiānhóng | A chain of large, moderately high-end shopping centers. They have branches in many cities in China, but a lot more in Shenzhen than anywhere else, and indeed their headquarters is in Nanshan District.

• City Mall - 中信城市广场 | Six-story upscale shopping mall. Includes a bunch of restaurants, and nearby Songling Road (松岭路) also has a bunch of more authentic, distinctive, and reasonably priced cuisine.

Electronics

As the home of a dazzling array of electronics manufacturers and related businesses, Shenzhen naturally has huge stores selling a wide variety of electronics, both parts and consumer products.

Huaqiangbei (华强北, Huáqiángběi) shopping area, centered around the street of the same name (华强北路, Huáqiángběi Lù), is the place for anything electronic. This is the absolute epicentre of the world's electronics industry. Huaqiangbei Street is pedestrian-only for a few blocks between Shennanzhong Street (深南中路, Shēnnánzhōng Lù) and Hongli Street (红荔路, Hónglì Lù). There are several large electronics markets and many smaller stores situated on both sides of the pedestrian street and particularly in the small streets and lanes running parallel. One famously devotes itself to stealth and security. If haggling isn't your thing, you can also get good prices on consumer electronics at Suning. Gome and Sundan stores at the northern end of the street. The pedestrian street is bustling, and there are good small restaurants on the streets nearby. and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this Coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) is here too. Most of the stores will close at around 5 or 6PM.

The shopping area is easy to reach by subway, with three stations along the pedestrian street: Huaqiang North Station (华强北站), Huaqiang Road Station (华强路站), and Huaxin Station (华新站).

The big electronics markets each consist of several floors full of small stalls specializing in different kinds of electronics or accessories. You can buy anything electronic here, though keep in mind that the markets are aimed at Chinese buyers, which means that, for instance, accessories for brands that aren't popular in China may be hard to find. A few products are labeled bilingually, though most are only in Chinese. Most vendors in the big markets should be able to speak enough English to make a sale, or at least have a calculator to type prices. Below are some of Huaqiangbei's well-known electronics markets, and there are plenty more in the area.

• SEG Plaza - 赛格广场, Sàigé Guǎngchǎng | This most famous electronics market has ten floors of small stalls selling electronics and accessories. The first two floors are wholesale components and the rest is mainly dedicated to consumer goods. Most clients are expected to buy in bulk when buying small things like wires or cases, but they will sell individual pieces for reasonable prices. It has kind of a maze-like layout, so it's good for wandering around and stumbling upon all kids of interesting gizmos and novelty accessories for sale. You won't get too lost, though—you're never too far from an escalator. Products are partly organized by floor, but the signs explaining the system are only in Chinese.

• Huaqiang Electronics World - HQ-Mart, 华强电子世界, Huáqiáng Diànzǐ Shìjiè | Another huge electronics market. It's split into multiple buildings, some of which are more interesting than others. The northernmost one (深圳二店) is oriented towards consumers, with six floors of various electronics and accessories. Again and the products are organized by floor, but the signs explaining the system are all in Chinese. Head to the fifth and sixth floors for gaudy LED strips, lightbulbs, flashing displays, and lights of all kinds.

• Mingtong Electronics Market - 明通数码城, Míngtōng Shùmǎ Chéng | Four floors. Watch parts, electronic toys, gadgets, and mobile phone parts, as well as a lot of cosmetics on the third floor and one section of the first floor.

• Yuanwang Digital Mall - 远望数码商城, Yuǎnwàng Shùmǎ Shāngchéng | Three floors, mostly consisting of mobile phones and accessories. Behind it is an alley of reasonably priced restaurants.

Specialized stores

• Jiahua Foreign Trade Clothing Market - Series of stalls selling lots of affordable clothing. It's huge as Luohu Commercial City, but it's worth a look.

• Shenzhen Book City - 深圳书城 | This is a huge bookstore with a great selection of books, music, movies, and multimedia products. It bills itself as the biggest bookshop in the world. There is a small shop which specialises in English books, Eon Books. The DVD and CD section sells more or less legal versions of excellent movies at prices slightly higher than you will pay to street vendors. This often reflects better quality (but not always). Make sure you go on Sunday mornings when story telling competitions are held for children between the ages of 4 and 8. You may not be able to understand a word but they are cute.

• Tea World Terminal Market | A whole warehouse with many stores selling all things related to tea. Wonderful selection of everything from Pu'er-teas to tea-ware. They seem not to be focused on selling to tourists, which is very nice, but they still take time with you if you want to go through the tea ceremonies.

• B&Q 百安居 | This English chain offers DIY supplies and goods for the home and garden.

• Decathlon - 迪卡侬 Díkǎnóng | The French sports supplies retailer Decathlon has got well over 200 stores in the nation in all major cities. You will find several stores in Shenzhen.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Shenzhen

Shenzhen - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Shenzhen, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shenzhen. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Shenzhen and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Shenzhen. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Shenzhen. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inShenzhen: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Shenzhen.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Shenzhen: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Shenzhen, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Shenzhen.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Shenzhen, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Shenzhen, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Shenzhen and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Shenzhen, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Shenzhen, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Shenzhen without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shenzhen is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Shenzhen.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Shenzhen is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Shenzhen, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Shenzhen Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Shenzhen

eHalal Group Shenzhen is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Shenzhen. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Shenzhen.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Shenzhen ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Shenzhen. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Shenzhen, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Shenzhen are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Shenzhen

At Chinese New Year (usually January/February), prices usually double or substantially increase. Unlike other cities, however and the explosive development of hotels in Shenzhen means rooms, while more expensive, will generally still be available even at the busiest times.

• Asta Hotels & Resorts Shenzhen
• Bauhinia Hotel Shenzhen
• Best Western Shenzhen Felicity Hotel
• Caa Holy Sun Hotel Shenzhen
• Century Plaza Hotel Shenzhen
• City Inn Baoan Shenzhen
• City Inn Exhibition Centre Shenzhen
• City Inn Happy Valley Shenzhen
• City Inn Longgang Laojie Shenzhen
• City Inn Oct Loft Shenzhen
• City Inn South Shangbu Road Shenzhen
• City Inn Xinqiao Shenzhen
• City Inn Zhuzillin Shenzhen
• Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Landmark Shenzhen
• Difu Hotel Shenzhen
• Four Points By Sheraton Shenzhen
• Fraser Place Shekou Shenzhen
• Futian Shangri-La Shenzhen
• FX Hotel Shenzhen Taining
• Gorgeous Fad Hotel Shenzhen
• Grand Hyatt Shenzhen
• Grand Mercure Shenzhen Oriental Ginza - Hotel
• Grand Skylight Garden Hotel, Shenzhen
• Grand Skylight Hotel Shenzhen
• Grand Skylight International Hotel Guanlan
• Haitao Hotel Shenzhen
• Holiday Inn Donghua Shenzhen
• Holiday Inn Express Luohu Shenzhen
• Hong Bo Hotel Shenzhen
• Hong Feng Hotel Shenzhen
• Hotel Kapok Shenzhen
• Hotel Kopak Shenzhen Bay
• Huaan International Hotel Shenzhen
• Intercontinental Hotel Shenzhen
• JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen
• Kaili Hotel Shenzhen
• Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen
• King Home Hotel Shenzhen
• Kingkey Oriental Regent Hotel Shenzhen
• Luo Hu Hotel Shenzhen
• Lushan Hotel Shenzhen
• Marco Polo Hotel Shenzhen
• Metropark Hotel Shenzhen
• Mission Hills Golf Club & Resort Shenzhen
• New Times Hotel Shenzhen
• Novotel Bauhinia Hotel Shenzhen
• Novotel Shenzhen Watergate Hotel
• Oasis O City Hotel Shenzhen
• OCT East Cargo Hostel Shenzhen
• Orient Fashion Hotel Shenzhen
• Otique Aqua Hotel Shenzhen
• Parkview O City Hotel Shenzhen
• Pavilion Century Tower Hotel Shenzhen
• Pavilion Hotel Shenzhen
• Qu Apartel Hotel Shenzhen
• Ramada Plaza Shenzhen North Hotel
• Royal Suites & Towers Hotel Shenzhen
• Seaview O City Hotel Shenzhen
• Shanghai Hotel Shenzhen
• Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen
• Shanshui Trends Luohu Hotel Shenzhen
• Shenzhen Empire Hotel
• Shenzhenair International Hotel
• Sheraton Daimeisha Resort Shenzhen
• Sheraton Shenzhen Futian Hotel
• Somerset Garden City Residence Shenzhen
• Sunflower Hotel & Residence Shenzhen
• Sunshine Hotel Shenzhen
• The Bonanza Hotel & Spa Shenzhen
• The Interlaken Oct Hotel Shenzhen
• The Mahayana OCT Boutique Hotel Shenzhen
• The Panglin Hotel Shenzhen
• The Pavilion Hotel Longgang Shenzhen
• The Ritz Carlton Hotel Shenzhen
• The St. Regis Shenzhen Hotel
• The Venice Hotel Shenzhen
• The Westin Shenzhen Nanshan Hotel
• Vision Fashion Hotel Shenzhen
• Xinle Binhai Mingzhu Hotel Shenzhen
• Zense Hotel Boutique & Spa Shenzhen
• ZTL Hotel Shenzhen

Stay safe as a Muslim in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is relatively safe by GCC standards. Nevertheless, as always, a little common sense goes a long way.

The main problem is petty crime such as pickpocketing. Be careful in crowded shopping centres, subway trains, buses, stations and around the theme parks - keep your wallet in your front pocket.

Being scammed is not so common as in Beijing or Shanghai but be alert for people touting for business (massage, watches, shoes etc.) around the Luohu area, as they sell below-standard fakes at inflated prices. The 'agents' in Luohu bus station are not necessarily agents - there is no ticket office so they are simply there to direct you to your bus and don't require any payment - you should buy your ticket on the bus.

Tap water is safe to drink in the Meilin neighborhood and several nearby neighborhoods, but probably not in the area where you are staying. Use the free bottled water or distilled water provided by your hotel or buy some. It's easily available in all convenience stores and supermarkets. However, if you are buying water for ¥7 a bottle, you are getting majorly ripped off. Hepatitis is common in China and is most usually spread by using chopsticks to eat from a common dish. It is becoming increasingly common to use a separate set of chopsticks to serve from the bowl. Ask for "gōng kuài" if they aren't provided. Otherwise minor travellers' stomach upsets are the worst things which you have to fear health-wise.

Islam in Shenzhen

Shenzhen Mosque

Travel Next from Shenzhen

The other cities of the Pearl River Delta are easy to get to from Shenzhen. Dongguan, Hong Kong, and Huizhou are the closest.

• Guangzhou – the provincial capital that's in some ways the foil of Shenzhen. Like Shenzhen, it's a huge city of global importance, but it's not a boom town by any means; it's been a major international commerce hub for centuries. It's between one and two hours away by train or road.
• Hong Kong – "Asia's World City" and the former British colony with a unique mix of cultures whose prosperity and international connections made Shenzhen what it is today. It's just across the border, with a travel duration of perhaps 90 minutes centre-to-centre, depending on border-crossing time.
• Macau – the former Portuguese colony on the other side of the Delta, famous as a gambling destination but also boasting interesting architecture and history. It can be visited by ferry from Shekou and Fuyong (Shenzhen Airport).
• Dongguan – a major manufacturing center like Shenzhen, thirty minutes north by train or road.
• Huizhou – popular for its mountains and beaches, located forty minutes northeast by bus from the Luohu Station bus depot.
• Zhuhai – as Shenzhen is to Hong Kong, Zhuhai is to Macau: a border city growing like crazy due to favorable government policies and a location that's ideal for international trade. But Zhuhai is much smaller than Shenzhen and less densely populated. It can be visited by hydrofoil ferry from Shekou and Fuyong.

If you want to head to Hong Kong or Macau, remember that they are outside mainland China and therefore require all the same border crossing and passport formalities involved in going across an international border. Also remember going to Hong Kong or Macau counts as leaving China, which would use up a single entry visa for China.

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