Shenzhen: The Good, The Bad & The WTF?!

[Lena Oberbrunner]

Hey, fellow travelers, planning to visit Shenzhen? Here's my personal take on the city, hoping to help your understanding!

Firstly, let's tackle some less favorable aspects (downsides):

• Accommodation may be pricey: Realistically speaking, the value for money isn’t high here. With roughly the same budget, you could stay much more comfortably back home.
• The pace of life is hectic:
  • People scurry on the streets, with the metro packed with office workers (known as “community-bound cattle” here, or simply office workers) rushing to work.
  • Whether day or night, messages from employers might pour in anytime, and demands from clients may come in even during weekends. (However, it seems that the Gen Z are starting to rearrange the workplace culture, leading to improvements in this insane overtime scenario!)
  • Given 17 million residents and just over 4 million businesses and companies, about every two or three out of ten people are likely entrepreneurs in Shenzhen. Indeed, a thriving entrepreneurial circle but a fierce competitive landscape.
• It's tough for youngsters to save money: It’s no easy feat for young strivers to accumulate wealth here.
• Few distinctive souvenirs: Bringing back local specialties for reunions at home? Unfortunately, there aren’t many unique items from Shenzhen to boast among relatives and friends.
• Limited top-tier educational resources: Top schools are sparse, and competition for middle school admission is severe, putting immense pressure on faculty members.
• Medical conditions improved: Medical services have markedly improved compared to past years; community nurses often remind elderly and infant patients of their check-up appointments.
• Work environment is challenging, note the age restrictions: The job market poses big challenges; many recruitment listings imply an unspoken rule of “age 35”. Hence, if you seek long-term development here, make sure before 35, you either have a wide social network or sufficient savings, or possess irreplaceable professional skills.

On to some nicer points (advantages):

• Superb public facilities:
  • Public toilets – whether at malls or metro stations – typically provide free toilet paper; some even offer disposable toilet seat covers and disinfectants (although personally, I still prefer squat toilets, hahaha!).
  • Parents with babies would love the extensive nursing rooms equipped with new facilities.
  • Abundant and spacious parks with modern amenities continue to be built, perfect for weekend outings with kids or leisure strolls.
• Vibrant lifestyle options:
  • Stuck for something to do? Coffee shops, tea houses, bubble tea stalls, libraries, bookstores - you'll find them everywhere, hopefully, one fits your fancy.
  • From homely gathering parties, live action role-playing games (LARP), escape rooms, indoor climbing, all sorts of activities await young folks here to cater to your interest and avoid boredom.
  • Regarding dining, just about any cuisine can be found here. Although there might not be a famously Shenzhen flavor, Cantonese cuisine is notably authentic and well-regarded.
• Mountain and seaside views alike:
  • The city’s offering both mountain and sea views is remarkable. Personally, Yangtai Mountain and Wutong Hills are ideal for hiking; beaches like Jimiaoshazui, Dajiaoye, Xiaojiaoye, and Chaocougwei provide great relaxation and sand fun. And don’t forget Pengzhou New District, which has yet-to-be fully-developed beautiful beaches and plans for future metro connections!
• Aplenty of leisure escapes:
  • There are zoos (hosting chicken and pigs too, pretty interesting!), botanical gardens, and marine parks (with a larger-scale marine park and University being built on the go). Nevertheless, large themed parks like Guangzhou Chimelong and Beijing Universal Studios are yet to be found in Shenzhen.
• Shopping paradise well earned: Densities of large, gigantic shopping malls surpass even Shanghai. Most malls maintain good quality, so do join me shopping through "Shendey Sanghai" (a famous shopping center featuring a town-like design adjacent to the picturesque Liushan Park and Byangga Park).
• Tech buffs’ haven: You’re most likely to experience cutting-edge technology in Shenzhen nationwide.
• Convenient transportation options:
  • Midnight excursions? Uber, Lyft analogs like “Didi” can help at whatever time.
  • With two high-speed train stations (one even underground), the convenience of dense metro lines makes getting around easy; new planning is on for more metro connectivity as well. When using subways, remember our major transfer stations: Gangxiabu, Huangmugong, Chegongmiao, and Futian – the “Four Heavenly Kings” in Shenzhen's subway network.
• Inclusiveness and simplicity: Diverse population contributes to a generally tolerant environment and simpler social networks here (but, one downside is not finding close friends as easily amid frequent job-hopping).
• Plenty of work opportunities: Although competitors outnumber positions available, the competition remains vigorous.

Overall takeaways:

• Thus, while some may criticize Shenzhen, over ten million call it home; and while others praise its vast opportunities, many nonetheless leave.
• Shenzhen is a city without absolute pros nor cons. It’s essential whether it suits you best.

#ShenzhenTravel #ShenzhenLivingExperience

[Reginald Ziemann]

One more drawback to add: the lack of dedicated lanes for non-motorized vehicles. The sidewalks, less than two meters wide, are chaotic, with e-bikes darting in both directions. Pedestrians constantly get honked at, which is really frustrating.