Just across from Hong Kong lies a lesser-known travel destination, Shenzhen. Sprawling Shenzhen deserves a moment to shine. The growth of this Chinese city appears unstoppable, and not just in numbers alone, as it overflows with creativity and innovation.
The modern metropolis also ranks among the world’s top travel destinations. Here’s why you should put it on your radar, too.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Explore the Arts
Over the years, Shenzhen has grown from rural fishing village to China’s creative capital, and with good reason. Designated a UNESCO City of Design in 2008, it’s home to many artistic hot spots, such as the arts hub OCT Loft — a former factory zone of 37 acres now dedicated to the contemporary arts. Here you’ll discover hip galleries and exhibitions, quirky cafés and tea houses, public art installations, and pop-up markets.
Also a draw for music lovers, OCT Loft holds the annual October Jazz Festival, featuring performances from international artists in contemporary and improvisational jazz.
Art and architecture aficionados should pay a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition (MOCAPE), which hosts temporary immersive exhibitions on architectural trailblazers, permanent exhibitions on Shenzhen’s unique urban planning, and galleries for contemporary artists. Another must-see is Design Society in the Sea World Culture and Arts Center, a cultural hub partnered with London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, which houses exhibitions exploring Chinese design and the intersection of art and technology.
In search of something less modern but perhaps more eclectic? Check out the Dafen Oil Painting Village, which at one point was estimated to have created more than 60 percent of the world’s replica oil paintings. Today, the art hub holds hundreds of workshops to explore. Sift through famous reproduced works of art until you find your favorite take-home masterpiece.
Eat, Drink, and Dance
From classic Cantonese cuisine to international and regional favorites, as well as excellent nightlife for all tastes, Shenzhen has you covered.
To start with the best of Cantonese dining, visit the Shenzhen location of Tao Tao Ju (which originated in 1880 in nearby Guangzhou), where you can enjoy traditional dim sum, roast goose, and sweet and sour pork. For claypot rice and barbecue, head to Da Ge Fan. Visit Man Ho at JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen for excellent lobster soup dumplings and panoramic city views.
For fine dining in Chengdu-style from the Sichuan region, visit Mawangzi Shenzen for various pork and seafood dishes with distinct spices. For those prioritizing art on their stay and in culinary experiences, take note of Magpie, which dishes up creative northeastern Chinese fare in the OCT Loft complex.
To start a night out in Shenzhen with live music in a lounge setting, Zazoo Live is the spot to dance. For a unique cocktail experience, visit the steampunk-themed, two-story Obsidian Bar, with ornate details and an extensive vintage whisky menu. Popular among Shenzhen locals, Vinylhouse, a bar and record store co-owned by Polish DJ Tomasz Guiddo, focuses on noncommercial music and high-quality signature cocktails.
Shenzhen’s craft beer scene is also brewing good things. For local pours, Half Ton Brewery has dozens of distinct award-winning drafts (served alongside American barbecue), and local craft beer Tagsiu’s locations offer distinct brews in laid-back lounges.
When it comes to late-night clubbing spots, Jade has a loud and proud partygoing atmosphere with some EDM hits, while the buzzy Oil Club is a neon haven for electronic music from groundbreaking artists.
Shop, and Shop Some More
Being that Shenzhen is a manufacturing hub for consumer goods, shopping is a must when in town. Bring your walking shoes and get ready to cover some serious ground as you peruse the seven floors teeming with more than than 400 shops and 100 eateries at Uniwalk Mall, Shenzhen’s largest shopping complex. Check out high-end designer brands and fashionable mass-market favorites, as well as popular Chinese fashion chains. When you’re ready to rest, kick back in Uniwalk’s movie theater or one of its many other entertainment zones.
Looking for tailored suits and skirts or bargain-priced jewelry? With hundreds of stores, the five-story, 590,000-square-foot Luohu Commercial City is the place to be for those who like to bargain, so be prepared to negotiate prices. There are also well-priced restaurants and massage services within the building, so you can turn the outing into an all-day adventure.
Those in the market for electronics should peruse the SEG electronics market. Said to be the largest collection of electronics sellers in Asia, the eight floors of independent sellers hawk everything from cutting-edge technology to remakes of popular gadgetry.
For a less chaotic shopping experience, visit megamall COCO Park in the Futian neighborhood, which is home to more than 200 international and domestic brand-name retailers and a rooftop restaurant complex of international eateries.
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