Qianhai and Bao'an are the fastest-developing stretch of Shenzhen in the past five years: after the old airport moved out, this area became a free-trade zone, financial city and coastal new district, with new malls and new landmarks popping up one after another. For Hong Kong visitors the biggest advantage is that you are already in this district the moment you clear customs at Shenzhen Bay Port — no need to squeeze into Futian or Nanshan.
In one sentence: for photos, go to Happy Harbor and ride the 128-metre Ferris wheel; for sea views, go to Qianhai Stone Park and Xiwan Mangrove Park; for shopping and eating, go to Qianhai Uniwalk; if it rains or it's too hot, head to the indoor ski resort.
1. Happy Harbor + Bay Glory Ferris Wheel (Bao'an)
A large coastal commercial complex by Qianhai Bay, starring the 128-metre "Bay Glory" Ferris wheel. One rotation takes about 25 minutes, with views over Qianhai Bay and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge. Next to it are a mall, the Zhongshuge bookstore, a seaside promenade and plenty of restaurants — going up at sunset is the most beautiful. The park itself has no admission fee; only the Ferris wheel and certain venues charge.
- Area: Baohua Road, Bao'an District
- Transport: Metro Line 5, Linhai Station, Exit B2, about a 5-minute walk; Baohua Station, Exit A1 also works
- Opening hours: Park open all day; mall 10:00–22:00; Ferris wheel generally 10:00–22:00 (weather-dependent)
- Admission: Free entry to the park; Ferris wheel tickets about ¥130–160 (varies by channel and date), subject to the official ticketing platform
- Tip: It closes in typhoons or heavy fog — check the operator's notice before you go; buying tickets online in advance saves queuing
2. Qianhai Stone Park (Qianhai, Nanshan)
A seaside park in the Qianhai free-trade zone, covering about 84,600 square metres, with its landmark being a giant yellow wax stone carved with the characters "Qianhai". Inside there are a seaside promenade, a man-made beach and large lawns, with 270-degree sea views and sunsets. It draws fewer crowds than other seaside parks — bring a picnic mat and spend a whole afternoon here.
- Area: Qianwan 1st Road, Nanshan District (Qianhai Free Trade Zone)
- Transport: Metro Line 5, Guiwan Station, Exit E, about a 10-minute walk
- Opening hours: Daily 06:00–23:00
- Admission: Free entry
- Nearby: Qianhai Uniwalk and the Bay Glory Ferris wheel are within walking distance
3. Qianhai Uniwalk (Bao'an)
Bao'an District's largest flagship mall, with over 300,000 square metres of floor space split into zones A to E. It has a large supermarket, a cinema, an indoor playground and more than a hundred restaurants, plus plenty of first-to-market brands. On a rainy day or when it's too hot, you can easily spend a whole day here; parking is ¥10 for the first hour, then ¥5 per hour, capped at ¥60 per day.
- Area: 99 Xinhu Road, Bao'an District
- Transport: Metro Line 1 / Line 5, Bao'an Center Station, Exit F, about a 5-minute walk
- Opening hours: 10:00–22:00 (restaurants vary by shop)
- Admission: Free entry
- Tip: Parking is tight on weekends — the metro is easier than driving
4. Huafa Qianhai Ice and Snow World (Bao'an) — the world's largest indoor ski resort
A large indoor ice and snow venue in Qianhai, specialising in year-round indoor skiing, with a professional slope about 463 metres long and a snow-play area. Even if you can't ski, you can ride snow tubes and try snow activities. The venue runs on a reservation system, and peak season (weekends and holidays) sells out fast — book several days ahead.
- Area: Qianhai area, Bao'an District
- Transport: Metro Line 5, Qianwan Station / Linhai Station, then about a 10-minute taxi ride
- Opening hours: Generally 10:00–22:00, with timed entry slots; subject to the official booking page
- Admission: Ski tickets and snow-play tickets are separate; equipment is either charged separately or included — subject to the latest official notice
- Tip: It's below zero inside, so be sure to bring thick socks, gloves and long trousers; renting ski gear on site usually requires a deposit
5. Bao'an Xiwan Mangrove Park (Bao'an)
A mangrove park along the Bao'an coastline, best known for a red steel structure called "Yunfan Bridge". At sunset you can photograph the bridge, the sea and planes all at once — one of Shenzhen's hottest photo spots in recent years. The park runs several kilometres, so you can cycle or stroll along it.
- Area: Gushu seaside, Xixiang Subdistrict, Bao'an District
- Transport: Metro Line 1, Pingzhou Station or Xixiang Station, then about a 10-minute taxi ride
- Opening hours: Open all day; arrive about 1 hour before sunset
- Admission: Free
6. Sea World (Shekou, Nanshan) — exotic nightlife next to Qianhai
A landmark commercial district converted from the "Minghua" cruise ship. Around the ship are bars, restaurants and an open-air plaza, with a musical fountain at night and eateries from many countries — one of Shenzhen's most established bar districts. It's only a few metro stops from Qianhai, perfect for dinner after a day of sightseeing.
- Area: Wanghai Road, Shekou, Nanshan District
- Transport: Metro Line 2 / Line 12, Sea World Station, Exit A
- Opening hours: The district is open all day; bars and restaurants generally 11:00 to 2:00
- Admission: Free entry
How to plan a one-day trip? Two route options
| Time | Route A (photos and shopping) | Route B (family fun) |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Clear customs at Shenzhen Bay Port → Line 13 to Line 5 to Linhai Station | Clear customs at Shenzhen Bay Port → taxi to Qianhai Ice and Snow World |
| 10:30–12:30 | Happy Harbor: Ferris wheel + seaside promenade | Indoor skiing / snow play (about 2 hours) |
| 12:30–14:00 | Lunch at Happy Harbor mall | Lunch at Uniwalk + supermarket run |
| 14:00–17:00 | Shopping at Qianhai Uniwalk (supermarket, cinema) | Fly kites on the lawn at Qianhai Stone Park |
| 17:00–19:00 | Sunset at Qianhai Stone Park | Indoor playground at Uniwalk |
| After 19:00 | Metro back to Shenzhen Bay Port, or dinner at Sea World | Dinner and fountain show at Sea World |
FAQ
Do you need tickets for Happy Harbor?
Entry to the park is free; only the Ferris wheel and certain venues charge. Ferris wheel prices fluctuate by weekday/weekend and channel — check the official ticketing platform or on-site price. It closes in typhoons and heavy fog.
What's the easiest way to get to Qianhai and Bao'an?
After clearing customs at Shenzhen Bay Port, take Line 13 into the city and transfer to Line 1 or Line 5; you can also take a taxi directly, about 20 to 30 minutes to Happy Harbor. From Liantang or Futian Port you'll need more transfers.
Do I need to bring my own gear for the indoor ski resort?
Not necessarily. The venue generally rents out snow jackets, snow trousers, snow boots and more, but thick socks, gloves and thermal underwear are best brought yourself — buying on site is pricier. Entry requires a reservation; in peak season book at least 3 days ahead.
How many attractions can you fit into one day?
Aim for 3, up to 4. Happy Harbor, Qianhai Stone Park and Uniwalk are close together and can be done in sequence; the Ice and Snow World needs at least 3 hours; Xiwan Mangrove Park is best saved for last to catch the sunset.
Practical tips
- Rely on the metro: Lines 1, 5, 11 and 12 already cover the main attractions in this area; taxis get stuck in peak-hour traffic
- Check the weather: Typhoon season in summer affects the Ferris wheel and seaside promenades — check the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory forecast before you go
- Payment: Large malls all accept WeChat Pay / Alipay (the Hong Kong version linked to a Hong Kong card works too); for small shops it's best to have a mainland wallet
- Reservations: Both the Ice and Snow World and the Ferris wheel require booking in peak season; buying tickets early saves an hour of queuing
- Sunset times: In Shenzhen the sun sets around 19:00 in summer and around 17:45 in winter — arrive early at Xiwan Mangrove Park
This article was compiled from official announcements by each venue, official Shenzhen Metro station information and Hong Kong media reports (verified September 2026). Ticket prices, opening hours and reservation rules may change — please refer to the venues' latest official announcements before you go.
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