We spent five days in Shenzhen. Though it’s one of the largest cities in China, we believe it’s not among its most attractive ones. Sure, there is some interesting contemporary architecture, outstanding parks, and delicious food, but the fact that it lacks history is more than evident.
Shenzhen has fantastic hotels, so the only real challenge is choosing the best area to stay. We stayed in Luohu, which was a great decision. It was easy to move around, and we got to see the best of Shenzhen. Two other districts are also worth staying in: Futian and Nanshan.
Luohu District
To us, Luohu is the best district to stay in Shenzhen. This is the city’s oldest area, right next to the main border crossing with Hong Kong. People’s Park, Dongmen Pedestrian Street, and Luohu Commercial City are all here.
The best areas in Luohu are the one next to the Luohu border crossing (Luohu Commercial City) and the one close to Dongmen Pedestrian Street. They both offer plenty of shopping and dining facilities, and many metro lines converge here.
Stay in Luohu if you are into food and affordable shopping.
We Recommend These Hotels in Luohu:
Shangri-La
For us, it was easy to choose Shangri-La Shenzhen. We were coming from Hong Kong by metro, and we literally walked to the hotel. It’s a classic luxury hotel with a superb spa and great mountain views. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate any of our needs. We loved the food court in the underground area next to Shenzhen Railway Station.
Hyatt Place Shenzhen Dongmen
Initially, we were also considering staying at Hyatt Place Shenzhen Dongmen because of its location by the Dongmen Pedestrian area. But we are in love with the Shangri-La brand, thus our decision. That said, this is a fantastic 4-star property, with modern rooms, a 24-hour gym, and self-service washing machines.
Futian District
Futian is Shenzhen’s central business and administrative district. The city center is a small area around Citizen Square. Lianhuashan, the city’s nicest park, Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen’s tallest building, and Huaqiangbei, a major electronics hub, are in Futian.
Futian is a very large district, so make sure to choose the right location. Most international hotels are around COCO Park, the city’s nicest shopping mall. As you know, Shenzhen is not an old city, and the best places to hang out are its malls. Another good area is close to Huaqiangbei Commercial Street.
Stay in Futian if you are into shopping and elegant bars and restaurants.
We Recommend These Hotels in Futian:
Crowne Plaza Shenzhen Futian
We went to COCO Park almost every day. One building that attracted our attention was the tall Crowne Plaza Shenzhen Futian, 200 meters (650 feet) from the mall. Its recently refurbished rooms offer phenomenal views, and there’s a gym, an open-air swimming pool, and a Japanese restaurant on site.
Fraser Suites Shenzhen
If you prefer staying closer to Huaqiangbei Commercial Street, Fraser Suites Shenzhen is your best option. They offer some of the best-serviced apartments in downtown Shenzhen. There’s a fitness center, steam and sauna rooms, and a rooftop infinity pool.
Nanshan District
Nanshan is a much newer district currently undergoing expansion. It is the center of the high-tech industry and home to all of Shenzhen’s theme parks. We chose not to visit any of the theme parks, but we did love Shenzhen Bay Park, the recently opened Shenzhen Bay Culture Square, and the pedestrian Haide 2nd Road.
The best area to stay in Nanshan is between Shenzhen Bay Culture Square and the elevated pedestrian Haide 2nd Road. Some of the best shopping and dining facilities in Shenzhen are here. Another nice area is around the OCT Creative Culture Park.
Stay in Nanshan if you are into art and luxury.
We Recommend These Hotels in Nanshan:
Kempinski Hotel
Kempinski Hotel is right on the pedestrian street. The famous drone food delivery station is directly in front of it. Its spacious rooms come with nice views, there are three restaurants on site, and there’s a fully equipped spa with a sauna and indoor pool.
Gleetour Hotel Shenzhen Oct-Loft
The Gleetour Hotel Shenzhen Oct-Loft is right in the heart of the OCT LOFT Creative Culture Park, Shenzhen’s only art district. All of its well-appointed rooms come with a seating area, and some even have kitchens. All major theme parks are nearby.
How Many Days in Shenzhen
Shenzhen might be China’s number one manufacturing hub, but it’s not its most beautiful city. That said, it does offer some interesting walks, great food, contemporary architecture, and even art. Besides, it hosts some of the nicest urban parks in China.
You can visit Shenzhen’s main attractions in just 2 days. You’ll need one day to explore Futian and another day to visit the pedestrian areas in Luohu and Nanshan. If you have extra time, go to the beach. Dameisha is the easiest one to visit, but Xichong is the most beautiful one. You can also take a day trip to Guangzhou (though it deserves more days) or Kaiping.
