 | ||
| Shenzhen | ||
| province | Guangdong | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 11.908.400 (2016) | |
| height | 0 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Shenzhen(Chinese: 深圳) is in the south of the province Guangdong in the People's Republic of China. The special economic zone is directly adjacent Hong Kong and is popular as a day trip destination for shopping and going out due to the much lower price level.
background
The special economic zone became a buffer to what was then the British colony in 1980 Hong Kong set up. The idea of the four special economic zones established at that time was the testing of a capitalist market-oriented system. In a few years, a rural area with 30,000 inhabitants grew into a modern city with over four million inhabitants. Shenzhen has benefited significantly from the high price level, especially on the property market in Hong Kong. Many companies have outsourced their production facilities and some of their administration to Shenzhen. A stock exchange was set up in Shenzhen as early as 1990, which drove economic growth even further: in some cases more than 30% economic growth was recorded annually. The steep economic rise has made Shenzhen the Chinese city with the highest per capita income and has attracted people from other provinces.After up to 300,000 workers immigrated from all parts of China every year, the Chinese government has strict border controls between Shenzhen and the People's Republic of China set up. Chinese are only allowed to enter Shenzhen with a special permit.
getting there
Entry requirements
Generally you need a visa to enter China, according to the general conditions.
From Hong Kong (2016) you can get a 5-day residence permit at the border crossing, the validity of which is limited to the special economic zone. The list of eligible nationals (non-Americans) and fees appear to change frequently. Most EU nationals can enter for a fee of RMB 163.
The easiest border crossings to reach are at the MRT stations East Rail Line: Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau, the former being the more popular because there is a direct connection to the Shenzhen Metro. It is also possible to arrive at Shekou port by ferry (from there bus 113 to the city). You can get there from Hong Kong from Macau Ferry Terminal (6 times a day) A boat leaves at 7.45 a.m. China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. You don't have to use the same border crossing for entry and exit. Ferries also run directly to Macau.
By plane
Baoan International Airport (SZX / ZGSZ) is located in the west of the special economic zone. Flights mainly consist of the rest of China (e.g. Beijing and Shanghai) as well as occasionally from other countries in East Asia, e. B. Singapore and Bangkok. The airport is served by, among others, Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com), Air China (www.airchina.com.cn/en/) and Air Macau (www.airmacau.com.mo/en).
Another route to Shenzhen by plane is via the International Airport of Hong Kong and the ferry to Shekou from there. Do not collect your luggage on arrival, but hand it in when you buy the ferry ticket. Then the luggage will be handed over upon arrival in Shekou.
By train
The most frequent entry to Shenzhen is certainly from Hong Kong via the Louhu border crossing KCR (Kowloon Canton Railway) respectively. The trip from Hong Kong costs between HKD 20 and HKD 36.50.
The 1 North Station(深圳 北 站) is also on the high-speed rail link between Guanghzhou-South and 2 West Kowloon Terminal(22 ° 18 '15 "N.114 ° 9 ′ 41 ″ E) in Hong Kong.
By bus
There are several bus connections between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, for example from Wan Chai for 60 HKD. Information and bookings through the China Travel Center (see entry requirements).
In the street
Shenzhen can also be reached via the Hong Kong-Canton-Macau expressway (Lamachau border crossing).
By boat
The port is in Shekou, in the west of Shenzhen. From there there are regular ferry connections Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau. Cost of the ferry to Macau Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong cost between 100 and 180 HKD.
mobility
Subway
Since December 2004, Shenzhen has had a subway. A wide network is planned for the future. So far, however, there are only two lines (1 and 4) with a total of 20 stations. Line 1 runs east-west, from the Luohu border crossing to Shijiezhichuang Station, where the miniature park is Windows of the World is located. Line 4 runs north from the Lokma Chau border crossing (Huanggang Station) to Shaoniangong Station. The lines cross at Huizhanzhougxin Station.
Four more lines have been in operation since 2011.
taxi
Driving a taxi is very cheap compared to European standards. A ride from Shenzhen City to the airport shouldn't cost more than 100 to 150 yuan. However, not all taxis have a taximeter, so in this case the fare should be negotiated beforehand. When negotiating the price, but also when specifying the destination, the driver's lack of knowledge of English can be problematic. It makes sense to have the address of the desired destination in Chinese with you.
By bus
There is a well-developed bus network in Shenzhen. A ride on the buses without air conditioning costs 3 yuan, and the air-conditioned buses with the 100 numbers cost 5 yuan each way. Mini buses (numbers 400 and 500) go to the more remote areas of Shenzhen and cost between 10 and 20 yuan, depending on the destination. Many lines stop at Bahnhofsplatz. The most important lines are 501 between the train station and the airport and 439 between the train station and the ferry terminal.
Tourist Attractions
If you don't just want to shop cheaply in Shenzhen and experience a wild nightlife, you also have the opportunity to see a few things, which, however, probably do not justify traveling alone:
- Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens
- House of Wax. The wax figure museum is in the top of the Da Wan Skyscraper. The exhibits include figures by Deng Xiaoping (in fact Mao's successor) and Margaret Thatcher. Besides you have a nice view towards Hong Kong.Price: Entry: 30 yuan.
- Li Chee Park
- Splendid China miniature park. Many of China's sights are shown in this park on a 1:15 scale. The exhibits include the Potala Palace from Tibet and the Forbidden City from Beijing.Open: daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: Entry: 110 yuan.
- Windows on the World miniature park. If you don't have the time to travel around the world, you can see around 100 important buildings from all over the world here on a reduced scale. In the area, which can hardly be surpassed in kitsch, are among others. Replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the pyramids in Egypt and the Taj Mahal. An indoor ski hall and various restaurants and shops are connected to the park. The easiest way to get there is by metro.Open: daily 9 a.m. - 10.30 p.m.Price: Entry: 120 yuan until 7:30 p.m., then 30 yuan.
- Minsk World
- Shenzhen Sea World
- Zoological Garden. The Shenzhen Botanical Garden is the first safari park in China. Three hundred animal species cavort in various large enclosures in large forest areas, including white tigers and panda bears, elephants and crocodiles. Most of the enclosures can be walked through freely, with the dangerous animal species you can take a ride in a car. Animal shows are shown at various locations in the park.Open: 8.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.Price: Entry: 150 yuan.
activities
- Golf in Mission Hills
- Mission Hills is the world's largest golf course. The first 5-star golf resort in China offers ten 18-hole courses designed by world-class players such as Nick Faldo and Vijay Singh. There is also Asia's largest professional golf store, a David Leadbetter Golf Academy, a large driving range, 51 tennis courts, excellent restaurants and excellent pools. There is also a Spa La Quinta Resort Hotel with over 300 beds. Membership costs 550,000 yuan. Members' guests can play for a green fee of 550 yuan during the week and 990 yuan at the weekend. Approximately 100 shuttle buses run between the golf course and Hong Kong every day. Address: Mission Hills, Guanlan Town, Shenzhen. Phone: (852) 2826 0238. Web: www.missionhills.com.hk.
- massage
- Massages are very cheap in Shenzhen. A one-hour reflexology massage of the feet is available for 35 yuan. Even whole body massages are getting in many massage parlors all over Shenzhen. Usually these are in a somewhat desolate and not very clean condition and offer a somewhat dodgy impression. Prices should be around 100 yuan here. It is better to stick to the offers in the 5-star hotels, which are also open to non-guests. They are more expensive, but also safer.
- Yulu Hot Springs thermal baths
- The thermal bath is located in the holiday complex Shiyan Holiday Village. The 67 degrees warm water mixed with sulphides, iodine and boron is said to help with rheumatic complaints and skin problems. Otherwise, it's mostly relaxing. In the immediate vicinity there are opportunities to play tennis, ride a horse or go boating. The 523 minibus takes about 90 minutes from the city center.
- Wellness
- In many Spas there is also a wide range of additional services. Not just massages, but also manicures and facials. A full program of swimming pool, sauna, full body and reflexology, and facial should cost approximately 300 yuan. Recommended facilities include: Lan Gui Fang Spa (11 Guihua Rd, Fuhian), Gen Gen Reflexology, Section C, Shop 3028, Lowu Commercial City Mall) and Jian Fu Mei Massage Center (Section D / H, shop 4028, Lowu Commercial City Mall ).
shop
Especially at the weekend, numerous day visitors from Hong Kong come to shop, including many expats, so the queue at the visa-on-arrival counter can be correspondingly long.
kitchen
Upscale
- 360 bar, East Side, Railway Station, 1002 Jianshe Rd., Shenzhen. Tel.: 86 755 8233 0888. On top of the Shangri-La building is the 360 Bar, which offers a spectacular view of the city (especially at sunset). The restaurant used to turn, unfortunately this function was not retained during the last renovation. Overall, the airport lounge bar exudes a positive atmosphere and offers expensive but good cuisine.
accommodation
Cheap
- 1 Notting Hill Hostel (Bao'an district. Easily accessible from the bus station, from there past the city park, the first cross street on the left is a good 200 m. About 10 minutes on foot from Metro Lingzhi, line 5.). Tel.: 86-13434493368. Hostel with roof terrace spread over three floors (4th-7th). Dorms on the 4th floor, doubles on the upper floors, some with Chinese students as long-term residents. Small kitchen with only one hotplate. Toilets / wet rooms in milk glass cabins take a bit of getting used to. Cleanliness bearable. The reception staff speaks good English by Chinese standards. WLAN hardly usable.Price: from 50 yuan.
Web links
- http://www.sz.gov.cn - Shenzhen Official Website
