Tired of always going to Futian and Luohu? Try switching it up in Nanshan Shekou — this is the area in Shenzhen with the most "seaside resort vibes": in recent years, K11 ECOAST has become the landmark art mall here, flanked by the pure-white garden district Prince Bay Garden City and the classic landmark Sea World. Stroll along one route and you can eat, shop, play, and take in sea views — a chill way to spend the day.
Stop 1: K11 ECOAST — An Art Mall Like a "Giant Ship" Docked by the Sea
K11 ECOAST is the first flagship project in mainland China under the K11 Group, part of Hong Kong's New World Development. Located in Prince Bay, Nanshan Shekou, it began soft opening in April 2025. The entire project was designed by teams including Dutch architecture firm OMA and Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, and its exterior resembles a giant ship docked by the sea. With a total floor area of around 230,000 square meters, it's even larger than K11 MUSEA in Hong Kong.
- Photo spots: The Promenade waterfront walkway incorporates light art installations and offers distant views of Hong Kong; on the rooftop of the south wing, there's a "Pearl of the Sea" floating garden.
- Art space: K11 HACC is an independent art museum. Its opening exhibition features Chinese contemporary artist Lu Yang, showcasing digital video and AI interactive works, with rotating exhibitions to follow.
- Food and shopping: The mall brings together over a hundred brands, including coffee shops like % Arabica and M Stand, as well as eco-lifestyle store slowood and Shenzhen's first HAIR by IL COLPO.
- Getting there: Take Shenzhen Metro Line 12 to Prince Bay Station, Exit B, for direct access; from Hong Kong, you can also take a high-speed ferry to Shekou Cruise Homeport and then connect by shuttle.
Stop 2: Prince Bay Garden City VILLA — A Pure-White Garden District
Right next to K11 ECOAST is Prince Bay Garden City VILLA — a waterfront garden-style district that opened on May 30, 2026 (covering around 15,000 square meters). Inspired by the concept of "mountains, sea, and city," it features pure-white architecture, greenery, and a coastline. Eight buildings form an open-plan district housing more than 50 dining and retail brands. Strolling through here at dusk with the sea breeze blowing makes for great photos and gives off strong seaside-town vibes from abroad. Together with Sea World, these two projects make a perfect half-day itinerary at a leisurely pace.
Stop 3: Sea World — The Minghua Ship Landmark Plus Seafood and Bar Street
Sea World is Shekou's most iconic landmark: at its heart is the decommissioned cruise liner Minghua Ship (now home to restaurants and a hotel), surrounded by the Sea World Culture and Arts Center, a musical fountain plaza, and an entire street of seafood restaurants and bars. The atmosphere is especially lively at night. From K11 ECOAST or Prince Bay, you can take Line 12 (Prince Bay Station → Sea World Station) or grab a ride — it's very convenient. If you want to catch the sunset, walk along the waterfront promenade near Nüwa Coastal Park, where the views are wide open.
Route Suggestion: A Day Trip from Hong Kong
- Option A (by ferry): Take a high-speed ferry from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan to Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Homeport (about 50 minutes) → connect by shuttle to reach Sea World / Prince Bay in under 10 minutes. This is the most comfortable option and lets you avoid the crowds at land border checkpoints.
- Option B (by land): Cross the border at Shenzhen Bay Port → take a ride, bus, or metro to Shekou (about 20–30 minutes).
- Suggested itinerary: Lunch at Sea World (seafood street / international restaurants to choose from) → afternoon at K11 ECOAST for exhibitions and coffee → dusk at Prince Bay Garden City VILLA plus the waterfront promenade for sunset → evening back at Sea World for dinner or drinks at a bar → return to Hong Kong the same way.
A day trip to Shekou is perfect for anyone looking to relax, take photos, and eat well — especially for friend groups and couples on a weekend getaway. A quick note: K11 ECOAST's opening hours are generally around 10:00–22:00, but exhibitions and some restaurants may have different hours, so be sure to check the official channels before you head out.
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