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  4. Shenzhen Tourism: Is It Some Kind of Joke?

Shenzhen Tourism: Is It Some Kind of Joke?

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    Sadie Ortiz-Waelchi
    wrote last edited by
    #1

    Shenzhen Tourism: Is It Some Kind of Joke? 1

    Oh dear, I didn't expect people to have such a negative impression of Shenzhen!

    Recently, I've been working on a travel guide for Shenzhen, trying to keep myself occupied during my unemployment 😟. I was eager to show the notes I made to my friend, but she doused my enthusiasm with a cold shower! She said I must be bored and that there's nothing interesting about Shenzhen. According to her, no one would come here just to play.
    Of course, I know that in many people's eyes, Shenzhen is a fast-paced megacity focused on economics, lacking the numerous historic sites and cultural landmarks like those in Beijing or Xi'an. For foreigners, Shenzhen is indeed young, having grown from a small fishing village into a metropolis in just a few decades.
    However, I personally find Shenzhen's beaches attractive! With beautiful sunshine, sea views, and a relaxing weekend experience nearby, the beach is amazing!
    That's why I'd like to ask everyone:

    1. Would you consider traveling to Shenzhen?
    2. Are there any recommended places to visit in Shenzhen?
    3. Is it still necessary to continue to develop the guide, and please share your suggestions!

    Travel Tips & Reminders:

    Cultural Expectation Management:
    For travelers seeking thousands of years of ancient historical and cultural sites,
    Shenzhen may disappoint as these elements do not align well with its identity. Instead, treat this vibrant young city and witness China's modern urban dynamism, innovative atmosphere, and seaside leisure.

    Popular ≠ Absolute:
    When my friend mentioned that there's "nothing to see" here, it might refer to the lack of world-renowned attractions, such as the Forbidden City or the Terracotta Warriors. The real pleasure in Shenzhen lies in exploring its modern parks (for example, viewing panoramic cityscapes at Lotus Mountain Park or cycling in the Shekou Bay Park), theme parks with various styles (such as World Window and Happy Valley), as well as previously mentioned beaches (like Day Mei Sha and Xiao Mei Sha).

    Transport Considerations:
    Given Shenzhen's vast size, distances between attractions could be large. However, it's advisable to plan your itinerary in advance and take full advantage of Shenzhen's well-developed subway system or simply rely on taxi/ride-hailing services for convenience.

    #DiscoverShenzhen #TravelGuide #LocalRecommendations #LessPopularTourism #TravelToShenzhen #CityExploration #BeachWeekend #TravelTrends

    #WhatAreYourThoughtsOnTravelingToShenzhen?[PK]

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      Dana Sanford
      wrote last edited by
      #2

      Could everyone share their thoughts?

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        Christina Altenwerth
        wrote last edited by
        #3

        The Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory is truly beautiful on a clear day.

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          April Corwin
          wrote last edited by
          #4

          Honestly, if you don't have a special attachment, there's not much reason to visit. For natural scenery like the sea, it's easily replaceable – Zhuhai or Hainan Island are good alternatives. If you want to see modern cities, places like Beijing or Shanghai offer that, and you might even get a mix of history and modernity. Shopping offers no special advantages, and prices are high. So, what's the point of coming here for fun?

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            Iris Marquardt
            wrote last edited by
            #5

            Some people do have that special attachment. Once you're here, you're a Shenzhener.

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              Ms. Wanda Kilback
              wrote last edited by
              #6

              Shenzhen's mountains and coastline are definitely underrated. The Dapeng Peninsula's coastline is among the best in the country. It's just that when people think of Shenzhen, they mostly picture the skyscrapers in Futian and Nanshan, or the hardworking folks ('niu ma' – like 'workhorses') eating pig's trotter rice in the urban villages.

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                Stacey Kulas
                wrote last edited by
                #7

                That makes sense.

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                  Dallas Durgan
                  wrote last edited by
                  #8

                  I feel like Shenzhen doesn't offer anything particularly special. If you're into history and culture, you'd go to places like Xi'an or Luoyang. And for natural scenery, Shenzhen wouldn't even make the list. It's not really a place worth traveling a long way to visit just for tourism.

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                    Delia Jast
                    wrote last edited by
                    #9

                    I was born in Shenzhen and love it, but when it comes to tourism, I honestly don't think it offers much. My friends from other provinces who visit Guangdong usually go to Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhuhai, and the like.

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                      Morris Schneider
                      wrote last edited by
                      #10

                      Shenzhen is for workers! But visiting Shenzhen for tourism? That's pretty absurd. Many people would think of other places in China for travel, but not Shenzhen. After flipping through all the Shenzhen travel guides, I still can't recall anything particularly fun about the city. I considered visiting too, but gave up after reading the guides. Netizens jokingly call Shenzhen a 'tourism desert'! If you're curious, you can come to Shenzhen and watch how others work. Would that count as a unique tourist experience?

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                        Dr. Wade Boyer
                        wrote last edited by
                        #11

                        When my friend visited Shenzhen, I suggested a park. She was skeptical, asking, 'What's so great about parks?' But after visiting, she said, 'You Shenzhen folks are secretly enjoying such good things!' Later, we went to Dapeng Peninsula. Afterwards, she was so impressed she said, 'You Shenzhen people are so tight-lipped (about how good it is)!' Now she's like a 'Shenzhen tourism ambassador' on her social media. Also, I studied in Dalian and have visited Sanya, Qingdao, Lianyungang, and many other coastal cities. Shenzhen's sea is, in my opinion, the most beautiful, not just one of the best. Traveling is like the 'little pony crossing the river' fable – if you only listen to others, you'll just hear about endless, crowded, overhyped internet-famous spots. Here's a random sea view photo. And then, my advice: please don't come. Shenzhen's attractions are mostly free, and visitors mainly just add to our traffic congestion.

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                          Justin Zieme
                          wrote last edited by
                          #12

                          It's a bit contradictory. You say Shenzhen isn't good, but I've been to many places less beautiful than Shenzhen; the coastlines of Dalian and Qingdao are just so-so in comparison. But then, if you talk about coming to Shenzhen for tourism, I still feel there isn't much to actually 'tour'.

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                            Glenn Ryan PhD
                            wrote last edited by
                            #13

                            That seems about right. If I were planning a trip, I'd probably only consider places with natural landscapes. I'm not really that interested in urban destinations.

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                              Ethel Morissette
                              wrote last edited by
                              #14

                              Actually, any city you haven't been to is worth checking out. It doesn't necessarily have to be 'super fun' – everyone's definition of fun is different. But you can visit a new city just to experience it, right? Isn't that what life is about?

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                                Reginald Ziemann
                                wrote last edited by
                                #15

                                Makes sense.

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                                  Lucia Feest
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #16

                                  I've been wondering the same thing! Where can you go in Shenzhen during the three-day Qingming holiday?

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                                    Candace McDermott
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Spend three days looking at the sea.

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                                      Kristopher Schultz PhD
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #18

                                      The migratory birds at Shenzhen Bay.

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                                        Candace McDermott
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #19

                                        You took such an amazing photo!!

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                                          Lucia Feest
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Is Shenzhen fun? If it is, I'm heading downstairs (to check it out/join in).

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