Shenzhen Observatory 🎈: Careful with That Hype!! You WILL Regret This...

[Andrea Hand]

Alright, I know that the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory has long been a dream destination for many, and seems to be the type of place that one would regret missing if they don't visit it, primarily because of its amazing photo opportunities in stunning settings. However! I have to point out that it isn't exactly close to central Shenzhen.

Firstly, the road to the observatory can be quite a journey, and transportation is not very convenient, so you will need to invest some time in getting there. Therefore, If you're planning to visit, especially for your first time, definitely read this article! ️️️

• 什么时候开门？

  • This varies depending if you want to see the sunrise or daytime scenery.
  • If you wish to witness the sunrise, you should arrive around 5 a.m.

• 怎么去那里？

  • 公交车: Take Route M232 and get off at the "鹤薮村 (Hasǒucūn)" stop. At the village entrance, shuttle buses can take you to the base of the mountain that houses the observatory, costing approximately CNY 10 ().
  • 自己开车: You can use your GPS to navigate to the "深圳西涌4号沙滩停车场 (Shenzhen Xichong Beach No. 4 Parking Lot)".
  • 从高铁站/其他城市来: If you're taking the high-speed train from other cities, I recommend taking a taxi upon arrival. The journey will probably take one and a half hours, costing about CNY 100 – 200. If you split the cost with a few friends, it won't be too bad.

• 山顶展馆要不要预约？

  • 有预约: Congratulations! You may ascend to the top and explore the interactive science hall, watching movies in the small cinema, or admire the entire panoramic sea view while taking photos from the highest point!
  • 没预约: You can still make time to enjoy the scenery from the observation deck at halfway up the hill. Although you'll not reach the top, the view is beautiful enough, and photographing there poses no problem.
  • 我的小建议: It is best to arrange a reservation beforehand, since spots are quite in demand. In case you fail to get it, no worries. While you may not proceed to the summit, the vista from halfway up provides stunning panoramas as well.

• 怎么预约？

  • Follow their official WeChat account 【Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory】and look out for weekly openings every Friday morning at 10 o'clock. Only five hundred slots available each day!
  • For those who succeed in booking online, get free parking when driving.
  • Free toilet facilities await at the summit, but you'll have to pay at the beachfront.

• 出行小贴士：

  • Try to avoid weekends and public holidays! Otherwise, you’ll face overwhelming crowds, and all of the seaside trails and boardwalks will be packed with visitors. Finding a good shooting spot can be quite difficult in such circumstances.

• 出门要带啥？

  • Make sure to bring power banks and charging cables! If mosquitoes particularly find you irresistible🦟, don't forget to pack some repellent. Having your own water supply can also reduce expenses incurred during activities at the scenic area as everything tends to be a bit more expensive there.

• 到了山脚下怎么玩？

  • Upon arrival at the base of the mountain, head right to capture a shot against the backdrop of the "Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory" inscribed rock, which makes for a classic scene. To return to the parking lot afterwards, you have two choices:
    • 走路: It's free! Alongside the coastline back to the car park where you initially stopped, there is a captivating scenery along the way, taking around 40 minutes, but might get somewhat tiresome.
    • 坐快艇: CNY 50 per person. It only takes a few minutes but is very refreshing and exhilarating! It can bring you directly close to the road leading up the hill.

• ️️️ Important Reminder! The quality of your photos will significantly depend on the weather! So if you’re considering planning a visit, do not forget to check the upcoming weather forecast in advance!

• ️️️ Taxi drivers take note! After visiting the observatory, it can be troublesome finding taxis that are willing to go all the way back to the city center – especially during evening hours.

of course, record the memories # weekends spent # traveling with girlfriends # seaside hiking with stunning views # beautiful sightseeing spots # Shenzhen Astronomy Observation # travel tips for Shenzhen # walking around enjoying the view # summit view # Is Shenzhen Astronomy Observation worthy of recommendation? [PK]

[Robyn Monahan]

This blogger is great at making travel guides! Her homepage also has a lot of ideas for trips around Guangdong. I'm definitely giving her a follow.

[Leland Erdman]

I went today too. It was beautiful, but it really took a toll.

[Steve Beatty]

Hi, I'm planning to go and will be bringing an elderly person (not too old, but has some mobility issues with their legs). Are the stairs down to the foot of the mountain very long? Or, if we don't go down and just look around from the mid-mountain drop-off point, can the shuttle bus take us back from there?

[Garrett VonRueden PhD]

You should ask the driver when you're heading up.

[Samuel Kihn]

We set off at 4 AM and still didn't catch the sunrise.

[Nathan Dickinson-Steuber]

Went today. The round trip cost just over 20 yuan. Totally worth it!

[Marcos Goodwin]

Good weather is definitely key, though.

[Abraham Kris]

Yep, that's right.

[Mr. Jody Bednar]

So the weather was really bad, huh?

[Jose Beahan]

Looks like there's a public bus for the return trip too. Planning to go on Friday.

[Kristi Doyle]

Yes, there is.

[Kelvin Shanahan DVM]

Gas cost 255, and then a flat tire cost another 750.

[Joseph Thompson]

Ouch, that's rough!

[Courtney Hickle Jr.]

It's much better to come on a weekday.

[Israel Koss]

Excuse me, do you need to make a reservation nowadays if you're driving there yourself?

[Howard Legros]

You can see the sunrise from there, right?

[Mr. Otis Schaefer]

Exactly, but you have to get up really early.