Roavina

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.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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

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

Planning a visit

Suggested stay
Not recorded
Getting around
Walking, metro and rail
  1. January: best time to visit
  2. February: best time to visit
  3. March: good time to visit
  4. April: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  5. May: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  6. June: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  7. July: recurring difficult conditions
  8. August: recurring difficult conditions
  9. September: recurring difficult conditions — current month
  10. October: good time to visit
  11. November: best time to visit
  12. December: best time to visit
  • Best time
  • Good time
  • Viable with trade-offs
  • Difficult conditions

Sources

Top things to see

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

  1. Splendid China Folk Village Splendid China Folk Village
    02 2 hours

    Splendid China Folk Village

    锦绣中华民俗村

    Splendid China Folk Village combines two Shenzhen attractions: Splendid China, a miniature presentation of celebrated Chinese landmarks, and China Folk Culture Village, which focuses on ethnic traditions and reconstructed environments.

    • Must see
    • Entertainment venue
  2. Ping An Finance Centre Ping An Finance Centre
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Ping An Finance Centre

    Ping An Finance Centre is a 599.1-metre skyscraper in Shenzhen's Futian District, with the Free Sky observation deck forming its principal public visitor experience.

    • Must see
    • Viewpoint
  3. OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park
    04 2 hours

    OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park

    OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park is a former industrial compound in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, reshaped into a cultural quarter by Overseas Chinese Town. Factory buildings now hold galleries, studios, creative workspaces, shops, cafés, restaurants, and event venues.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
  4. Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition

    深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆

    The Museum of Contemporary Art and Planning Exhibition occupies a prominent position in Shenzhen’s Civic Center area. Designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, its metallic exterior and angular volumes make the building a landmark in their own right.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  5. Happy Valley Shenzhen Happy Valley Shenzhen
    06 2 hours

    Happy Valley Shenzhen

    欢乐谷

    Happy Valley Shenzhen, or 深圳欢乐谷, is a large urban amusement park in Shenzhen, Guangdong, built around themed environments, rides, performances and family entertainment.

    • Must see
    • Entertainment venue
  6. Shenzhen Museum Shenzhen Museum
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Shenzhen Museum

    深圳博物馆历史民俗馆

    Shenzhen Museum is a municipal cultural institution in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, known locally as 深圳博物馆. It is a useful stop for travelers who want context for the city's transformation from a small fishing settlement into a major modern metropolis.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  7. Sea World Shekou Sea World Shekou
    08 2 hours

    Sea World Shekou

    Sea World Shekou is an open waterfront dining, public-space, and evening precinct in Shenzhen's Shekou district. The area centres on a decommissioned Minghua cruise ship, now permanently moored and converted into a hotel and restaurant complex.

    • Must see
    • Activity
  8. Shenzhen Safari Park Shenzhen Safari Park
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Shenzhen Safari Park

    深圳野生动物园

    Shenzhen Safari Park is a large zoological attraction in Shenzhen, known locally as 深圳野生动物园. It is designed around encounters with wild animals in safari-themed surroundings and suits travellers looking for a dedicated wildlife day.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
  9. Sea World Culture and Arts Center Sea World Culture and Arts Center
    10 2 hours

    Sea World Culture and Arts Center

    The Sea World Culture and Arts Center is a purpose-built cultural institution in Shenzhen's Shekou precinct. Its local name is 海上世界文化艺术中心. The center operates as a distinct museum and arts venue with its own galleries, exhibitions, and theatre spaces.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
  10. Nanshan Museum Nanshan Museum
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Nanshan Museum

    南山博物馆

    Nanshan Museum is a public cultural institution in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, known locally as 南山博物馆. It is a useful stop for travellers who want context for the district and the wider Shenzhen region beyond the city’s modern skyline.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  11. Shenzhen Art Meseum Shenzhen Art Meseum
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Shenzhen Art Meseum

    深圳美术馆

    Shenzhen Art Museum, or 深圳美术馆, is a public art institution in Shenzhen, China. It provides exhibition, collection, research and art-promotion functions within a city known for rapid development and expanding cultural investment.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  12. China Merchants Group History Museum China Merchants Group History Museum
    13 1 hr 30 min

    China Merchants Group History Museum

    招商局历史博物馆

    China Merchants History Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of China Merchants Group, one of China's oldest and most significant state-owned enterprises.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  13. Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum

    深圳科学技术馆

    The Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum is a cultural and educational institution dedicated to science popularisation and technological demonstration. Located in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, it serves as a venue where visitors can engage with scientific principles and technological developments.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  14. 深圳科学馆 深圳科学馆
    15 1 hr 30 min

    深圳科学馆

    Shenzhen Science Museum, known locally as 深圳科学馆, is a science education venue in Shenzhen. It belongs to the city’s cultural and educational landscape and reflects Shenzhen’s strong connection with technology and scientific learning.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  15. Guan Shanyue Art Museum Guan Shanyue Art Museum
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Guan Shanyue Art Museum

    关山月美术馆

    Guan Shanyue Art Museum is a public art museum in Shenzhen’s Futian district, devoted to the legacy of Guan Shanyue, a major modern Chinese painter.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  16. Shenzhen Museum of Paleontology
    17 1 hr 30 min

    Shenzhen Museum of Paleontology

    深圳古生物博物馆

    Shenzhen Paleontology Museum is a natural-history destination devoted to fossils, ancient life, and geological history. Its Chinese name is 深圳古生物博物馆.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  17. Shenzhen Museum Ancient Art Museum Shenzhen Museum Ancient Art Museum
    18 1 hr 30 min

    Shenzhen Museum Ancient Art Museum

    深圳博物馆古代艺术馆

    Shenzhen Museum of Ancient Art presents Chinese historical art and archaeological heritage in a museum setting. It offers a quieter, object-focused counterpoint to Shenzhen’s technology districts and contemporary attractions.

    • Must see
    • Museum

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.