Shenzhen is more than twice the size of Hong Kong, and each district has its own completely different character: Futian is the commercial hub, Luohu is a shopping paradise, Nanshan has plenty of hipster spaces, Bao'an boasts mega malls, and Yantian offers sea views. Don't want to keep visiting the same mall over and over? Here are one-day itinerary routes organised by district, all starting from the border checkpoints and connected by metro:
🏙️ Futian District — Direct from the Checkpoint · Commercial Hub One-Day Trip
Route: Futian Checkpoint → Convention & Exhibition Center / COCO Park → Lianhuashan Park → Zhuoyue Center → Back to Checkpoint
- After clearing customs at Futian Checkpoint, you're straight on the Shenzhen Metro. Your first stop can be COCO Park or Zhuoyue Center for shopping and dining
- In the afternoon, take a stroll through Lianhuashan Park, and you can even climb to the hilltop plaza for a panoramic view of the Futian CBD
- In the evening, head back to the Convention & Exhibition Center area for dinner — plenty of choices
- Best for: Hongkongers heading north for the first time, or those who want to shop at malls without too much hassle
🛍️ Luohu District — Shopping Paradise · Authentic Local Food One-Day Trip
Route: Luohu Checkpoint → Dongmen Pedestrian Street → Kingglory Plaza / MixC → Wenheyou → Back to Checkpoint
- It's just a 5-minute walk from Luohu Checkpoint to Dongmen Pedestrian Street, where you'll find clothes, shoes, snacks and assorted goods — a bargain hunter's paradise
- After shopping, head to Kingglory Plaza / MixC to cool off in the air conditioning and grab lunch
- In the afternoon, you can check out Shenzhen Wenheyou (Luohu branch) and relive the 1980s Changsha street scenes
- In the evening, keep browsing at the Dongmen night market until your feet give out before heading back to Hong Kong
- Best for: Hongkongers who love bargain hunting, eating local food, and are on a budget
🌿 Nanshan District — Hipster Coffee · Waterfront Views One-Day Trip
Route: Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint → Sea World → OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park → Shenzhen Bay Park → Coast City
- After clearing customs at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint, head first to Sea World to see the Minghua ship and international restaurants
- In the afternoon, visit OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park, a hipster district converted from old factories, lined with coffee shops and galleries
- At dusk, take a walk along the waterfront at Shenzhen Bay Park — on a clear day you can see Hong Kong across the water
- In the evening, head to Coast City / MixC World for dinner and shopping
- Best for: hipsters, couples, and Hongkongers looking to relax
🏬 Bao'an District — Mega Mall · New District Exploration One-Day Trip
Route: Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint / Airport → Uniwalk → Bay Glory → Bao'an Central Area
- Uniwalk is a mega mall in Shenzhen — you could spend a whole day and still not see everything, with restaurants, cinemas and more
- After shopping, head to Bay Glory (waterfront park + Ferris wheel) — the sunset views are stunning
- Best for: Hongkongers who want to explore new malls, or those staying in Bao'an / near the airport
🎢 Longgang District — Family Fun · Major Attractions One-Day Trip
Route: Futian Checkpoint → Universiade Center / Longgang Wanda → Gankeng Ancient Town
- Longgang has plenty of large attractions and family amusement parks, and new malls like Wanda Plaza are spacious
- If you fancy an ancient town, head to Gankeng Hakka Ancient Town — free entry and great for photos
- Best for: families, and Hongkongers who want to escape the packed malls in the city centre
🌊 Yantian District — Sea Views and Seafood · Resort Vibes One-Day Trip
Route: Liantang / Shatoujiao Checkpoint → Chung Ying Street → Dameisha / Xiaomeisha → Seafood Street
- Yantian District is home to Chung Ying Street (a historic site) and the beaches of Dameisha / Xiaomeisha
- For seafood, head to Yantian Seafood Street, where you can pick your catch and have it cooked fresh — great value for money
- Best for: Hongkongers who want to see the sea, eat seafood, and get away from the city centre
Planning Tips
- All routes are connected by metro / walking — set your route in advance using Amap (Gaode Maps)
- Malls get crowded on weekends; if you want a more comfortable experience, go on weekdays
- Every district has malls as a "Plan B": if it rains or gets too hot, retreat indoors
- Want to know what else Shenzhen has to offer? Check out Shenzhen fun things to do and shopping guide
💬 Comments
Loading…