THE BEST THINGS ABOUT SHENZHEN

Often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of China, Shenzhen has sprung up in the last 30 years to become a megacity full of technology giants. You may not have even heard of Shenzhen but you should have, it’s quickly become one of the biggest cities in China.

It has attracted people from all over China who have come looking for work. This means that it is a young and vibrant city and a real melting pot for many different cultures.

Shenzhen has lots of things going on and so whether you are just wanting to visit or you are considering moving to Shenzhen then let me tell you the best things about it.

Location

Shenzhen is one of the most conveniently located cities in China. It is nestled at the foot of the Pearl River Delta, which means it is practically walking distance from the amazing city of Hong Kong. It is so close in fact that you can easily spend a weekend or even just a day there.

Shenzhen is not only a convenient city from which to visit the amazing Cantonese cities of Guangzhou and Nanning by fast train, but it also boasts one of China's most modern and well-connected airports. There are countless domestic flights to destinations all over China as well as loads of different cities around Asia.

Weather

The Southern regions of China are well known for their tropical climate. This means the weather remains temperate throughout the year with hot summers and mild winters. When planning a trip in and around Shenzhen, one thing to bear in mind is that the summer is, in fact, rainy season and the air could be a little humid.

Accommodation

Most of the buildings are pretty new, so if you are looking for an apartment you can be sure to find modern, practical accommodation. One thing to bear in mind is that because of the property boom and people flocking to Shenzhen, the city is slightly more expensive than other Chinese cities, although the wages do tend to be higher than in other Chinese cities.

Despite its modern history, the neighbourhoods across the city are surprisingly varied. Shenzhen has everything from modern western-style complexes built in the last few years to more authentic and lively neighbourhoods built on the sites of the original fishing villages that preceded the foundation of the city.

We stayed in this cute Air BnB

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Areas

OCT Loft

This is the place to come if design is your thing. It has a selection of interesting art spaces and studios, as well as cool cafes, laidback bars, and delicious restaurants. OCT Loft is a great place to spend the day chilling in the company of the local hipsters and exploring some cool boutiques.

Dafen Oil Painting village

The area of Dafen Oil painting village may be a little far out from Shenzhen's "centre" but it is well worth the trip. This is one of my favourite areas I have visited in China so far.

It is filled wall-to-wall with oil paintings and tiny galleries in which you can browse, buy and watch some of the incredible artists at work. Dafen has a real community feel and is full of small buildings, local eateries and lots of friendly people. I would recommend spending the afternoon here before heading to the art museum right beside the village.

Baishizhou

This area is buzzing with local life. It comes alive in the early evening - take your time to explore the winding streets and then make a pitstop at Bionic Brew to sample the best of China's burgeoning craft beer scene, before heading to the huge street food market a few streets down which is filled with authentic Chinese food from all over China.

Futian

Futian is what could perhaps best be described as Shenzhen's centre. Shenzhen grew wealthy through the investment of tech companies and it is no coincidence that Futian is the place to come in China to buy electronics. Asides from the countless technological malls in the area, you can find many other shops, entertainment opportunities and places to eat.

Amusement parks

Shenzhen is the perfect city for thrill-seekers as it has three different theme parks. Head to Happy Valley if you are after the traditional rollercoaster experience, the Chinese Folk culture museum if you want to immerse yourself in Chinese history and Window of the World - which has small scale replicas of famous landmarks from around the world - if you want an all-round surreal experience. There is a monorail which connects all three so you can enjoy a ride above them prior to picking which one is the best for you.

Food

Shenzhen has a mixture of food to suit all tastes. As the majority of local people originate from regions all across China, there is not one cuisine specific to the city. But that means that it could well be the best place in China if you want to sample all the insanely different foods that the quasi-continent of China has to offer. There is also no shortage of Western eateries if you are pining for the flavours of home.

Dian Dou De

Dian Dou De is a famous restaurant which serves up traditional Cantonese fare. ‘Morning tea’ is a Cantonese tradition that borders on ritual in this part of the world. You can expect to try many different types of dim sum and tea. It is a delicious and interesting experience and well worth the visit if you wish to learn more about Cantonese culture.

Street food

If you are on a budget and want to try some authentic Chinese home cooking then eating street food is a great way to go. This is no different in Shenzhen and I would go as far as to say that it has some of the best in China. You will find stalls on most street corners after dark.

Coco Park

If you are wanting something a little less Chinese then this is the place to come. The shopping mall and surrounding area at Coco Park is a Western food lover's dream, but expect to pay higher prices. I would highly recommend Azzurro for some traditional Italian food, then head to one of the many bars in the area.

Shopping

Shenzhen caters to all kinds of shoppers: from those searching for the latest designer item to those content perusing the numerous technology malls around the city. If you want to hit the shops hard then Coco Park has over 200 stores in its mall. There are also many great boutiques in the residential areas and arty districts.

Mountains

Shenzhen is surrounded by mountains and there are a few walking trails that start at the very edge of the city. If you hop over to Hong Kong, the mountainous green spaces are even more abundant.

Parks

As well as being surrounded by mountains Shenzhen has a lot of green space nestled among the towering buildings. There is a park around every corner for you to enjoy the lovely weather. I really appreciated the care that had been taken to fill every space with plants and trees - it really did make the city feel beautiful.

Beaches

When you think of China you don’t necessarily think of beaches, but just an hour or two outside the city are some pleasant beaches. They do have a slight twist in that there are baggage checks and other security checks before you can get onto the beach, which is slightly bizarre. If you are willing to venture further afield then it is even possible to indulge in quieter beaches with decent surfing opportunities.

Night Life

There is something for everyone in Shenzhen. As in other, more Southerly Asian countries, you can find people sitting outside on plastic furniture sipping cheap beers and enjoying the warm weather. There are also some cutting edge craft breweries such as Evil Duck and Bionic Brew. The area around Coco Park has a wide variety of places to drink, dance and hear live music.

So, should you move/go to Shenzhen?

Well, If you are after a place that has a lot of ancient Chinese history then Shenzhen is probably not for you, but if you are after somewhere which is a little bit different, easy to get around, some beautiful areas, a modern, liveable city with some of the friendliest people I have met in China, then Shenzhen is well worth the visit.

Check out my video about "Getting To Know Shenzhen' to find out more…