Beijing Girl's Shenzhen Lowdown: Biz Trip Thoughts vs. The Capital
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Hi everyone! I've just returned from a visit to Shenzhen and would like to share some personal observations on the differences between this city and Beijing in terms of various aspects.
Regarding daily shopping and travel:
- Shenzhen seems to have much more conveniently located convenience stores than Beijing. They're everywhere you go.
- An important reminder for those who drive!: Shenzhen’s traffic regulations are extremely strict! You will be fined for not wearing a seatbelt, including passengers in the back seat even if they don't wear one. There are also frequent cameras looking out for any violations—something that is relatively laxer in Beijing.
- It feels like there are plenty of taxis around, ready at your beckon. In Beijing, unless you have booked a car through your phone prior (such as using Didi), you might find it harder to catch a ride.
- The majority of ride-hailing vehicles on the streets in Shenzhen are electric cars, less so in Beijing.
- Another key point! Motorcycles are strictly prohibited both day and night in Shenzhen, whereas Beijing restricts motorcycles only in the city center. Additionally, there's a height restriction when carrying out drone flights in Shenzhen, which must be taken into account.
Concerning the people and urban atmosphere:
- It's common to see couples of similar height, with many male residents possessing small and delicate physiques, often making it hard to differentiate men from women.
- All the ladies in Shenzhen have great skin, possibly due to the humid air. Also, the local water quality appears superior to that of Beijing, as our water bottles always collect a lot of sediment (white powder accumulated at the bottom) back home after purifying tap water.
- Procedures for government-related business in Shenzhen are faster and more efficient, with younger staff members offering friendly services. In northern China, offices tend to be slower and more bureaucratic.
- Though Shenzhen isn’t particularly renowned for its nightlife—similar to Beijing—the nearby Guangzhou, another big and bustling city, does boast a lively night life.
- The service industry here is noticeably more courteous than in Beijing or the North as a whole. They pay attention to detail and the experience is much better.
- The overall city size doesn’t seem to be as sprawling as Beijing; getting about in this city appears manageable. Traveling over thirty kilometers for a distance of thirty to fifty kilometers is usual in the capital city.
- In Shenzhen, employees usually reside near their workplaces, something rarely seen in Beijing where people are forced to commute long hours each day owing to the separation of their living and working areas.
- There is remarkable ease in commutes from Shenzhen to other major cities like Guangzhou and Hong Kong. In contrast, the north seems to have Beijing as its central powerhouse.
- Internet companies aren’t likely to work you to the bone in Shenzhen compared to Beijing.
- High-end hospitals and elite schools are far fewer in number across Shenzhen than Beijing, an area where Beijing remains top-notch.
- Shenzhen is an immigration city, with young people making up most of the population. As such, the city exudes prosperity and organization. Contrarily, aging is visible in some districts of Beijing except at its prime commercial regions.
- People in Shenzhen are mostly from Central and Western China while those in Beijing tend to hail from the North; Shenzhen, being a special economic zone (SEZ—specifically marked by the state to foster development with numerous special perks), is different from Beijing, which is more like the heart of the North, attracting all the region’s top resources.
- Acquiring a local residency permit (hukou—entitling you to local benefits) is considered mildly challenging in Shenzhen but an almost hellish process in Beijing!
Climatic factors, appearance, and dining:
- There is a fleeting transitional period of spring and autumn, with longer winter and summer seasons in Beijing. The climate is pleasant throughout the year in Shenzhen but humid, maybe a difficult sensation for those who aren’t used to high-moisture environments.
- Some women in the South are petite in stature making it difficult sometimes to distinguish if they are a couple or simply father-daughter pairs—a little fun fact!
- Due to the climatic reasons, fewer people in Shenzhen are overweight, instead, retaining slender frames.
- Spicy Sichuan dishes are available here but no so popular. Northern cuisines are rather limited. Despite that, food tends to be heavy in oil here, creating a greasy feel, yet there’s no particular signature dish of Shenzhen.
#ShenzhenVsBeijing #ComparingShenzhenToBeijing
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No way, Shenzhen has 24/7 nightlife?
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Shenzhen folks are dead serious about making money! Haven't really noticed much nightlife, though.
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I lived in Guangzhou for three years, and eczema tormented me the whole time. It only cleared up temporarily when I went home for Chinese New Year, then it'd flare up again as soon as I got back. Seriously, the humidity in the south can be a killer.
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When the original poster talks about nightlife, are they referring to night markets? You know, the ones with streets full of food skewers? I've definitely seen those in other cities I've traveled to, but I've lived in Shenzhen for over 20 years and can't say I've ever encountered that here.
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Makes sense.
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Pretty spot on, haha. I have friends from Beijing and other northern cities who say they want to retire in Shenzhen.
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Actually, more than one of our neighbors moved to Shenzhen because their rhinitis got so bad in Beijing.
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As someone who's lived in both Beijing and Shenzhen, I can't agree that Shenzhen's climate is 'good.' The air quality might be better, sure, but the humidity and heat are just too much. Beijing, on the other hand, is actually quite comfortable and refreshing – my skin was fantastic when I lived there.
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But the smog in Beijing is terrible; you end up with a nose full of dust.
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Other points are fair enough, but are you serious saying Shenzhen's climate is pleasant all year round?
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As someone from the north, I think the air quality here in Shenzhen is actually great – no smog, and it's not dry at all.