Shenzhen: Nope. Never Again.

[Dr. Guadalupe Homenick]

Sigh, girls, I must be honest: it seems that Shenzhen may not be the perfect destination for someone looking to come here purely for relaxation and sightseeing.

• We had booked our flights a long time ago without thinking much about whether we would enjoy the trip. As we couldn't afford to cancel the tickets, we embarked on a "5-day 4-night" trip despite the internal resistance.

• We just arrived yesterday, and today, we entered the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden. How can I put it? Perhaps it's partially due to my high expectations – the scenery did not quite match what was advertised as amazing; there is a bit of disappointment here.

  • In another word, if you're counting on seeing something of an extraordinary kind that would earn a “wow” from you, then the garden might be more suitable for local residents who go to take a casual walk over weekends than for tourists. Now the question is what to see or do in the next few days! If there's nothing all too appealing, my husband and I are likely to fight every day with "Why did you drag us all the way to Shenzhen?" This has gone round and round our ears, while our kid is asking the same questions: "... Then when will we get to somewhere enjoyable? Shenzhen is so boring..."

️ A Must-read For Those On The Fence About Visiting Shenzhen

• Managing your expectations is critical! Shenzhen has developed into a modern, economically-driven metropolis rather than what people might picture as a traditional Chinese tourist resort with ancient historical sites and unique natural scenery. Should you have been anticipating discovering an old Chinese town, you might not find what you were looking forward to after arrival.

• Be sure to do enough homework before visiting! Find out what truly entices you about the city first. Some prefer theme parks such as Window of the World or Happy Valley, while others enjoy shopping at urban malls or feeling the city's unique vibe. Better be well prepared, like me, who couldn't stand the difference between reality and imagination.

That being said, any friends or sisters who have previously visited Shenzhen, please enlighten me with suggestions that fit those needs! It should preferably be somewhere both our children and we parents can appreciate and not waste time in fighting during this journey. #Shenzhen Travel

PS: We want something for the kids, too! We're desperate; otherwise, this experience would be doomed to end up a conflict-ridden one for the entire family.

[Miss Angela Cormier]

How about a walk by the sea?