Shenzhen is an economic miracle you can see with your own eyes. From world-spanning theme parks that gather wonders from every corner of the globe in one place to the tallest skyscraper in southern China, this city also has fine beaches, sprawling parks and creative districts that are home to designers, musicians and leading art galleries. Everything is easy to reach on a subway network that covers every neighborhood.
#1 Window of the World
A theme park that collects more than 130 scale replicas of famous landmarks from around the world across 48 hectares — the 108-metre Eiffel Tower, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Taj Mahal and the Colosseum, all standing side by side in a way that genuinely surprises. Beyond the replicas there are thrill rides, stage shows and evening fireworks, drawing more than 3 million visitors a year. Good for families and visitors of every age.
- Buy tickets online in advance — they are cheaper and let you skip the queue, especially over long holidays.
- Set aside at least 4-5 hours, or stay through to the night fireworks show that starts at 9:00 pm.
- The Europe zone and the Asia zone are the main highlights; if you are short on time, focus on those two first.
#2 Splendid China Folk Village
A cultural park with two parts in one place. The first is Splendid China, gathering 82 fine scale replicas of Chinese architecture at 1:15 scale, from the Great Wall to the Forbidden City. The second is the China Folk Culture Village, recreating villages of 27 ethnic minorities at 1:1 scale with folk performances every day. It was China's first cultural park, founded in 1989.
- A single ticket gets you into both parts; allow half a day to a full day.
- The ethnic-minority performances run several times a day — check the show schedule at the entrance.
- The park sits right next to Window of the World, so it is easy to combine both in one day.
#3 OCT Loft Creative Culture Park
A 1980s television factory transformed into one of China's leading creative districts in 2004. Today it is home to more than 300 design firms, art galleries, cafes and OCAT, a national contemporary art center. The cobblestone lanes and old brick buildings give it an atmosphere different from the Shenzhen you might be used to. The annual Jazz Festival is a key highlight.
- It splits into the T Street side (small shops) and the Creative Park side (galleries and studios); the gallery side is more interesting for art lovers.
- The OCT-LOFT International Jazz Festival runs in November — book tickets in advance.
- Many cafes sit inside historic buildings, so settle into one for a while to soak up the atmosphere.
#4 Dameisha Beach
The longest golden-sand beach in Shenzhen at 1,800 metres, set on Mirs Bay in Yantian district. It is free to enter year-round and fully equipped, with shower rooms, beach chairs, seafood restaurants and a range of water sports such as jet skis, paragliding and parasailing. Every year it hosts a sand-sculpture festival that draws visitors from across the country.
- Weekdays are far less crowded; weekends get packed, so come early to claim a spot on the sand.
- The facilities in the Sun Square zone are the most convenient, with storage and lockers for rent.
- The trees along the beach give good shade — ideal for resting and flying a kite in the afternoon.
#5 Lianhuashan Park
A 150-hectare hillside park, opened in 1997, sitting at the far northern end of the Futian business district. The highlight is a 6-metre bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping striding forward with poise on the hilltop, a tribute to the reform and opening-up era. Every year during the Chinese spring festival there is a memorial ceremony; 2,000 peach trees bloom each March, and the wide lawns are good for kite-flying all year round. Free entry every day.
- Climbing to the summit takes 20 minutes; the view of the Futian business district and Ping An tower is clear and wide.
- Come early, 6:00-8:00 am, to watch older residents exercising, doing tai chi and traditional Chinese folk dancing.
- Peach blossoms open in March; in May the park changes color with a variety of flowers.
#6 Ping An Finance Centre
The tallest building in Shenzhen and the second tallest in China, at 599.1 metres and 115 storeys, completed in 2017. The highest point for visitors is the Free Sky Observation Deck on the 116th floor, at 562.5 metres, giving a 360-degree view of the Futian business district, Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong on a clear day. A lift travelling at 10 metres per second reaches the 100th floor in 60 seconds.
- Buy tickets online in advance, especially for holidays and weekday evenings when the view is at its best.
- Around sunset, 5:00-6:30 pm, the view is most beautiful, with golden light pouring over the business district.
- On a clear day you can clearly make out Hong Kong and Kowloon from the top floor.
#7 Dongmen Old Street
The oldest commercial district in Shenzhen, with a history reaching back to the Ming dynasty (more than 600 years). Today it covers 176,000 square metres, with 28 commercial buildings and more than 15 lanes, in both traditional Lingnan and modern styles. On a weekday it draws over 500,000 visitors, touching a million on holidays. It is a place for shopping for clothes, street food and inexpensive local goods.
- Prices here are negotiable, especially at the clothing shops in the smaller lanes.
- Try the local street food, such as fried tofu, Cantonese sausage and southern Chinese sweets.
- Come from 5:00 pm onward, when the atmosphere is lively and the lights are beautiful.
#8 Shenzhen Bay Park
A coastal park more than 15 kilometres long, running along the southern shore of Nanshan, free to enter every day. It splits into 14 themed zones, from natural mangroves and playgrounds to sports grounds and viewpoints that look out over the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Bay Bridge and the Kowloon skyline. It is popular with cyclists, runners, families and couples alike; every evening thousands of people come to watch the sunset.
- Rent a public bike to ride the full 15 km route — about 1-1.5 hours one way.
- From 4:00-6:30 pm is the golden hour for shooting the sunset with Hong Kong in the background.
- The Talent Park zone has a large playground and sports ground that are good for families.
Where to stay in Shenzhen for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Shenzhen — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Landmark Shenzhen
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Sunshine Hotel of Shenzhen (Luohu)
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Hyatt Place Shenzhen Dongmen
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ZTL Hotel Shenzhen
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Tours, tickets & activities in Shenzhen
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Before You Pack
Shenzhen is the best city in China for travelers who want to see modernity and culture side by side. Two to three days are enough for the main highlights, but if you want to dig deep into the tech and shopping districts, a week still will not cover it all.