National Day Golden Week: Shenzhen's Shopping Malls Are the Main Battleground
The 2026 National Day Golden Week runs from October 1 to 7, one of the peak periods for visitors heading to Shenzhen. This year, the Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau released a "Shenzhen Shopping Season" mall event roundup during the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, covering 10 major shopping districts in one go, including Qianhai One Avenue, Shenzhen Joy City, and Bao'an Daqianli. Event types include IP debut exhibitions, themed markets, music performances, group-buy perks, and spending vouchers. This guide is organised by "checkpoint zone": cross at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint for the nearby Bao'an/Qianhai district, or cross at Luohu or Futian Checkpoint for downtown malls — pick your mall based on which checkpoint you usually use.
1. The Official 10 Major Shopping Districts: Key Events Still Running October 1–7
| Shopping District | Key Events During National Day | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Qianhai One Avenue | Stranger Things South China Debut Exhibition (until October 8), ZO&FRIENDS Cloud Wanderlust (national debut, until November), POP BAKERY Pop-Up Truck (until October 31) | B1 Central Plaza, L1 Star Street |
| Shenzhen Joy City | Genshin Impact Midsummer Party Pop-Up (until October 7), HELLO KITTY Summer Sweetheart Party (until October 30) | L1 Sunlit Atrium, LG Starlight Walk |
| Bao'an Daqianli | Super Cat Space (September 30 to November 1), ChillChillChill Concert (October 4) | L1 Wood Atrium, L1 Night-Seeking Lane |
| Huaide MixC | BKT 7-Metre Giant Art Exhibition (until December 12), Nearby Wellness Bureau First Wellness Market (October 1–7) | Building A LG Atrium, Rooftop Garden |
| Defeng · Yuanfang Shopping Centre | All-OK Group Vouchers, Children's Basketball Championship (October 2–3), Children's Host Competition (October 4–7) | L1 Atrium |
| Manfen Tiandi | Xingyi CINITY Cinema Opening, New Store Perks | 8/F Customer Service Desk |
The remaining key events at Qianhai HOP Tiandi, Bao'an Wanda Plaza, Xingcheng Shopping Centre, and Bao'an Huaqiang Plaza were concentrated around Mid-Autumn (September 25–27) and have already ended. During National Day, these malls mainly offer regular operations and group-buy vouchers, so it's best to check the mall's official WeChat before you go.
2. Bao'an/Qianhai: Closest to Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint
Qianhai One Avenue (Bao'an)
Currently the strongest concentration of mall exhibitions in all of Shenzhen. The Stranger Things South China debut exhibition recreates scenes from the show and sells official merchandise, running until October 8; G-Dragon's IP "ZO&FRIENDS Cloud Wanderlust" is a national debut, featuring a giant ZOA cat installation and a daisy garden photo spot. Address: 99 Xinhu Road, Bao'an District, Shenzhen. Reachable on foot from Baohua Station on Line 5 and Bao'an Centre Station on Lines 1/5.
Shenzhen Joy City (Bao'an)
Aimed at young people and anime fans: the Genshin Impact Midsummer Party pop-up is its first stop in South China, with multiple photo spots and official merchandise; the HELLO KITTY Summer Sweetheart Party is its Shenzhen debut. The Genshin pop-up runs until October 7, perfect timing for National Day. Address: Qianjin 1st Road, Xin'an Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen. Near Xingdong Station on Line 5 and Pingzhou Station on Line 1.
Bao'an Daqianli (Bao'an)
"Super Cat Space" is its Bao'an debut, with cat-themed art installations filling the exhibition area, open September 30 to November 1; on October 4 there's also an outdoor "ChillChillChill Sweet" concert. Address: Xin'an 6th Road, Bao'an District, Shenzhen. Near Lingzhi Station on Line 5.
Huaide MixC (Bao'an)
The 7-metre-tall giant angel sculpture "BKT Giant Art Exhibition" runs until December 12 — a must-visit photo spot; the first Wellness Market at the rooftop garden is open October 1–7 as usual, with wellness teas and herbal crafts. Address: Huaide Road, Bao'an District, Shenzhen. Near Huaide Station on Line 12.
3. Luohu/Futian/Nanshan: National Day Fun at Malls Along the Checkpoint Routes
Shenzhen MixC (Luohu)
The most convenient upscale mall after crossing at Luohu Checkpoint. During National Day, the "Black Pearl Tidal Food Market" lands at MixC's MixC Street, gathering 19 Black Pearl restaurants from 9 cities nationwide across 13 cuisines, with free entry October 1–7. Address: 1881 Bao'an South Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen. Exit C of Grand Theatre Station on Line 1, or Hubei Station on Line 2.
Shenzhen Eye Shopping Centre (Futian)
An underground mall at the Gangxia North metro hub — you arrive the moment you exit the station. The 2026 National Day North-South Food Festival kicks off October 1–4, with over 45 food stalls spanning north to south in one go, plus 3 interactive food game challenges. Address: Gangxia North Metro Station, Fuhua Road, Futian District, Shenzhen. Gangxia North Station on Lines 2/10/11/14.
Century Plaza Shopping Centre (Futian)
A mall next to Huaqiangbei with the densest National Day programme: the NetEase hit game Naraka: Bladepoint IP exhibition (September 24 to November 1) features a nearly 6-metre-tall giant pagoda and a VR interactive zone; October 1–2 mobile game city challenge, October 3 Chinese anime Cosplay competition, October 4 Chinese-style music concert. There's also an exclusive "Trendy Food & Fun Voucher" for visitors to Shenzhen: HK$50 (≈¥43) for ¥100 (about 45% off), on sale September 25 to October 19, valid until October 31, usable on public holidays, limited to 400 vouchers. Address: 3018 Shennan Boulevard, Futian District, Shenzhen. Direct access from Exit B of Huaqiang Road Station on Line 1.
Bijiashan Park + UpperHills (Futian)
Bijiashan Park's first "National Day Dessert Festival" runs October 1–7, with over 50 brands and more than 800 desserts to sample in one go; the Bijiashan Art & Culture Festival (September 25 to October 7) runs at the same time. Neighbouring UpperHills holds an International Wine Festival from September 29 to October 3, with over 300 wines available for free tasting, no minimum spend. Address: Sungang West Road, Futian District, Shenzhen. Bijiashan Park Station on Line 7, or Yinhu Station on Line 9.
Shenzhen Bay MixC (Nanshan)
A flagship mall in the Houhai area of Nanshan. The "Bread Stroll Festival" runs October 4–7, bringing together multiple bread brands and head bakers. After crossing at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint, take Line 2/9 to Houhai Station and you're there. Address: 2888 Keyuan South Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen.
Nantou Ancient Town (Nanshan)
During National Day, Nantou Ancient Town, Zhongshan Park, and Holland Flower Town join forces for festival events, running October 1–8. The ancient town itself has free entry and is great for artsy photo stops. Address: 3109 Shennan Boulevard, Nantou Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen. Nantou Ancient Town Station on Line 12, or Taoyuan Station on Line 1.
4. Checkpoint Transport and Peak-Avoidance Tips
- Luohu Checkpoint: Exit customs straight into Luohu Station on Line 1 — fastest for MixC (Grand Theatre Station) and Dongmen (Laojie Station).
- Futian Checkpoint: Exit customs to Futian Checkpoint Station on Line 4 — smooth connections to Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gangxia North (Shenzhen Eye), and Huaqiangbei (Century Plaza).
- Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: Exit customs and take the B-route bus or Line 13 from Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint Station into Nanshan, for Houhai, Qianhai, and the Bao'an shopping district.
- Avoiding peaks: Checkpoint passenger flow usually peaks on October 3. Cross before 9:00 in the morning or after 20:00 at night; mall crowds peak from 14:00 to 18:00.
- Spending vouchers: Guangdong Autumn Culture & Tourism spending vouchers go live daily at 10:00, and can be stacked with malls' own group-buy vouchers.
5. FAQ
Are Shenzhen malls open as usual during National Day?
Yes, open as usual. Most malls operate 10:00–22:00, with some restaurants open until the early hours. National Day is peak season, so instead of closing they add extra events.
Do the events above require tickets?
Most mall IP exhibitions, markets, and concerts are free to enter. A few VR interactive or game zones require a mall receipt or a social media check-in to join; check the mall's on-site notices for details.
Is a same-day return trip from Hong Kong enough time?
Yes. Pick one checkpoint zone and focus on two to three malls plus a meal — crossing at 10:00 in the morning and returning to Hong Kong at 20:00 at night is entirely doable. It's best not to span three districts, or you'll spend most of the day in transit.
Where do I get the spending vouchers?
Malls' own vouchers are mostly claimed via the mall's WeChat official account, Meituan, Dianping, or Douyin; citywide culture & tourism vouchers are via platforms such as "Cloud QuickPass". Some vouchers exclusive to visitors from Hong Kong (like Century Plaza's 45% off) must be bought through a designated link.
In One Sentence
For National Day mall-hopping in Shenzhen, remember three principles: pick your district by checkpoint, grab vouchers early, and avoid the afternoon crowd peak. The event details above are subject to the latest announcements from each mall and the Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau — it's best to double-check the times before you go.
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