How To Spend 4 Fun Days In Shenzhen, China

Planning on visiting Shenzhen for a few days? Or maybe you’re looking for a long weekend escape from Hong Kong. Either way, there’s plenty to do in town.

Sure, you won’t find centuries-old buildings or structures spanning dynasties as you would in other popular destinations in China, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy yourself in SZ.

Often seen as an alternative home base for Hong Kong, Shenzhen offers perks like authentic dim sum (that many argue is even better than HK’s), food that’s delicious and budget-friendly, and spacious accommodations that are easier on the wallet.

On weekends, it transforms into a haven for Hong Kongers looking to shop till they drop, indulge in affordable massages, and escape the chaos of HK life. Families flock here for its top-tier theme parks and unique cultural experiences too.

Whether you’re here for the amazing food, all the cheap shopping, luxurious-yet-affordable spa culture, or family-friendly attractions, this 4-day Shenzhen itinerary will help you make the most of your trip.

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What To Know To Make Sense Of This Shenzhen Travel Guide

• Dazhong Dianping = the Yelp of China. Get the app so you can read reviews for establishments, see star ratings and pictures, and get the addresses of the places I recommend in this guide.
• Many of the places in this guide have multiple locations. If the spot I’m recommending is far from where you’ll be staying, search to see if there’s a closer location.
• Looking up addresses is tough when you’re abroad. I did most of my research once I touched down in China and had access to Apple Maps (China version). FYI, Google Maps is barely usable for Shenzhen planning (as well as the rest of China).
• Get familiarized with how China works before diving into this travel guide. Here are 30 essential things to know about China before your trip.

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DAY 1 IN SHENZHEN: Shopping, Massages, and Dining

Experience what HK’ers flood to Shenzhen for — shopping, spa time, and cheap eats!

Shopping in Futian District

Shopping is a major part of the culture in Shenzhen, especially in the Futian and Nanshan areas. For this itinerary, we’ll focus on Futian, which is also where we recommend first-timers stay during their trip.

Futian is home to some of the city’s best shopping destinations, including COCO Park, AvenueOne Mall, and InTown, all offering a healthy mix of retail, dining, and entertainment. You’ll also find plenty of cafes, bakeries, and dessert shops to refuel between shopping sprees.

👉 Pro Tip: When planning out your Shenzhen itinerary, you don’t really need to pre-plan where to eat. Yes, you should have a list of your top 3 must-eat spots, but even if you leave the rest of your meals unplanned, you won’t have trouble finding a good spot to eat. There are SO many good restaurants to choose from. And it’s not all Chinese food! You’ll find tons of international names too.

Get a cheap yet ultra-luxurious massage

When in Shenzhen, take advantage of the cheapness by opting for a spa treatment. Spas in SZ are built different — a lot of them come with free food and a free place to sleep overnight. Crazy, right?

We went to Yijing Aromatic Spa, a spa chain (the Meilin location), because we wanted to experience the free dinner buffet that came with our treatments. Yep, you read that right. A FREE meal with your massage!

For $56 all-in, we got 90-minute massages complete with a gong sound bath, aromatherapy, hot medicine balls, and I even got my intestines massaged. (Weird but oddly satisfying.)

The experience also comes with a dinner buffet with unlimited drinks, as well as made-to-order sesame rice balls, red bean soup, and noodles. You can even sleep there overnight (if you spend at least 269 RMB total) with a check-out time of 10am. Insane! 

Note: Not all spas have buffets with actual food. There are lots of them that come with unlimited fruits and refreshments, but some come with full-on meals. Look for those when searching on Dazhong Dianping or YouTube.

Here are a few other spas in Futian that I added to my list of favorites but didn’t get a chance to try out. They’re all rated 4.0+ on Dazhong Dianping:

• Anyu an.spa ($$$) – Located inside AvenueOne Mall, this one is your bougie option. You can enjoy complimentary refreshments and desserts after your treatment.
• TENZ Tangquan Life ($$) – Amazing deals. You could literally spend all day here (and people do)!
  • Example: For under $90, you get to pick one 90-minute massage, then another 45-minute service from options like shoulder or foot massage, ear picking, or even a Russian-style manicure. Access to entertainment areas, a 24-hour bath ticket, and unlimited drinks, fruits, and ice cream are included, too.
• Heat Joy Spa ($) – Part of a well-known Chinese spa chain, Heat Joy Spa offers hot springs, massages, foot reflexology, volcanic stone baths, and steam rooms (jade, salt, etc.). Additional facilities include a game room, tea house, and board game area.

👉 Having trouble finding these spas on the web? An alternative is to browse through massage packages offered on Klook here. Everything is in English so it’s much easier to navigate compared to Dazhong Dianping.

Dinner: Eat Guangdong food at Nangxiang

Nangxiang (南乡·精功顺德菜(卓悦中心店)) is a great place to try Cantonese cuisine. It also happens to be one of the most memorable meals we had in SZ.

This food is from the Shunde region of the Guangdong province, known for non-spicy dishes like tofu and fish, both of which came with our set menu.

The tofu dish and the steamed fish (served over a bed of cooked garlic) were simply amazing. To this day, we are still in shock about how they were able to make tofu as flavorful and silky soft as they did…

All in all, every dish we ordered was absolutely delicious. My picky Chinese parents had absolutely no complaints about anything that came out (which is rare) — even the boring veggie dishes were cooked to perfection! We would 100% go back.

Location: Inside OneAvenue Mall (Level 3)

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DAY 2 IN SHENZHEN: Dim Sum and Folk Villages

Day 2 is all about getting to know Shenzhen’s dim sum culture better as well as gaining a deeper appreciation for China’s varied heritage at the Splendid China Cultural Park.

Dim Sum at Dian Dou De

Start your day off with a traditional Cantonese morning tea and a dim sum meal.

This will be the first time you’ll be eating dim sum on this itinerary — don’t worry, we’ll recommend another dim sum spot for you to enjoy on Day 3 too (because one dim sum meal is certainly not enough).

With multiple locations all over town, Dian Dou De is one of Guangdong’s most famous restaurants and a local institution in SZ.

Specializing in traditional yum cha (or dim sum) dishes, the restaurant’s motto translates into “preserving the old Guangzhou yum cha culture”.

We recommend ordering the red rice roll with shrimp (their signature), honeycomb tripe, the Liwan boat porridge, and all the classic faves like ha gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai, steamed chicken feet, steamed spare ribs, and egg tarts.

Once you’re done enjoying your feast of traditional Guangdong dim sum, pay your bill via QR code (or have one of the staff help you settle the bill).

Splendid China Folk Village

This cultural park was by far one of the highlights of my 6 days in Shenzhen!

If you’ve ever had a curiosity about China — all the different ethnic groups that live there and all the famous landmarks that make up the country — Splendid China Folk Village is going to be the perfect excursion for you.

This place gives you a rundown of China’s people and places without feeling like a boring trip to a museum.

As an American-born Chinese, I knew very little about China. Yes, I knew about all the customs and traditions that my family follows; I knew about Shanghai and Hong Kong (where my parents are from) and the Great Wall of China — but outside of that? Total black box.

Splendid China Folk Village is essentially a crash course on all the cool stuff China has to offer. It’s actually China’s first cultural theme park too.

The park is split into two areas: one has 82 mini versions of famous landmarks throughout China and the other is a Folk Culture Village where you can explore life-sized replicas of villages from 56 different ethnic groups.

Both parts of the park are included in your admission.

👉 Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance on Trip.com. Trip.com is one of the only sites that don’t require a Mainland China phone number to buy tickets. Plus, advance purchase tickets are cheaper than buying at the gate.

While the miniature landmarks area is great for getting a lay of the land of China, the Folk Culture Village area is where the fun really happens!

You can wander through the villages, catch live performances, and even jump into hands-on activities. You could spend your entire day roaming around, visiting all the different villages, but don’t get so distracted that you miss the boat ride and the nightly shows!

The New Oriental Neon Costumes show at 5 PM or the Dragon and Phoenix Dance at 7:30 PM are totally worth it!

If you can only make one, make it the Dragon and Phoenix Dance show. There’s dancing, acrobatics, magic, music, lights, high-tech special effects, waterworks — literally the whole shebang — all rolled up into 55 minutes.

The sheer scale of this show is crazy. Expect more than 500 professional actors and more than 1,200 sets of clothing.

You can read more about my experience at Splendid China here. Essential tips for your visit can be found there too!

Dinner: Your Pick!

After your visit to Splendid China, you’ll be in the Nanshan area. You can choose to grab food there or head back to your hotel’s area for dinner.

Not sure where to eat? Just head towards a mall. There will be PLENTY of restaurants to choose from. You can just browse the menus at the entrances and see what piques your interest. Most of the restaurants have pictures of their top dishes.

If you need some pointers, here are some of the restaurants we ate at that I loved:

• Da Ge Fan (COCO Park location) – My mom has been dying to try this Michelin-recommended restaurant. Guangdong people love their pigeon! Besides getting the deep-fried or salt-baked pigeon, their other signature dish — clay pot rice topped with steamed pigeon and black truffles — was also VERY delicious.
• Jingwei Zhang Roast Duck Restaurant (Wongtee Plaza) – We came for one main thing… the Peking duck! Served with a Chinese version of tortillas, cucumber, scallions, sugar, melon, hawthorn, and hoisin sauce.

👉 GET FANCY WITH IT: Another dinner option is to go for a fancy dinner buffet at a luxury hotel in Shenzhen (Four Seasons, JW Marriott, etc.). Things are so cheap in Shenzhen, which means you can enjoy a luxurious all-you-can-eat meal for nearly nothing!

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DAY 3 IN SHENZHEN: Shop And Eat Your Way Thru SZ

Today’s itinerary will focus on the Futian and Luohu areas. With so much to do, these are the two most popular areas to stay in SZ.

See the Shenzhen Eye

Gangxia North Station, also known as the Shenzhen Eye, is just about the coolest architectural marvel in all of Shenzhen.

This futuristic transport hub looks like a giant glowing spaceship from the inside — its sleek geometrical design and bright LED lights make it totally photo-worthy.

Even if you’re not into modern architecture, it’s worth a quick stop for photo ops.

Dim Sum at Fan Lou

Break your fast with yet another dim sum feast at Fan Lou, a local favorite in Huaqiangbei, near Shenzhen’s famous electronics district.

Fan Lou is legendary among both locals and visitors, often considered even better than Hong Kong’s dim sum. We went on a Sunday morning, and it was packed— there were 90 tables ahead of us by 10:30 AM!

We were seated at about 12:30pm. Honestly, the wait wasn’t bad.

With Huaqiangbei’s many malls and electronic shops just steps away, we were able to busy ourselves while we waited for our table. By scanning the QR code on your ticket, you can keep track of how many tables are before you on WeChat.

Pro tip: Get there early or prepare to wait. Must-orders: classic siu mai, ha gow, and their signature red rice shrimp roll. Trust me, you’ll want to order two.

Explore the world of electronics at Huaqiangbei

While you’re waiting for your table at Fan Lou, kill time by exploring Huaqiangbei, the ultimate electronics mecca.

Over 1.5 square kilometers, you’ll find all sorts of shops and buildings housing anything you could ever want when it comes to electronics.

We spent most of our time at the most popular building for goods, SEG Electronics Market.

The first floor houses a variety of electronics (massage guns, smart watches, external batteries, etc.), but as soon as you head up to about the third floor, you’ll enter phone case heaven. They’ve got floors and floors of shops wall-to-wall with quirky phone cases and AirPod cases! You’ll find practical ones too.

Even if you’re not tech-savvy, it’s still an experience to walk through this sprawling district and soak up the local energy.

Luohu Commercial City

Next, hop on the train and head for Luohu Commercial City for some bargain shopping. This is the place to go to get cheap stuff. For us, it was the place to buy prescription glasses and sunglasses for cheap!

This multi-story mall is located right outside the train station next to Luohu Port and is the main place HK locals go for cheap finds. You’ll find everything from electronics, wigs, optical/glasses shops, suitcases, and clothing stores (traditional qipao, tailored suits, fancy dresses, counterfeit things).

Even if you don’t buy anything (I’ll admit, most of the stuff is more geared toward older folks who don’t care about brand names), it’s still an interesting place to experience local life.

I got two things from here — a pair of prescription Gentle Monster sunglasses and a cute traditional Chinese vest.

Visiting with my mom was chaotic but fun—just remember to haggle hard and never take the first price offered.

What else is there to do in Luohu? While you’re in Luohu, you can enjoy another spa treatment and/or grab dinner. Since Luohu is so close to the border of HK, you’ll find a lot of spas, shopping, and restaurants.

This area caters to HKers who are looking to enjoy Shenzhen without having to venture too far from the border. Luohu is also famous for Dongmen Pedestrian Street, below.

Dongmen Pedestrian Street

Wrap up your day at Dongmen Pedestrian Street, Shenzhen’s lively shopping and food hub. This pedestrian area is always busy and happens to be my parents’ favorite area to walk around in Shenzhen.

The main streets are lined with cheap clothing stores, name brand stores, souvenir shops, food stalls, and other quirky finds. You’ll also find China’s first-ever McDonald’s here!

If you’ve got an appetite, try some of the local street snacks like fried dumplings or sugar-coated hawthorn sticks while you explore.

Pro Tip: The best deals are usually on smaller side streets, so don’t just stick to the main drag. You could easily spend hours getting lost in shops along the side streets!

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DAY 4 IN SHENZHEN: Pick and Mix!

By now, you’ve probably got a sense of what kind of traveler you are (or what kind of day you’re in the mood to have for your last day).

Day 4 is all about curating the perfect experience based on what you like doing in a big city. Whether you’re trying to scavenge for the best shopping deals, trying to keep the kids entertained, or itching to explore beyond Shenzhen, here’s a few ideas on what you can do:

For the Shoppers

Shenzhen is a shopping mecca, and we’ve barely just scratched the surface with the malls we’ve covered above. Here are a few other malls that offer a good mix of local brands and international brands:

MixC Shenzhen Bay: This mall is a blend of trendy brands, high-end stores, and local gems. Don’t miss Call Me Panda (a four-story cat-themed wonder), UNDERBOBO (edgy, playful streetwear), and RESIMPLE for unique finds. Bonus: To Summer, my all-time favorite Chinese perfumerie, has a store here. Their scents are inspired by Eastern culture and totally swoon-worthy.

Bantian Vanke Plaza: This mall in the Longgang district feels like stepping into a futuristic yet green oasis. Other than shopping, the highlight here is the architecture with its Avatar-like supertrees reminiscent of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Perfect for photos and retail therapy.

For Family-Friendly Fun

If you’re traveling with kids (or just love a good theme park or zoo yourself), Shenzhen has some great options:

Xiaomeisha Ocean World: A brand new high-tech aquarium and marine animal park that showcases 200+ rare animals and creatures, including terrestrial animals, pinnipeds, cetaceans, birds, fish, etc. The ocean park features mollusk-shaped architecture that houses the world’s largest “blue hole” aquarium.

Shenzhen Safari Park – Open-range zoo featuring unique experiences like a tiger van tour and self-driving electric cars for getting around.

Window to the World: SZ’s largest theme park! This quirky park features mini replicas of global landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids of Giza. It’s great for a mix of sightseeing and silliness.

For a Day Trip Out of Shenzhen

Sometimes you just need a change of scenery, and Shenzhen is perfectly located for some incredible day trips:

Gankeng Ancient Town: Gankeng is one of the top 10 ancient Hakka villages in Shenzhen. Step back in time in this charming, picturesque village known for its preserved architecture and artisan workshops. Originating in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912) of China, Gankeng is both a cultural and scenic day trip.

Macau: A short bus or ferry ride away, Macau offers a fun mash-up of Portuguese and Chinese influences. You’ll find high-end casinos, unique architecture, and great food (egg tarts, anyone?) on this day trip.

Dameisha Beach: Craving some sun and sea? Head to this popular beach for soft sand, crystal-clear water, and a laid-back vibe. The Plank Road in Dameisha Beach is the most famous area in town. At the end of the road is New World Bar, situated next to the famous Everlasting Love Stone. Pro tip: go early to beat the crowds!

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Planning Your Trip To China?

Here are some of our other China travel guides to help you plan an incredible trip:

Shenzhen:

• Where To Stay In Shenzhen, China: 3 Top Areas For Travelers
• Splendid China Folk Village Is Shenzhen’s Cultural Hidden Gem

Hong Kong:

• Go City Hong Kong vs. Klook Pass Hong Kong: Which Is Right For You?
• 3 Perfect Days In Hong Kong: What To See, Do, and Eat
• Hong Kong Disneyland: Is It Worth The Money?
• Lamma Island Day Trip From Hong Kong: 7 Top Things To Do
• Where To Stay In Hong Kong: 4 Trendy Neighborhoods We Love

China In General:

• Preparing For China: 30 Essential Things To Know Before Your Trip
• 7 Must-Have Apps To Help You Survive In China (+ What eSIM To Get)

Other Posts You’ll Love: