Window of the World (世界之窗)
A theme park with 130+ replicas of world landmarks at 1:3 to 1:15 scale — Eiffel Tower, Pyramids, Taj Mahal, all in one walkable park. ¥220 entry, open 9:00-22:30. Surprisingly well done.
深圳 · Travel Guide
Shenzhen for foreigners
China's tech megacity, 1 hour from Hong Kong, half the price.
Shenzhen didn't exist as a city until 1980 — it's now a 17-million-person megacity, China's tech capital, and the cleanest, most modern big city in the country. The pace is fast, the metro is one of the best in the world, and the skyline is the most futuristic of any Chinese city outside Shanghai. The reason foreign travelers come is usually one of two: a day trip from Hong Kong (high-speed rail from West Kowloon is 14 minutes) or a stop on a tech-industry tour. But Shenzhen has legitimate tourist draws — Window of the World, Splendid China, and OCT Loft for culture; Shenzhen Bay Park for the skyline view; Dafen Oil Painting Village for something completely different. It's also the cheapest major city in the Pearl River Delta: 30-50% less than Hong Kong for hotels and meals.
Top things to do in Shenzhen
Splendid China (锦绣中华)
The sister park to Window of the World: miniature versions of China's main attractions — Great Wall, Forbidden City, Mogao Caves — at 1:15 scale. ¥220 entry. Often combined with Window of the World on a 1-day ticket.
OCT Loft (华侨城创意文化园)
A converted industrial zone turned art and design district — galleries, design shops, indie cafés, and craft beer. Free entry. The closest thing Shenzhen has to Shanghai's French Concession or Beijing's 798.
Shenzhen Bay Park (深圳湾公园)
A 13-km coastal park with views across the bay to Hong Kong. Free, open all day. Walk the promenade at sunset — the Hong Kong skyline (Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long) glows on the other side.
Dafen Oil Painting Village (大芬油画村)
A suburban village where 8,000+ painters produce 60% of the world's oil-painting reproductions. Free to walk; you can commission a custom portrait in 1-3 days. Genuinely weird and worth a half-day.
Ping An Finance Centre (云际观光)
599m, the second-tallest building in China. The observation deck on the 116th floor is ¥200; sunset is the money shot. The lobby is open to walk through even without a ticket.
Where to stay in Shenzhen
We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.
Trip.com
Four Seasons Shenzhen
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $320/night
Booking.com
The Shenzhen Bay Hotel
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $110/night
Klook
Shenzhen Loft Youth Hostel
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $24/night
Book your Shenzhen trip
Three platforms that work well for foreign visitors to Shenzhen. Prices update in real time; no hidden fees.
Trip.com
Hotels, trains & flights
The best platform for mainland-China hotels and high-speed rail tickets. English interface, accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7
Search Shenzhen on Trip.com →Booking.com
International hotel chains
Best for international chains (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG) that most foreigners already have loyalty status with.
Free cancellation on most rooms
Search Shenzhen on Booking.com →Klook
Tours, attractions & eSIM
Skip-the-line attraction tickets, day tours, and China eSIM data packages. Instant confirmation, mobile vouchers.
Tours from $12 · eSIM from $3
Search Shenzhen on Klook →Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.
When to visit Shenzhen
October–December and March–April. May–September is hot and humid. Typhoon risk August–September.
FAQ
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Is Shenzhen worth visiting on its own, or just a day trip from Hong Kong?
Day trip works if you only want the skyline and one park. For 2-3 days, you can add the tech-tour angle (Huawei headquarters in Dongguan, Tencent in Nanshan, BYD in Pingshan) and the Dafen / OCT Loft cultural layer. -
How do I get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen?
High-speed rail from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Shenzhen Futian is 14 minutes (HK$80). Multiple MTR crossings (Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line) take 45-60 minutes and cost under HK$50. A China visa is required unless you're transiting visa-free. -
Is Shenzhen expensive?
No — it's 30-50% cheaper than Hong Kong for hotels and meals. A 4-star hotel in the Futian or Nanshan CBD runs $90-150/night; the same standard in Hong Kong is $200-300.
Get our Shenzhen itinerary
A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.