Taking the kids to Shenzhen? The most reliable approach is actually to pick one mall: good air conditioning, clean toilets, plenty of food, plus dedicated kids' floors to burn off energy — and you're covered even if it rains. Below are the 8 Shenzhen family-friendly malls that travelling parents visit most often, each with clear details on which metro station and which exit, plus what there is to do inside. Before you set off, remember: most indoor play areas require socks, so bring your own.
1. MixC World (Nanshan District)
Getting there: Line 1 to "Hi-Tech Park Station", Exit A, about a 2-minute walk
One of Shenzhen's largest block-style malls, with over 400 shops. The family highlight is MELAND CLUB inside the mall — around 3,000 square metres across three floors, with over a hundred play features ranging from a mini city and super maze to a ball pit. It's the most convenient of the four Shenzhen branches. Afterwards you can eat in the mall, where there's an enormous choice of trendy restaurants.
2. UpperHills (Futian District)
Getting there: Line 10 to "Donggualing Station", Exit A, about a 3-minute walk
European-style town architecture, with red, yellow and white facades that make photo spots everywhere. Indoors there's MELAND CLUB, Shenzhen's first LEGO store, and Gjump Sports Park; the mall connects directly to Lianhuashan Park, so you can take the kids to the park in the morning and come back to the mall for lunch — no need to spend the whole day in the sun.
3. One Avenue (Longhua District)
Getting there: Line 4 to "Longhua Station", Exit A, about a 1-minute walk
Divided into five zones, A to E, and enormous — you're there the moment you leave the metro. Zone A has Duck Seven Nature Discovery Park, plus the large Japanese indoor play centre Round1, with over forty sports and entertainment options: trampolines, bowling, pool, darts and karaoke. You can easily fill half a day here even in heavy rain.
4. Futian Galaxy COCO Park (Futian District)
Getting there: Lines 1/4 to "Shopping Park Station", Exit C, about a 2-minute walk
Six floors and around 85,000 square metres, with 12 indoor streets and 8 atriums. The family facility is the "Star Leap Adventure" indoor children's playground, plus a large outdoor play area where kids can run around; on the dining side there are more than 20 popular restaurants.
5. OCT Harbour (Nanshan District)
Getting there: Line 9 to "Shenzhen Bay Park Station", Exit E, about a 3-minute walk
A mall on the scale of a national 5A-level tourist attraction, covering around 1.25 million square metres — more open and comfortable than other malls. The highlight is Ocean Dreamland on the second floor of the shopping centre — an aquarium tucked inside the mall. After seeing the fish you can eat at a lakeside restaurant; after dark the surrounding light-art installations light up and respond to foot traffic and sound, so it's beautiful at night too.
6. OH Bay (Bao'an District)
Getting there: Line 5 to "Linhai Station", Exit A / Line 1 to "Xin'an Station", Exit D
A waterfront-park-style commercial district, best known for the roughly 128-metre "Bay Glory" Ferris wheel: 28 panoramic cabins, about 30 minutes per rotation, with sweeping views of Qianhai Bay and the cross-sea bridge. After dark the wheel lights up with neon, and there's a musical fountain too; going up at dusk for the sunset is the most beautiful.
7. Uniwalk (Bao'an District)
Getting there: Lines 1/5 to "Bao'an Center Station", Exit F, about a 2-minute walk
One of Shenzhen's largest malls — you can't get through it all in a day. For families, head to MELAND CLUB (the Alice in Wonderland-themed branch), plus the "MIX Bookstore", said to be Shenzhen's most beautiful, and the space-themed "Space Lab restaurant" — where dishes descend from above, which kids are sure to find amazing.
8. Coastal City (Houhai, Nanshan District)
Getting there: within walking distance of "Houhai Station"
A long-established large mall in Houhai, with over 200,000 square metres of floor space and more than 280 brands. Inside and around the mall there are several indoor game halls and experiential entertainment spaces, and together with the nearby Shenzhen Bay MixC it can make up a full day's Houhai itinerary.
The smoothest routes from three checkpoints
Luohu Checkpoint: After clearing customs, walk to Shenzhen Metro Luohu Station and change to Line 1. To Futian Galaxy COCO Park (Shopping Park Station) takes about 20 minutes; to MixC World (Hi-Tech Park Station) about 35 minutes.
Futian Checkpoint: Shenzhen Metro Futian Checkpoint Station is right opposite; Line 4 then Line 1 to Shopping Park Station is fastest. For One Avenue in Longhua, take Line 4 direct to Longhua Station.
Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: After crossing by bus or taxi, the smoothest area is Nanshan — Coastal City (Houhai Station), MixC World (Hi-Tech Park Station) and OCT Harbour (Shenzhen Bay Park Station).
If you'd rather not change trains several times, just search the mall name in Amap and it will automatically pick the fastest route and exit.
How much to budget
- Mall browsing only: transport plus meals, about ¥150–300 is plenty for a family of three (not counting shopping).
- Plus an indoor play area: large play centres (like MELAND CLUB) mostly charge by time slot, and weekday and weekend prices differ a lot — budget ¥200–400 for a family of three.
- Plus attractions: Ocean Dreamland, the Bay Glory Ferris wheel and the like need separate tickets, and prices often have promotions — check the platforms before you go.
How to pick the one that suits you best
- Want the quickest arrival: the fewest stops after clearing customs saves the most time — near Luohu/Futian Checkpoint choose Futian Galaxy COCO Park or UpperHills; from the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint direction choose Coastal City and the Shenzhen Bay MixC area.
- Want to burn off energy: choose one with an indoor play area (MixC World, UpperHills, Uniwalk, One Avenue). They usually charge by the hour or per session, and weekdays are mostly cheaper.
- Want to sightsee in comfort: for an aquarium, choose Ocean Dreamland at OCT Harbour; for good photos or night views, head to OH Bay for the Ferris wheel.
- Want eating, shopping and playing all in one: mega-malls like Uniwalk and One Avenue are best — even if you can't cover it all, you can still have a good meal before leaving.
Common family facilities in malls
- Kids' floors: play areas and themed zones are usually concentrated on the same floor — check the floor guide first to pin down the location.
- Baby care rooms: large malls always have them, with changing tables, hot water and nursing spots.
- Children's toilets: low sinks and cubicles that kids can use themselves.
- Family parking spaces: slightly wider spaces, making it easier to get a stroller in and out.
Practical tips
- Bring socks: most indoor play areas require them, and buying on site costs a good deal more.
- Go on weekdays: play areas are less crowded and often have weekday pricing; weekend and holiday queues are much longer.
- Bringing a stroller: malls generally have lifts and accessible routes, so no problem.
- Lockers: some malls have them, so you can drop off your shopping and keep playing.
- Tickets and opening hours: charges and opening times for play areas and aquariums change from time to time — best to check the latest official or platform information before you go.
FAQ
How do play areas charge?
Usually by the hour or per session, and there are also all-day tickets; weekdays are mostly cheaper than weekends. Large play centres like MELAND CLUB mostly sell tickets by time slot, so it's best to buy in advance on a platform.
Can I bring takeaway into the mall to eat?
Malls generally don't allow outside food in restaurant areas, but food courts mostly have no restrictions.
How many malls can I visit in a day?
One is a good start, two at most — Shenzhen malls are huge, and two will already take up most of a day. If you want a relaxed pace, one mall plus one outdoor spot is ideal.
Sample itineraries
Half day (no planning needed): clear customs → metro direct to One Avenue or Futian Galaxy COCO Park → burn off energy at the indoor play area → lunch in the mall → back to Hong Kong.
Full day (photos + play): morning at MELAND CLUB in MixC World → lunch in the mall → afternoon to OH Bay for the "Bay Glory" Ferris wheel and sunset → evening back via Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint.
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