Shenzhen Travel: Why All the Roasting & Mockery? Seriously Don't Get It 🤪

[Jeremiah Stamm-Carroll]

Hi everyone!

I've noticed many friends who are eager to visit Shenzhen either discouraged by others saying, "What's so fun about Shenzhen?", or enthusiastically asking for travel tips only to be met with comments like, "Stay away! Shenzhen is all work and no play!"

Sigh! I'm a seasoned Shenzhener who has lived there for over ten years. I absolutely love this city! Whenever I see someone asking these questions, I just can't help but jump in and give my enthusiastic recommendations! Therefore, for those visiting Shenzhen for the first time, here's a list of seven categories of must-have experiences that you should definitely check out!

• ️ If you have a taste for artistic flair and an appreciation for culture:

  • You must not miss Nan Tou Ancient City (a village within the city that's now imbued with historical significance and artistic atmosphere), OCT-LOFT (the Creative Cultural Park, home to countless design studios, cafes, and displays), and Sea World Culture and Art Center (the building itself is a beauty, and it hosts noteworthy exhibitions and provides breathtaking sea views). These places allow you to attend exhibitions, enjoy coffee, take leisurely walks, and savor meals - a one-stop service, perfect for relaxation.

• If you want to admire the ocean and stunning sunset vistas without leaving the urban district:

  • I strongly recommend Shenzhen Bay Park (with its extensive beachfront ideal for walking and cycling), Xi Wan Red Mangrove Wetland Park (a prime location for viewing tidal flats, birds, and sunsets, the red mangroves being unique plant communities growing in the intertidal zones of tropical to subtropical coasts which play significant roles in ecology), seaside parks (located across different districts; just choose one that's nearby), and Happy Coast (which features the impressive "Bay Wheel" Ferris wheel, providing magnificent nightscapes).

• If ancient cities and towns captivate your soul's interest:

  • Be sure to visit Dapeng Fortress (the best-known Ancient City in Shenzhen, being a military stronghold from the Ming Dynasty era), Nan Tou Ancient City (as previously mentioned, blending artistry with historical depth), Gankeng Hakka Town (an excellent venue to experience Hakka culture, the Hakka being an important ethnic subgroup indigenous to Southern China), and Guan Luan Ancient Village (an old quarter that's yet to become heavily commercialized).

• If you seek a deep dive into the history and art of Shenzhen:

  • Visit the Contemporary Art & Urban Planning Museum of Shenzhen (combining both museums while offering unique architecture), Shenzhen Nanshan Museum (boasting an abundant collection), and Shenzhen Museum of Ancient Art (a true treasure trove for those enamored with ancient artistic wonders). These cultural sanctuaries are particularly suitable for families with elders and children, fostering an educational atmosphere and nurturing a love for knowledge.

• If shopping and dining are your passions, but you loathe typical malls:

  • The One Avenue, a plethora of trendy brands, gastronomic offerings, and a notable 'Elephant' statue; Happy Port (previously mentioned as also hosting the Ferris wheel with a bustling commercial district); Happy Coast (featuring a plethora of eating, drinking, and entertainment options, with an evening water show worth seeing); and Shenzhen Bay One Avenue (elegant and dignified, comprehensive in brand offerings) would delight your senses and satiate your cravings.

• 🧗️ If you're an outdoor enthusiast captivated by hiking and strolling through the park:

  • Ma Lang Mountain Sub-Countryside Park (where waterfalls await and fresh air reigns supreme), Salt-Field seaside promenade (built along the coast, promising exquisite scenes), Hong Lake Park (known for its spectacular lotus flowers during summer), and Xianhu Botanical Garden (rich in plant species and housing the Hong Fa Temple). With myriad parks offering free entry, you'll have ample opportunities to immerse yourself in nature.

• If you aim to unwind on a beach with a thorough break from the usual:

  • Heading east to destinations such as Nanao (characterized by beautiful beaches and views across the entire peninsula), the Shenzhen National Basic Meteorological Station (astronomy observatory noted by China National Geography as particularly scenic; requires appointments), Yangmeikeng Beach (renowned for bicycling and featured in the movie 'The Mermaid'), Jiedaozhou (fine sand quality and better water clarity), Jiaochangwei (featuring charming boutique accommodations dubbed “Dumpling Islet of Shenzhen”).

️ A kind reminder:

• Shenzhen gets intensely hot with powerful sunlight in the summer; ensuring effective sun protection is key.
• Visiting places like Yangmeikeng and Jiangchouwei, known attractions towards the eastern coast, can result in huge crowds, traffic congestion, and a shortage of parking spaces on weekends and holidays. Choosing alternative transportation methods, like public transport combined with hailing taxis, could be advisable.
• Certain popular sites, for instance the observatory, necessitate prior reservations via official channels to prevent trips that go awry due to unavailability.
• Shenzhen's extensive transportation network offers convenient coverage including subway and bus lines reaching most scenic urban spots accessible by downloading Shenzhen Pass App or using WeChat/Alipay Transport codes.

[Katrina Sporer]

If you're looking for an artsy, bourgeois vibe, head to Shanghai. For sea views, Sanya or Huizhou are better choices. For ancient cities, you've got Xi'an, Luoyang, or Dali. History? Don't even bother mentioning Shenzhen. And for high-end shopping, neighboring Hong Kong is much stronger. The claims about Shenzhen having lots of parks, skyscrapers, and young people? Well, those are somewhat accurate.

[Antonio Sawayn]

That's not entirely true. Tourism is about the overall experience. Even if you're going for the sea, would you still want to visit if you got ripped off for a meal and your return flight cost a fortune? Shenzhen might not have the absolute top-tier 'attractions,' but it definitely has its strengths in other areas.

[Hannah Rogahn]

Because they don't have an eye for beauty.

[Ms. Alberta Moen]

Hahahaha

[Linda Dietrich]

No matter where I travel, I always cherish the sense of comfort and security I feel returning to Shenzhen. It's a very livable city. I never understand why some people dislike the place they live in.

[Miss Alison Collier]

Agreed. When I visit other places, I find many things inconvenient, like transportation, safety, and so on.

[Orlando Ryan]

Say what you will, but getting around in Shenzhen is incredibly convenient.

[Samuel Kihn]

That's why I find it hard to get used to other places.

[Lula Turner]

It's because everything you listed is pretty mediocre – ordinary, lacking any real character, and not high quality. Some people even recommend places like Fairy Lake Botanical Garden or Window of the World, which are really only suitable for kids from small towns looking for a casual day out. If you're talking about serious tourism, Shenzhen truly has nothing to offer.

[Beulah Koelpin]

Shenzhen itself isn't primarily a tourist city. But people are naturally curious about where others live. If you're not interested, that's your own business.

[Reginald Ziemann]

I never understand why some people advise against visiting Shenzhen for tourism. This Spring Festival alone, five or six different groups of my friends and classmates came to visit with their families, and they all had great things to say, especially families with kids. In fact, two of those families were making their second trip to Shenzhen with their children in the last couple of years. Kids can play in the sand, dads can go sea fishing, and moms can shop. While none of these might be world-class individually, the city's strength lies in offering a complete package.

[Israel Koss]

Could you please recommend some fun places? I've lived here for over a decade and genuinely don't know what there is to do.

[Alejandro Runolfsdottir]

People who say Shenzhen isn't fun are usually the ones unwilling to do any research or actually go out and explore. I've been to Judiaosha Beach, Xichong Beach, the Observatory, Dameisha Beach, Luzui Villa, People's Park, Shenzhen Bay Park... and haven't had a single bad experience. If the weather's bad, there are fewer people; if it's good, there are more. It all balances out. And most importantly, getting around Shenzhen is so convenient!

[Marc Price]

Support!

[Katrina Ziemann]

You've got a point, but Gankeng Hakka Town? That's a 'nah' from me.

[Leslie Kunde]

Gankeng is alright for taking those traditional 'gufeng' style photos at night.

[Kendra Howe]

Work in Shenzhen is so exhausting, I rarely go out... It feels quite oppressive.

[Brenda Shanahan]

It's always good to get out for a walk and relax a bit.

[Abraham Kris]

If you say Shenzhen isn't worth visiting, then hardly anywhere in the country is! It's a city nestled between mountains and sea, at the cutting edge of technology, one of the most prosperous, packed with skyscrapers yet also dotted with numerous parks. Think of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, Shenzhen Bay, Yangmeikeng, Talent Park, Fairy Lake, Dahua Xing Temple, the ever-popular Dongmen! The list is endless!