Shenzhen: To Go, or Not to Go?
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Wow, this really startled me a bit! The impression that Shenzhen left on me is somewhat chaotic.
As a graduate from the class of 2025 who just signed an employment offer (an acceptance letter) in Shenzhen, I am now feeling quite anxious and uncertain.
A little background information: Shenzhen is a highly modernized metropolis located in southern China and has developed very rapidly. It offers numerous opportunities, thus attracting many young people to pursue their careers there.
The issue at hand:
Hearing that "moped taxis" (modified motorcycles serving as taxis, some places also refer to them as "electric donkeys") are widespread in Shenzhen makes me concerned about the condition of public safety and traffic order and security.
My dilemma:
Now, I am even contemplating breaking my contract and instead staying home full-time preparing for the national civil service exam. It certainly feels like I am caught at the junction of two paths and unsure of which one to choose!
Warning for friends heading to Shenzhen (especially first-timers):
Regarding moped taxis:
Indeed, in certain parts of Shenzhen, particularly areas away from subway stations or where buses are less accessible, you might see a lot of moped taxis soliciting customers. They often need to hurry, potentially operating unreasonably quickly.
Solution: If you're not too familiar with the area or care more about ensuring your safety and comfort, we strongly recommend calling a regular taxi or using a taxi app, such as DiDi. Even though mopeds have an advantage during traffic jams, safety should come first!
In terms of public safety:
Shenzhen, being a big city, generally has good public security and sufficient law enforcement presence. Nevertheless, caution can never cause harm in any bustling city where there are many strangers around.
Solution: Avoid isolated or dimly-lit places at night; stay alert over your belongings, especially when in crowded train stations or tourist attractions
#OnWhichPathShouldIChoose #FeelingLostAndUncertain #ImpressionsOfShenzhen #TravelSafetyReminders
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I won't be replying to comments individually as there are so many now. You've all given a lot of really helpful suggestions. I'll read every single one and consider them based on my own situation. I'm really grateful that you've all taken the time and effort to comment!
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Forget about Chengdu. I just got back from Pingzhou. Over there, I got cursed at trying to take a motorcycle taxi, and cursed at again when I took a regular taxi. One time, my flight landed in Bao'an at night, and the taxi driver took a detour – which I didn't even argue about – but then he actually tried to kick me out halfway and make me walk the rest of the way with my two suitcases! It was just outrageous.
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You arrive, and you just go quiet. It's a city that seems to make people ugly.
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You get ugly, you get fat, you give up on yourself.
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I grew up in Shenzhen, near Lingzhi in Bao'an (bordering Nanshan). Maybe because I lived in a residential complex, I never encountered such things. But the 'urban villages' (chengzhongcun) can be a bit chaotic; that's probably true anywhere. As someone who grew up in Shenzhen, I definitely think it's a great city because people here are very open-minded, and job opportunities are good. However, it's true that some areas are messy because of the large migrant population; it used to be really good. The pace of life here is incredibly fast. I've been to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, and I still think Shenzhen has the fastest pace. Regarding that incident with the motorcycle taxi driver hitting someone – I used to take motorcycle taxis at Pingzhoukou for a while and never experienced anything like that, but it's still scary to think about, really terrifying. There are many urban villages around there, so it does feel chaotic. Longhua also feels a bit chaotic (I went to high school in Longhua and lived there for a year). My advice is, if you come, stick to places like Nanshan or Futian; it'll be better.
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Housing in the urban villages near Pingzhou is very cheap, so there's a large migrant population... and when there are too many migrants, things tend to get chaotic. After the pandemic, many people flocked to Shenzhen, and all sorts of incidents began to occur; it's almost like a mini-Gotham now. But it's undeniable that it's a good place to make money, development is rapid, and big cities offer more opportunities. Personally, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou feel too old for me; I'm not comfortable with that kind of living environment. Shenzhen has people from all walks of life, and attitudes are generally more open. If you can afford to live in a residential complex, you're less likely to encounter these problems. Most people are good; it's just there are always a few bad apples.
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The Shenzhen motorcycle taxi driver was verbally abused first and did NOT sexually harass anyone; therefore, his hitting back was a reasonable response. Don't believe or spread rumors; trust official announcements, not some fabricated version of events circulating online based on pure speculation. These aren't investigated facts but are spread by individuals with ulterior motives trying to stir up social conflict—especially those copy-pasted messages designed to promote products or boost accounts.
It's laughable how some people use selectively edited videos and unverified online narratives to argue their points here. Improve your own standards, strive to be an independent woman, and learn to think for yourself. Life is hard; please respect every ordinary worker. 
Women's safety is crucial, but distorting facts and wrongly accusing hardworking individuals is even more unacceptable. 
Fights happen everywhere, every day across the country; this particular incident is minor, no need to overreact~ We're all just trying to make a living, so let's not make things difficult for one another. Taking a step back can open up a world of possibilities. 
(Everyone, copy, paste, and share this to combat and resist rumors!) -
Shenzhen still offers plenty of opportunities, and the government has recently rolled out many support policies.
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Shenzhen is dirty, chaotic, and generally unpleasant – a city overrun by electric scooters. I'd recommend heading to Beijing or Shanghai instead.
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Exactly, you'll get uglier, and your skin will turn sallow and dark.
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During the six months I spent in Shenzhen, I felt that public safety really wasn't very good. I experienced more harassment there than in any other city I've been to, possibly due to the large migrant population.
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Looks like 90% of the comments are saying 'don't go' [smirking emoji][smirking emoji].
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What's wrong with Shenzhen? My kid is there, and I haven't heard about any problems.