Shenzhen Attractions

Published on March 10, 2009 by brooks | This story has been viewed 6,555 times

Attractions in Shenzhen

Your guide to top attractions in Shenzhen including museums, galleries, parks and family days out. Find out about the Tower of Shenzhen, the Shenzhen Eye, Hyde Park, the Shenzhen Museum and more.

Shenzhen is a modern financial and commercial metropolis in China; however, it lacks the history and natural beauties which attract visitors to many of the other big cities in China. In recent years the city has compensated by developing excellent theme parks and man-made scenic spots. These modern facilities have succeeded in drawing in crowds of tourists, eager to check out the contemporary attractions.

Window of the World, a theme-park near to Shenzhen Bay, is one of the highlights of Shenzhen. The park displays miniature versions of more than 130 world famous sites, from each of the five continents. Here you are able to visit many of the world’s great landmarks in just one day. Of course, since you are in China, you will also want to explore some of China’s most well-known sites. Splendid China and China Folk Culture Villages are two special destinations built in Shenzhen to that will introduce you to many interesting aspects of China’s culture and scenery. Splendid China features miniature replicas of splendid Chinese historical sites and charming natural beauties. China Folk Culture Villages will introduce you to the cultures of the many Chinese ethnic groups. Its highlights include life-sized examples of distinctive buildings from each group, as well as rich ethnic performances.

Happy Valley (Happy Kingdom), which is near to the Window of the World, is the largest theme park in Shenzhen and consists of nine major projects, including a Spanish Square, Cartoon City, the Adventure Hill, and the Maya Water Park. While at Happy Valley, you can join in the many exciting games and enjoy a variety of excellent performances which cater to both children and adults. Happy Valley is a full service park, providing visitors with everything from sightseeing, entertainment, catering and accommodations, to shopping.

Besides, there are still many attractions worth a visit in the city. Among of them, Shenzhen Xianhu Botanical Garden, Shenzhen Safari Park, Da Meisha and Xiao Meisha Scenic Area (two excellent bathing beaches), Minsk World (a theme park), and Meridian View Center (also called the window of Shenzhen) are highly recommended. Moreover, Xili Lake Resort endowed with enchanting natural view offers a quiet place for citizens to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town East Resort

Shenzhen Wutong mountains

Shenzhen Xibaolou Museum of Celadon

Dafen Oil Painting Village

Most major Chinese cities now host ‘Artists Villages’, where thousands of artists live and turn out millions of replicas of the world’s best paintings. However, forget any ideas of a quaint artists retreat, the estimated 5000 plus artists in Dafen often produce the paintings in factory conditions, turning them out like a car on a production line. However, there are also hundreds of individual artists who will paint a replica Rembrandt or Monet in just a few hours. Paintings costs as little as $40. Even if you don’t plan on buying, it’s a fascinating cultural phenomenon and walking through the dusty streets, lined with works by the great masters is nothing short of bizarre. Dafen Oil Painting Village,BuJi Neighbourhood, LongGang District


10 Must Sees in Shenzhen China

Guidebook writers say Shenzhen, China is a pointless destination. It’s new, it’s gaudy, it has no soul or history. They are wrong. The city has been unfairly maligned. There is a lot to see and do in Shenzhen, China.  In case you’re in the neighborhood, my list of 10 Must Sees in Shenzhen, China.

Shenzhen China at night.

Shenzhen China at night.

Shenzhen City
Shenzhen is the third largest city in China, no small feat for a city only 30 years-old. What started as a fishing village of 30,000 has grown into a modern metropolis of 12 million. A city, with a population one-third of Canada’s: Tell me that’s not something you must see?

Visit the Diwang Building
The Diwang building in Shenzhen’s downtown is the ninth largest building in the world, and the largest steel skyscraper in China. Visitors can ride to the observation deck and look out over the city, Guangdong province, and on a clear day, Hong Kong. A night time visit offers stunning views of some of Asia’s newest and most creative buildings.

Shop in Dongmen
Near the Hong Kong border is Dongmen Shopping Street (East Gate), a mecca for shoppers. Clothes, housewares, electronics: Anything you can imagine can be bought at Dongmen in the Luohu District of Shenzhen. Hone your bargaining skills before hand, and haggle for the best deal while shopping in Shenzhen.

Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens
This huge park in east Shenzhen features walking trails, a petrified forest, and museum. Fairy Lake is also home to Hong Fa Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Shenzhen. Another attraction is a tree planted by former Chinese leader Deng Xiao Ping. The late Chairman Deng, who conceived of Shenzhen and its special economic zone status, is revered in the city.

Tianhou Temple
Chiwan Village, part of western Shenzhen, features an ancient temple to Tianhou, (or Matsu) the Mother of Heaven, and goddess of fisherman. She is worshiped across Asia. The original temple was built in 1410 after the fleet of Admiral and Explorer Zheng He was caught in a typhoon in the South China Sea. The temple offers visitors a glimpse of Chinese religion and myth.

Royal Tomb
Nearby the Tianhou Temple in Chiwan is the tomb of the boy-emperor Song Shao, Last Emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty. He died when the Mongols chased the remnants of the Song court to China’s southern coast in 1279. A court official leaped into the sea with the boy, lest he be taken by the invaders.

Crane Lake Hakka Village
The Hakka were Northern Chinese, driven south by war. Their migration south started in the third century and lasted hundreds of years. They made their homes in walled communal villages in South China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. During the cold war the American military thought these villages (many round in shape) were missile silos. Crane Lake was the home of the Luo clan, and was completed in the 1800s. Visitors can see the partially restored buildings of the settlement, and learn more about the Hakka people and their culture.

Dapeng Fortress
Built during the Ming Dynasty, the Dapeng Fotresss once protected eastern Shenzhen and Hong Kong from Japanese pirates. In 1939 the British Navy, in an act that is considered the first of the Opium War, launched an attack. Chinese troops, in fishing boats, defeat the modern and better equipped navy. The old fort features the residence of General Lai, General Liu Qilong, and three temples. Dapeng Fortress is a piece of history, witnessing almost 600 years of tumultuous events.

See Phoenix Mountain Temple and the Dragon King Temple
Very close to each other, these temples, are located in Shenzhen’s northwest. Legends say that sometime during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) a phoenix lived in a cave on a nearby mountain. During the Southern Song Dynasty a General walking in the area had a dream of Guanyin, the Goddess of mercy. She asked him to build a temple near the famous cave.  The Buddhist temple is a popular site, attracting worshipers and tourists. Nearby is a temple to the Dragon King, famous in Chinese folk tales. The temple is small but extremely ornate. The area of the two temples has been developed into a large park with walking trails and green spaces

Visit Xinan Old Town – Nantou Ancient City
Shenzhen’s Nanshan District is the home of Xinan Old Town also called Nantou Ancient City, a former government county seat, dating to the Ming Dynasty. The area was first constructed in 331 and was designated a heritage site. Archeological digs at the ancient city have uncovered more than 3000 artifacts, now stored in a nearby museum. Some of the original city walls and gate, as well as ancient wells and buildings, and a temple to Chinese Hero Guan Gong, still remain.

Eat and Drink at Sea World
When you hear Seaworld, you think of Shamu and leaping dolphins. Not the case in Shenzhen. Sea World in the Shekou area is Shenzhen’s expatriate hangout.  The centerpiece of the promenade is a former French cruise ship cemented into the ground, now being used as a hotel, and containing several restaurants and bars. The area also has international eateries, and offer visitors a chance to eat and drink something different than Chinese fare.

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