Smart Self-Managed Tours

City guide · China

Shenzhen

A photograph of Shenzhen
Photograph · Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0

Shenzhen is a polycentric city stretching along the coast and the Hong Kong border. Futian forms the civic and business centre, Luohu combines an older commercial core with a major border crossing, and Nanshan holds many museums, theme parks and technology districts. Eastern beaches and mountain areas sit far beyond the central urban sequence.

Practical information

Language spoken
Standard Chinese; regional languages are widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+86 mainland · +852 Hong Kong · +853 Macao
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Renminbi (CNY); HKD and MOP in the SARs
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
110 police · 120 medical on the mainland
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A, C and I · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers mainland China and both SARs

Planning a visit

Suggested stay
Not recorded
Getting around
Walking, metro and rail
  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. 深圳湾公园 深圳湾公园
    02 1 hour

    深圳湾公园

    Shenzhen Bay Park is a coastal linear park stretching along Shenzhen Bay in southern Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. The park forms part of the city's waterfront green corridor, facing Hong Kong across the bay.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  2. HQB Museum HQB Museum
    03 45 min

    HQB Museum

    Huaqiangbei is a major commercial district in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Known widely as one of the world's largest electronics markets, it occupies a significant area in the Futian District.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  3. Fairylake Botanical Garden Fairylake Botanical Garden
    04 1 hour

    Fairylake Botanical Garden

    Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, known locally as 仙湖植物园, is a botanical garden in Shenzhen. It occupies a scenic area with hills and a lake, serving as both a research institution and public garden.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  4. Nantou Nantou
    05 45 min

    Nantou

    Nantou Ancient City, known locally as 南头古城, is a historic fortified settlement in Shenzhen. The site represents one of the area's oldest urban foundations, with origins tracing to administrative and military functions in the region's past.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  5. 福田红树林生态公园
    06 1 hour

    福田红树林生态公园

    Futian Mangrove Ecological Park is a protected wetland area in Shenzhen's Futian District, preserving coastal mangrove ecosystems along the Pearl River estuary. The local name is 福田红树林生态公园.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  6. Dafen Dafen
    07 45 min

    Dafen

    Dafen Oil Painting Village is a renowned art production and trading hub in Shenzhen, China. Originally a small village, it transformed into a global center for oil painting reproduction and original art creation.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  7. Kingkey 100 Kingkey 100
    08 45 min

    Kingkey 100

    KK100, known locally as 京基100, is a supertall skyscraper in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. It stands as one of the city's most prominent landmarks and was among the tallest buildings globally upon completion.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  8. Shun Hing Square Shun Hing Square
    09 45 min

    Shun Hing Square

    Shun Hing Square, known locally as 信兴广场, stands as a prominent commercial and architectural landmark in Shenzhen. The complex features one of the city's most recognizable skyscrapers, contributing to the distinctive skyline of this rapidly developed metropolis.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  9. Shenzhen Concert Hall Shenzhen Concert Hall
    10 1 hour

    Shenzhen Concert Hall

    Shenzhen Concert Hall is a major performing arts venue in Shenzhen, China. Its local name is 深圳音乐厅. The building serves as a cultural landmark within the city, contributing to Shenzhen's growing reputation as a destination for arts and entertainment.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
  10. Chiwan Tianhou Temple Chiwan Tianhou Temple
    11 30 min

    Chiwan Tianhou Temple

    Chiwan Tianhou Temple, known locally as 赤湾天后宫, is a historic temple in Shenzhen dedicated to Tianhou, the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. The temple holds significance as a cultural and religious site along the southern Chinese coast.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
  11. 赤湾左炮台 赤湾左炮台
    12 45 min

    赤湾左炮台

    Chiwan Left Fort, known locally as 赤湾左炮台, is a historic military fortification located in Shenzhen's Nanshan District near Chiwan Port. The site represents remnants of coastal defense installations that once guarded the Pearl River estuary.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  12. Tomb of Emperor Shao of Song Tomb of Emperor Shao of Song
    13 45 min

    Tomb of Emperor Shao of Song

    The Tomb of the Young Song Emperor, known locally as 宋少帝陵, stands as a memorial site in Shenzhen connected to the final chapter of the Southern Song dynasty.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  13. 桔钓沙
    14 1 hour

    桔钓沙

    Judiaosha Beach, known locally as 桔钓沙, is a coastal area in Shenzhen situated on the Dapeng Peninsula in the eastern part of the city. The beach forms part of Shenzhen's extensive shoreline along the South China Sea.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  14. Qiniangshan Qiniangshan
    15 20 min

    Qiniangshan

    Qiniang Mountain, known locally as 七娘山, is a natural landmark in Shenzhen. The mountain forms part of the city's broader landscape and offers visitors a destination for outdoor recreation.

    • Must see
    • Viewpoint
  15. 坝光银叶树湿地园
    16 1 hour

    坝光银叶树湿地园

    Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park is a coastal wetland reserve in eastern Shenzhen, located in the Dapeng New District. The park protects a significant mangrove ecosystem centered on Heritiera littoralis, known locally as silver-leaf trees.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  16. 凤凰山森林公园
    17 1 hour

    凤凰山森林公园

    Phoenix Mountain Forest Park is a natural recreational area in Shenzhen, known locally as 凤凰山森林公园.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  17. Honghu Park Honghu Park
    18 1 hour

    Honghu Park

    Honghu Park is a public urban park in Shenzhen, known locally as 洪湖公园. The park centers on Honghu Lake and serves as a recreational green space within the dense metropolitan environment.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  18. Zhongshan Park (Nanshan, China) Zhongshan Park (Nanshan, China)
    19 1 hour

    Zhongshan Park (Nanshan, China)

    Zhongshan Park is a public urban park located in Shenzhen, China. Its local name is 中山公园. The park occupies a notable green space within the dense metropolitan environment of Shenzhen, one of China's major special economic zones.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  19. Bijiashan Park Bijiashan Park
    20 1 hour

    Bijiashan Park

    Bijia Mountain Park, known locally as 笔架山公园, is a municipal park situated in Shenzhen. The park takes its name from its distinctive mountain formation resembling a traditional Chinese writing brush rest.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  20. Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park
    21 1 hour

    Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park

    Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park is a landscaped exhibition ground in Shenzhen, established following a major horticultural exposition. The site preserves garden displays and architectural features from that event, serving now as a public leisure destination.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  21. 深圳人才公园
    22 1 hour

    深圳人才公园

    Shenzhen Talent Park is a waterfront public park in Shenzhen, China. Its local name is 深圳人才公园. The park is situated in the Nanshan District near Shenzhen Bay, forming part of the city's coastal park network.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  22. 前海石公园
    23 1 hour

    前海石公园

    Qianhai Stone Park is a public park located in Shenzhen's Qianhai area, a zone designated for economic cooperation and development. The park takes its name from a prominent stone monument that serves as a symbolic landmark within the space.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  23. 何香凝美术馆 何香凝美术馆
    24 1 hour

    何香凝美术馆

    He Xiangning Art Museum is a public art museum in Shenzhen dedicated to the work and legacy of He Xiangning, a prominent revolutionary and artist in modern Chinese history.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
  24. Gankeng Hakka Town Gankeng Hakka Town
    25 45 min

    Gankeng Hakka Town

    Gankeng Hakka Town is a cultural heritage destination in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. The site preserves Hakka architectural traditions and folk culture within an urbanizing region.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

How the city is laid out

Treat Futian, Luohu and Nanshan as separate day clusters linked by metro. Civic Centre, Lianhuashan and the central skyline fit together in Futian; Dongmen and the border area define Luohu; OCT, Shekou and the bayfront spread across Nanshan. Dapeng Peninsula and eastern coastal sites require a dedicated outward journey.

Checked 2026-08-26

Getting around

Shenzhen Government Online describes a broad rail-transit network and four high-speed railway stations, including a direct rail connection to Hong Kong. Use rail for movement between the city's widely separated districts and walk within one selected cluster at a time. The official guide does not provide a single universal route for every attraction, so consult current station and service information separately before a cross-city journey or onward travel to Hong Kong.

Checked 2026-08-26

Common questions

How many days should I spend in Shenzhen?

A fixed stay length is not recorded. Build the visit around Futian, Luohu and Nanshan, then add Dapeng and the eastern coast only when the available time supports a separate journey.

What is the best way to organise sightseeing in Shenzhen?

Group places by district instead of crossing the city repeatedly. Start with Futian, Luohu and Nanshan; treat Dapeng and the eastern coast as separate routes with their own travel allowance.

How do I get around Shenzhen?

Walk within one district cluster and use the metro or rail network for longer journeys. Consult current official station and service information before relying on a particular connection.

Can I explore Shenzhen mainly on foot?

Only within individual neighbourhood clusters. The main visitor areas are separated by distances, waterways, major roads or regional approaches, so longer links normally need public transport or a licensed vehicle.

Which Shenzhen sights need separate transport planning?

Plan Dapeng and the eastern coast separately from Futian, Luohu and Nanshan. Check the current route, return connection and any access requirements on the official source before departure.

Turn this list into a plan

Set your days, your pace and the hours you actually want to be out. The planner works around closing days and travel time, and leaves room to eat.

Plan Shenzhen