City Introduction
Shenzhen, located in southern Guangdong Province, neighboring Hong Kong, is China's pioneer city of reform and opening-up and the first Special Economic Zone. From a small fishing village 40+ years ago to today's international metropolis, Shenzhen is known as 'China's Silicon Valley' and 'City of Innovation.'
As an important base for China's technological innovation, Shenzhen hosts headquarters of renowned companies like Tencent, Huawei, and BYD, making it a global important electronic information industry manufacturing base. It's also a significant financial center and trading port city in China.
Shenzhen not only features modern urban architecture and technology parks but also boasts beautiful coastlines and rich natural resources. Coastal scenic areas like Dameisha and Xiaomeisha add recreational charm to this modern metropolis.
This young city is full of vitality and inclusiveness, gathering talents from across the nation. Shenzhen's fast-paced lifestyle, innovative spirit, and open culture embody the achievements of China's reform and opening-up and represent a microcosm of modernization development.
3-Day Day Itinerary Overview
Day 1
Tech Shenzhen - Innovation City
Focus on experiencing Shenzhen's technological innovation atmosphere, visiting famous tech company headquarters and modern urban landscapes.
Day 2
Urban Skyline and Coastal Scenery
Combine urban modern architecture with beautiful coastal scenery, experiencing Shenzhen's metropolitan charm and natural beauty.
Day 3
Cultural Creativity and Traditional Charm
Experience Shenzhen's cultural creative industry and traditional commercial culture, feeling the city's diverse charm.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Tech Shenzhen - Innovation City
Focus on experiencing Shenzhen's technological innovation atmosphere, visiting famous tech company headquarters and modern urban landscapes.
09:00-11:00
Shenzhen Bay Park Stroll
Morning stroll in Shenzhen Bay Park, breathing fresh air, enjoying sea views and mangrove wetlands. With luck, you might spot various bird species.
11:00-11:30
Tencent Binhai Building Exterior Visit
Visit Tencent Binhai Building exterior, admiring this tech giant's headquarters architecture and feeling the artistic beauty of modern buildings.
11:30-12:30
Lunch
Enjoy lunch in Nanshan District, choosing Cantonese cuisine or creative fusion dishes to experience Shenzhen's diverse dining culture.
12:30-13:30
Travel to Longgang
Take subway or taxi to Longgang Huawei headquarters (about 1 hour)
13:30-15:00
Huawei Headquarters Visit
If you have a booking, you can enter for a visit; without booking, you can still admire the European-style architecture of the campus exterior.
15:00-17:30
Return to City Center
Return to Futian or Nanshan District, rest in a cafe, or go shopping in shopping centers.
17:30-20:00
Dinner and Night Views
Enjoy dinner in Shenzhen Bay or Futian Central District area, admiring Shenzhen's night scenery.
Day 2: Urban Skyline and Coastal Scenery
Combine urban modern architecture with beautiful coastal scenery, experiencing Shenzhen's metropolitan charm and natural beauty.
09:00-10:30
Shenzhen Central Book City Visit
Experience the city's cultural atmosphere at Shenzhen Central Book City, browsing various books and cultural exhibitions.
10:30-12:30
Ping An Finance Center Observatory
Ascend to Ping An Finance Center's observation deck, overlooking Shenzhen's panorama and photographing the city skyline.
12:30-13:30
Lunch
Enjoy lunch in Futian Central District
13:30-14:30
Travel to Dameisha
Take subway or bus to Dameisha Beach Park (about 1 hour)
14:30-18:00
Dameisha Beach Resort
Enjoy sunshine and beach at Dameisha Beach Park. You can swim, sunbathe, or participate in various beach activities.
18:00-20:00
Seafood Dinner
Enjoy fresh seafood dinner at restaurants near Dameisha, watching the sunset over the sea.
Day 3: Cultural Creativity and Traditional Charm
Experience Shenzhen's cultural creative industry and traditional commercial culture, feeling the city's diverse charm.
09:00-17:00
Happy Valley Full Day
Spend a thrilling and joyful day at Happy Valley Shenzhen, experiencing various rides and spectacular shows. Multiple restaurants inside for lunch.
17:00-17:30
Transportation
From Happy Valley to OCT Creative Culture Park (about 15 minutes walk)
17:30-19:00
OCT Creative Park Stroll
Feel the artistic atmosphere in the creative park, visit galleries and studios, enjoy afternoon tea at specialty cafes or restaurants.
19:00-20:00
Lianhua Mountain Climb
Climb Lianhua Mountain, visit Deng Xiaoping's bronze statue, overlook Shenzhen Futian Central District night scenery.
20:00-22:00
Dongmen Old Street Night Market
Visit Dongmen Old Street, experience old Shenzhen's local atmosphere, taste various snacks, buy souvenirs, concluding the three-day Shenzhen journey.
Attraction Details
Shenzhen Bay Park
A coastal recreational park along Shenzhen Bay's coastline, stretching about 11 kilometers. Rich in vegetation with mangrove wetlands, it's ideal for bird watching and morning exercises. Offers views of Shenzhen Bay Bridge and Hong Kong skyline.
Tencent Binhai Building
Tencent's global headquarters building designed by renowned architects, incorporating technology and artistic elements. While interior visits aren't available, the unique exterior design represents one of Shenzhen's modern architectural masterpieces.
Huawei Headquarters Songshan Lake
Huawei Group's global headquarters base, with architecture incorporating European town characteristics and beautiful campus environment. While advance booking is required for visits, the surrounding landscape is worth seeing, reflecting tech companies' humanistic care.
Shenzhen Central Book City
One of China's largest book cities, integrating book retail, cultural display, and academic exchange. Besides rich book resources, it regularly hosts various cultural activities and exhibitions, serving as Shenzhen's cultural landmark.
Ping An Finance Center
Shenzhen's tallest building at 599 meters, China's second tallest building. The 116th floor has an observation deck offering 360-degree views of Shenzhen. The design incorporates Lingnan cultural elements, especially spectacular at night.
Dameisha Beach Park
Shenzhen's most famous beach resort with 1,800 meters of coastline. The beach is gentle and the water clear, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and various water activities. Complete surrounding facilities.
Happy Valley Shenzhen
One of China's most popular theme parks, featuring nine themed areas and over 100 attractions. With thrilling roller coasters, romantic Ferris wheels, and spectacular shows, suitable for family entertainment.
OCT Creative Culture Park
A creative culture park converted from old industrial areas, gathering numerous art studios, galleries, design companies, and specialty restaurants. Regularly hosts art exhibitions and cultural activities, serving as an important carrier of Shenzhen's creative industry.
Lianhua Mountain Park
A mountain park in downtown Shenzhen with a bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping at the summit. Popular spot for citizens' leisure and exercise. Climbing offers views of Shenzhen cityscape, especially the skyline of Futian Central District.
Dongmen Old Street
Shenzhen's oldest commercial district, preserving the authentic local atmosphere of old Shenzhen. Gathering various snacks, clothing, and department stores, it's a great place to experience Shenzhen's local culture and buy affordable goods.
Local Specialty Foods
Shenzhen Hot Pot
Shenzhen's characteristic hot pot, mainly featuring seafood and Cantonese ingredients, with light and fresh broth emphasizing the original flavors of ingredients.
Haidilao, Tai Er Pickled Fish, various Cantonese tea restaurants
Shajing Oysters
Premium oysters from Shajing, Bao'an, Shenzhen, with tender and plump meat, representing Shenzhen's seafood specialty.
Shajing Seafood Market, various seafood restaurants
Hakka Stuffed Tofu
Traditional Shenzhen Hakka dish with tofu stuffed with meat filling, tender texture and delicious taste.
Hakka Wang, various Hakka restaurants
Preserved Meat Clay Pot Rice
Cantonese classic with rice cooked with preserved sausage and meat in clay pot, with fragrant crispy bottom.
Tao Tao Ju, Dian Du De, various tea restaurants
Coconut Chicken
Chicken soup stewed with coconut water, sweet and fresh, representing Shenzhen's Cantonese soup dishes.
Run Yuan Si Ji, specialty coconut chicken restaurants
Chaoshan Beef Hot Pot
Cuisine brought by Chaoshan immigrants to Shenzhen, featuring fresh beef and clear broth, emphasizing timing and ingredient freshness.
Ba He Li Hai Ji, Niu Jiao Xian Sheng
Practical Tips
Best Time to Visit
Shenzhen has a subtropical oceanic climate, warm year-round. The best season is October to April with cool and dry weather. Summer (May-September) is hot and rainy but rich in coastal activities.
Transportation
Shenzhen has a well-developed metro network covering major attractions. Recommend purchasing Shenzhen Tong card or using mobile payment. Entry from Hong Kong is convenient via Luohu, Futian, Shenzhen Bay checkpoints.
Accommodation
Recommend staying near Futian Central District or Nanshan Science Park for convenient transportation and complete commercial facilities. Luohu District is close to Hong Kong border, convenient for shopping. Yantian District has sea-view hotels suitable for vacation.
Shopping Guide
Dongmen commercial area suitable for budget shopping; Huaqiangbei is electronics hub; Mixc and Coastal City shopping centers feature international brands; Luohu Commercial City suitable for wholesale shopping.
Language and Culture
Shenzhen primarily uses Mandarin, also Cantonese and Hakka dialects. High level of internationalization with English commonly used in business districts. Open and inclusive immigrant culture is Shenzhen's characteristic.
Special Experiences
Can participate in innovation exhibitions in science parks; experience maritime sports like sailing and diving; visit cultural and creative park art exhibitions; try Greater Bay Area cross-border day trips.
Conclusion
Three days in Shenzhen showcase this innovation city's multiple charms: from high-tech company headquarters to beautiful coastal scenery, from modern urban architecture to traditional commercial districts. Shenzhen attracts global attention with its unique development model and open, inclusive urban spirit.
Shenzhen's success lies not only in its economic development miracle but also in its continuous innovation capability and vision for the future. This city demonstrates the tremendous achievements of China's reform and opening-up policy and indicates unlimited possibilities for China's future development.
If you have more time, consider extending your itinerary to experience surrounding attractions like Dapeng Peninsula's coastal resorts, OCT East theme parks, or Hong Kong for cross-border tourism experiences.
Itinerary Highlights Summary
- 1Experience China's Silicon Valley tech innovation atmosphere, visiting Tencent and Huawei headquarters
- 2Ascend Ping An Finance Center to overlook Shenzhen's city skyline, experiencing modern metropolis grandeur
- 3Enjoy beach vacation time at Dameisha, feeling the charm of this tropical coastal city
- 4Explore cultural creative spaces like OCT Creative Park, experiencing Shenzhen's artistic and cultural atmosphere
- 5Taste Cantonese seafood and Chaoshan hot pot authentic cuisine, experiencing diverse food culture
- 6Experience traditional market culture at Dongmen Old Street, feeling the contrast between new and old Shenzhen