A fishing village turned global tech powerhouse in a single generation, Shenzhen is young, fast and futuristic — China's startup and hardware capital, right on the border with Hong Kong.
History & culture
Designated China's first Special Economic Zone in 1980, Shenzhen exploded from a few hundred thousand people to a megacity of over 17 million, becoming a symbol of the country's reform-era transformation.
What to see & do
- ◆Huaqiangbei, the world's largest electronics market
- ◆OCT-LOFT and Shenzhen Bay's contemporary art and design
- ◆Lianhua Mountain Park city views
- ◆Dameisha and Xichong beaches on the east coast
- ◆Day crossing to Hong Kong
What to eat
- ●Cantonese dim sum and roast meats
- ●Hakka clay-pot and stuffed tofu
- ●International food from a young migrant city
Getting there
Bao'an International Airport plus high-speed rail (Futian and Shenzhen North) connect nationwide; metro links to Hong Kong border crossings.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Distances are huge — rely on the excellent metro rather than walking between districts.
- At electronics markets, bargain and test goods before paying.
- It's a modern city, not a historic one — come for energy, food and gateways, not old streets.
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