When the autumn breeze arrives, it is the most comfortable season for cycling in Shenzhen. Shenzhen has two flat routes that even beginners can handle: one is Shenzhen Bay for sea views, and the other is the Dasha River Ecological Corridor, known as the "Shenzhen Seine". The two routes can actually be connected into one ride, starting from Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint and finishing in half a day.
Route 1: Shenzhen Bay Park 16 km Seaside Cycling Path
The section from Shenzhen Bay Park to K11 ECOAST is about 16 km, with flat roads and open scenery, making it Shenzhen's most famous seaside cycling route. Along the way it passes:
- Talent Park: one of Shenzhen's landmarks, with lake views and a high-rise skyline
- Houhai Central River Park: green belts on both sides of the river channel, with many people running there
- Nuwa Coastal Park: a seaside park, excellent for watching the sunset
- Universiade Torch Tower: 26 metres tall, a legacy of the 2011 Universiade and a Nanshan landmark
- Shenzhen Bay Bridge: a cross-sea bridge, with a section of the cycling path right beneath it
- Shekou Lighthouse and mangroves: natural scenery in the western section
Shenzhen Bay Park covers 108.07 hectares. Motor vehicles and electric motorbikes are prohibited inside the park, and bicycles and pedestrians have separate lanes, so it is fairly safe even with children. From most parts of the park you can look out towards Tin Shui Wai in Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge; when you have cycled a while and look back, that is Hong Kong.
- Starting point: as soon as you exit Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint, you are at Shenzhen Bay Park, extremely convenient
- Suitable for: families, couples, beginners, stopping to take photos while cycling
- Fees: the park is free; shared bikes are charged by time
- Opening hours: the park is open all day (lights are switched off in some areas at night)
Route 2: Dasha River Ecological Corridor, the "Shenzhen Seine"
- Length: about 13.7 km, from Changlingpi Reservoir in the north to the Shenzhen Bay estuary in the south
- Road conditions: almost entirely flat with good shade, very comfortable to ride
- Transport: about a 10-minute walk from Hi-Tech Park Station on Metro Line 1, or Exit D of Zhuguang Station on Line 7
- Highlights: in the middle section there is a "forest roller coaster" elevated walkway and a 360-degree glass treehouse, and it also links Jiuxiangling Wetland Park, Dasha River Park and Shenzhen Bay Park
There are greenways on both sides of the Dasha River channel, and many families come to cycle and stroll. If you want to ride the whole way, you can cycle from Dasha River all the way to Shenzhen Bay and connect back to Route 1, turning it into a "river + sea" one-day route.
You can also cycle in Luohu and Futian city areas
- East Lake Park (Luohu): the largest reservoir park in Luohu District, with a greenway and jogging path along the reservoir, where you can cycle and walk slowly, free entry. It is the easiest place to reach after crossing the border at Luohu
- Lianhuashan Park / Shenzhen Central Park (Futian): large lawn parks in Futian District, where you can stroll and fly kites inside, with connecting cycling paths nearby, free entry
- Most greenways in the city are shared with pedestrians, so you must go slowly and ring your bell as a warning
How to rent a bike?
- The most convenient option in Shenzhen is shared bikes (Meituan Bike, HelloBike, etc.). Scan the code in the mobile app to unlock and use immediately, charged by time, generally a few yuan per hour (the actual app quote prevails)
- There are many shared bikes along the Shenzhen Bay Park area, so you can just pick one and start riding
- Remember to check clearly the operating area and return points in the app. If you ride outside the area you may not be able to lock the bike, and charges will continue
- If you want to cycle all day, you can choose a shared bike platform with a day-rental package, usually cheaper than paying each time
Cycling tips
- Autumn (October–November) is the most comfortable; summer midday is too sunny, so it is best to set off in the evening
- Bring water and sun protection; supply points along the way are not very dense
- For night riding, turn on your bike light and wear reflective clothing
- Some sections have pedestrians and children, so slow cycling is best
- Before returning the bike, confirm the app shows "returned" to avoid continued charges
- Motor vehicles and electric motorbikes are prohibited in the parks, so do not accidentally enter restricted areas
Transport: where to start cycling from the three checkpoints?
- Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint (smoothest): once you exit, you are at Shenzhen Bay Park and can rent a bike and start riding immediately
- Futian Checkpoint: take Line 4 from Futian Checkpoint Station, transfer to Line 9 or Line 1 towards Shenzhen Bay; city routes can start around Lianhuashan and Central Park
- Luohu Checkpoint: take Line 1 from Luohu Station towards Nanshan (Window of the World, Hi-Tech Park area), or start from the East Lake Park greenway
FAQ
Can beginners finish 16 km?
Yes, the road is flat, and at a slow pace it takes about 2 hours; you can stop to rest and take photos along the way.
Can children cycle?
The seaside section is flat and safe, and children's bikes or parent-child bikes are recommended; the main road has more traffic, so do not let children ride alone.
Are shared bikes expensive?
Charged by time, generally a few yuan per hour, much cheaper than renting a bike in Hong Kong.
Can Dasha River and Shenzhen Bay be cycled together?
Yes, the two routes connect around the Shenzhen Bay estuary.
Do you need to book?
No, the parks and greenways are open for free.
How to rent a shared bike? How much?
Shenzhen mainly has two major brands, Meituan Bike and HelloBike, and both have QR codes on the bikes. How to use: download the corresponding app (or use the WeChat / Alipay mini-program) → register with real-name verification → scan the code to unlock → when finished, park in a designated parking area and manually lock the bike to stop charging automatically. Charges generally start at about ¥1.5 / 15 minutes, and buying a "riding card" is cheaper; the actual prices and rules are subject to each platform's announcement. 🚲
- Is real-name registration required? Yes, you can register with a Home Return Permit or WeChat Pay real-name verification.
- What should I note about parking? Do not park randomly on pavements or in no-parking zones; illegal parking may incur extra charges or even get you blacklisted.
- Are there electric bikes? Shenzhen strictly regulates electric bicycles and restricts them in some areas, so tourists are not advised to rent them; ordinary pedal bikes are the safest choice.
Safety + time-saving tips
- In Shenzhen, bicycles must use cycle lanes and must not go against traffic; at busy junctions it is best to get off and push, as city areas have many vehicles and people.
- It gets dark early in autumn and winter, so returning the bike before dusk is safest; some greenways have insufficient lighting at night.
- It is windy by the sea, so wear your hat and sunglasses securely; for navigation it is best to use Amap's "cycling" mode, which automatically avoids footbridges and restricted sections.
Conclusion
To see Shenzhen's sea and river at the lowest cost, rent a shared bike and ride from Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint until sunset; it is the best-value half-day trip in autumn. After cycling, you can also visit Coastal City or Shenzhen Bay MixC along the way for a one-stop meal and shopping trip.
Where are the most bikes available to rent?
There are the most bikes at metro station exits, park entrances and roadsides in commercial districts; remote greenways have fewer bikes, so it is best to rent in the city first and then ride over.
Can you cycle into shopping malls?
No. Bicycles can only be ridden on cycle lanes and pushed on pedestrian paths; riding inside shopping malls and metro stations is not allowed.
Budget reference: the cost of a half-day cycling trip is mainly shared bikes (about ¥5–10) plus transport and meals, much cheaper than renting a venue or entering a theme park; to save as much as possible, bring your own water and snacks, and convenience stores along the way are also convenient for supplies.
In addition, it gets dark early in autumn and winter, so it is advisable to return the bike early rather than waiting until dark; if children or elderly people are with you, choose the Shenzhen Bay Park section, which is the flattest and safest, with toilets and convenience stores along the way for rest and supplies.
New facilities: 5 cycling stations at Shenzhen Bay "Happyrest"
In 2026, Shenzhen Bay Park built 5 official cycling service stations, "Happyrest 山海驛", all connected online and offering "borrow and return at any station" — meaning you can borrow at any station and return at another, without cycling back to the starting point:
- Mangrove Station (No. 1): right next to Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve, where you can see migratory birds in migratory bird season.
- Haiyun Station (No. 2): open views, a great spot for watching the sunset.
- Sports Centre Station (No. 3): direct access to Shenzhen Bay MixC.
- Haifeng Sports Park Station (No. 4): directly connected to the coastal boardwalk, with close views of Shenzhen Bay Bridge.
- Liyayuan Station (No. 5): extending to Xili Community.
The stations provide aluminium alloy bikes, carbon fibre mountain bikes, road bikes and children's bikes, and also rent equipment such as helmets and seat covers. Opening hours are about 10:00–22:00; Station No. 1 is inside Car Park No. 1 of Shenzhen Bay Park and can be reached on foot from Exit D of Shenzhen Bay Park Station on Metro Line 9.
Shared bike charge reference
If you do not rent a station bike, shared bikes along the way (Meituan, Hello) generally start at about ¥1.5 / 15 minutes, and buying a "riding card" is cheaper; remember you must park in a designated parking area before you can return the bike. The above charges and opening hours are subject to the latest announcements from each platform and the park authorities.
Note: Shenzhen has built more than 200 km of leisure cycling paths, and autumn is the most comfortable season; after cycling, you can visit Coastal City or Shenzhen Bay MixC along the way for meals and shopping.
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