For the first time in several days, I am wheeling my own bag. Oh, how pedestrian. No porters or bellhops are in our midst. Well, at least not until we arrive at the Futian Shangri-La in Shenzhen. Actually I find it quite nice to sort of be on my own again. If you count on your own as being with 3 other writers and 2 public relations people. Okay, not so much. My trip of luxury Hong Kong was in full swing and it was such a neat contrast from my last time here when I was in Hong Kong in full budget mode.
How to Get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen
It’s quite easy and fast to go from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. We hop the clean and efficient train to the border and enter a very modern building. We are stamped out of Hong Kong and ride across the river on escalators making our crossing onto the mainland. With very little fuss, we are stamped in and are on our way.
Welcome to the ‘real’ China, well, as real as ultra-modern and young Shenzhen can feel. Since Hong Kong is still its own unique area (considered a SAR – Special Administrative Region), there is no need for a VISA. But crossing into Shenzhen, just about thirty minute train ride to the north, is the real deal.
About Shenzhen
This area became China’s first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Not long ago, Shenzhen
was a small village. In just a few decades, it grew at a stunning pace becoming a modern cityscape thanks to rapid foreign investment. Shenzhen is now said to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
During previous trips to Asia, I spent the majority of my time in the Southeast (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore). And about a decade ago I spent some time in Tokyo. But I’d yet to visit Mainland China – until now. Although I’m still not convinced that the super-quick 2-day trip I’m having in Shenzhen really counts.
I definitely have to return to see the rest of China. I think the reason I’ve put it off for so long, is it’s just so damn huge. Where to begin? So I just avoided it. I need to rectify this soon. A good place to start is my friend Chris’s China Bucket List of 50 Must See Places in China. Yeah, I’ll get to that…soon!
Shenzhen First Impressions
My first impressions of Shenzhen (at least the parts that I saw) – a very clean, modern, gleaming metropolis. But, to be honest, I am sure I am only seeing a sliver of the ‘real city.’ My friend, and as far as we know, not family member, Matt Lubin lived in Shenzhen for a few years. He says,
Thankfully, Shenzhen is more than the overcrowded, knock-off-filled shopping centers of Luohu and Futian that are stuffed with excessively pushy salespeople that I wanted throw through a window on multiple occasions. There are some beautiful parks and semi-quiet sanctuaries to escape the maddening city, which is necessary if you stay for more than a week. The amusement parks are always good for a few laughs with their cheesiness. Unfortunately, the best features of Shenzhen don’t last long — the city is ever-changing, thus the disappearance of favorite restaurants and shops is inevitable.”
Population of Shenzhen
A 2010 study conducted by Forbes magazine ranks Shenzhen’s population density as the 5th highest in the world. Although, the population numbers of Shenzhen are hotly debated due to the massive amounts of immigrant workers from the countryside who come into Shenzhen just to work.
Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen
Our home base is the newish Shangri-La Hotel, which I actually like more than the Hong Kong Island Shangri-La because of its more modern, clean-lined furnishings and décor.
Plus I had my own personal escort (no, not that kind) who not only brought me to my room, she sat down and had tea with me and then showed me that wonderful ‘pillow menu’. It was nice to have a new friend upon arrival, but I sort of had to shoo her out so I could take a moment to relax by myself (or at least jump on the bed with all my lovely pillows).
What to See in Shenzhen
For an odd taste of China and Shenzhen we venture into Splendid China Folk Village, a sort of Epcot-like experience of China. This finely-manicured park, which is part of a larger theme park system known as Overseas Chinese Town, gives visitors the ability to ‘travel’ all over China by never leaving the city.
Over 100 major tourist attractions have been miniaturized and laid out according to the map of China. Most attractions have been reduced on a scale of 1:15.
There’s a miniature Great Wall, the Terracotta warriors of Xi’an and other famous Chinese sights all miniaturized in this Disney-esque playground. I imagine it is a fun day for Chinese families, but not how I necessarily want to spend my time – especially since I am actually in China. But I will say it is a bit of interesting kitsch to experience.
OCT Contemporary Art Terminal
A neat spot to check out is the OCT Contemporary Art Terminal and Loft Area where some communist-era warehouses have been converted into artists’ studios, hip cafes (including the requisite Starbucks) and bars.
The OCAT used to be a block of factory buildings, which were built at the beginning of the 1980s and remained in operation until the late 1990s. I enjoyed walking around this funky rehabbed space of designers and a ‘new’ China.
Disclosure: My trip to Hong Kong & Shenzhen was provided by the folks at Cathay Pacific & Shangri-La Hotels. All views, writing, and photos are my own.
Photo Essay: Feed Me, Hong Kong!
That escalator-and-river crossing is still one of the stranger ways to realize Hong Kong and mainland China run separate entry systems.
One clarification for anyone finding this now: not needing a visa for Hong Kong does not answer whether you can enter Shenzhen. Mainland eligibility depends on the passport and route, and transit-without-visa only works when the onward destination is a third country or region. Check the exact itinerary before boarding; Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Hong Kong is not the same case as Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Macau.