Heads Up❗️Spill Your China Travel Fails (So We Don't Repeat Them!)

[Leon O'Keefe]

Ah, in Shenzhen, rainy days mean that the Rain God is a regular guest. But don't worry, there are plenty of unique activities to enjoy during the rain!

• Rainy Day Cultural Arts Itinerary:

  • Visit the Large Shopping Malls! Try The MixC in Futian, Coastal City in Nanshan or COCO Park in Luohu. These locations provide one-stop shopping, dining and entertainment, equipped with air conditioning to ensure a sense of comfort as though nothing changes despite the storm.
    • (Fun fact: Shenzhen's shopping malls are more than just places to shop. They are comprehensive entertainment complexes offering cinemas, great restaurants, even sports facilities like skating rinks.)
  • Check out some Exhibitions!
    • Shenzhen Museum: Free admission! Learn how this tiny fishing village became a bustling international metropolis and immerse yourself in its interesting history.
    • Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition: The building itself is a work of art, with continuously updated exhibitions. Best place to take photos!
  • Indulge in a nice bookshop/coffee shop: find a cozy corner, order a drink, read books, or simply daydream – it's all quite relaxing.

• Food Buffet Rain Plan:

  • Rainy days are perfect for enjoying steaming hot dishes! Try authentic Cantonese cuisine like early-morning dim sum or seafood delicacies.
  • Or you could find a famous Hot Pot place, sweat it out, and all the dampness will vanish!

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️ Rainy Day Travel Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Travel Section:
  • Preferred option: metro – Shenzhen's subway system is vast and won't be disturbed by ground traffic issues. It’s the most reliable means of transport during rainy days.
  • Taxis/ride-hailing apps – They may charge higher prices and be prone to congestion due to high demand during the rain. Make psychological preparations.
    • (How to avoid: Try to avoid peak times or compare prices on different apps)
• Equipment Section:
  • Rain gear essentials – Shenzhen's rain comes and goes quickly and can sometimes be heavy. Keep portable umbrellas or light raincoats handy at all times.
  • Non-slip shoes – Wet surfaces can be slippery, wear shoes with good grip to ensure safety first.
• Scene Selection Section:
  • Be cautious about outdoor attractions – For example, major outdoor complexes like Window of the World, Happy Valley, parks like Lianhuashan Park, Fairy Lake Botanical Garden or Dameisha & Xiaomeisha Beaches, these places might be affected during rainy days. Some attractions might even be closed temporarily to visitors.
    • (How to avoid: Check the weather forecast in advance; if it looks bad, don't hesitate to change your itinerary and stay indoors.)
• Potential Scams Warnings:
  • Electronics purchases – Especially at places like Huaqiangbei, where it's easy to get scammed! If you aren't an expert, there's a high chance you'll buy refurbished products or overpriced goods.
    • (How to avoid: Avoid buying unless absolutely necessary. Make sure to check multiple stores thoroughly before purchasing, or go with a knowledgeable local friend. Authorised stores are relatively safer.)
  • The insistent sellers outside attractions – Whether selling small souvenirs or offering “discounted” entry tickets, most likely trying to scam tourists.
    • (How to avoid: Buy tickets officially and view small items carefully without being persuaded.)
  • The lure of “free” offerings – Examples including sudden invitations to visit certain places for free, or seemingly free tea arts performances, which often lead to expensive traps.
    • (How to avoid: Beware of greedy temptations. There's no free lunch after all. Always stay alert.)

Even on a rainy day, wish you to still have fun and enjoy the numerous tasty food in Shenzhen!

[Elaine Boyle PhD]

No red flags at all, and they have incredible patience.

[Timothy Denesik]

Avoid wearing overly revealing clothes on the subway, and don't go to secluded areas alone at night. There are a lot of creeps around.

[Shawna Keebler-Satterfield]

Also, try to avoid staying in Longhua District; it's genuinely quite chaotic and not very safe there.

[Maryann Daniel IV]

I'm arriving in Shenzhen on May 12th, and the weather forecast shows over 40 days of cloudy and rainy weather. It's such a headache! If I reschedule for November, I'll have to wait more than half a year.

[Danielle Purdy-Weimann]

Just come to Shenzhen, don't worry! Rain here usually doesn't last continuously. If it rains really hard, the Shenzhen Education Bureau will even suspend classes!

[Abraham Kris]

Don't go to Longhua. A lot of incidents have happened there; public safety isn't very good.

[Darren Sawayn]

Even wearing normal clothes and pants, you can get harassed. They know most girls are from out of town and won't speak up if bullied. All my female colleagues have experienced this, more than once. I don't recommend Shenzhen for girls due to frequent overtime, unsafe subway exits at night, and needing to be cautious even with taxi drivers. It’s just generally scary.

[Ellis Sauer DVM]

Oh my god, really? Which district are you talking about?

[Sally Breitenberg]

If you tend to get 'heaty' easily (a concept in Chinese medicine where certain foods cause symptoms like sore throats or breakouts), try to eat less hot pot and barbecue while you're here.

[Kathryn Heller]

If you're coming to find a job and you're more skilled than most, you don't need to worry about this—just come. I'm one of 'the most,' still haven't found anything, and I'm already preparing to leave.

[Wesley Parisian-Kerluke IV]

Hang in there in Shenzhen! I actually regret leaving myself.

[Steve Beatty]

I'd recommend bringing plenty of money.

[Dr. Danny Bayer]

Absolutely avoid wearing revealing clothes, and don't go to run-down, remote places. Once, my two friends and I put on full makeup, dressed up nicely, and were just wandering around. We got followed by an older guy selling rat and cockroach poison. After a while, he rode up on a motorcycle and asked us, 'Where are you three pretty ladies going? I can take you there.'