In a little over four decades since its official designation as such, the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has undergone a remarkable transformation from a humble Hakka fishing village, primarily known for salt production, to a Unesco-designated “City of Design”. Served by a well-established subway network, this dynamic city in the Greater Bay Area is well worth a weekend visit (or longer) to experience its ever-evolving nature.  

What to do

Nantou Ancient City

Shenzhen isn’t just obsessed with contemporary trends – it also has a wealth of history. The project of Nantou Ancient City  has revitalised a 1,700-year-old town, transforming it into a lively cultural and creative hub that makes for a leisurely half-day outing. Here, you’ll find historic buildings such as the former Xin’an County Courthouse and Dongguan Assembly Hall transformed into exhibition spaces. Also, don’t miss the letterpress printing concept store Zizai or the hand-drip coffee shop Geisha Only, along with other indie boutiques that have been revitalised by a new generation of architects.  

How to get there: take Metro Line 12 to reach Nantou Ancient City station.  

Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning 

To encounter Shenzhen’s most iconic architectural and artistic marvels, head to the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in Futian. Designed by Austrian architects Coop Himmelb(l)au, the museum is constructed with attention-grabbing reflective glass pieces and flowing lines. The gigantic mirrored installation “Cloud” divides the exhibition hall into two sections: the Contemporary Art Museum on the right and the Urban Planning Museum on the left, the latter of which can be accessed for free.  

How to get there: take the Metro Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station and take Exit A2. 

Ziji Space 

Teahouses have gained popularity in Shenzhen in recent years among younger generations. Ziji Space in Futian (字己空間) mixes tea tasting with artistic pursuits. The three-in-one package (starting from RMB128) includes tea, desserts and calligraphy materials. Put down your phone, pick up a brush, and set about inking characters. 

How to get there: located near Children’s Palace Station, Exit D.

Zhongzhou Bay C Future City 

For shopping and leisure with a sci-fi spin, look to Zhongzhou Bay C Future City. This expansive complex, which opened last year, is designed as a “future city” incorporating art, technology and nature. Inside, cool light installations and designer flagships make for a futuristic shopping experience. Explore the mall’s different levels and marvel at the exclusive works by creative studios such as art collective TeamLab and Patrick Blanc, the French visionary and “father of vertical gardens”. 

How to get there: get off at Metro Line 9 Xiasha Station and walk for about 25 minutes. 

What to eat 

Hakka Yu  

Hakka people were among the first ethnic groups to settle in the area, so Hakka cuisine – known for its savoury, aromatic and indulgent dishes – has deep roots here. Hakka Yu , which has several branches across the city, is a standout venue: visit the Coastal City branch to try the classic shredded salt-baked chicken, which evokes the city’s salt production heritage. The rich hearty Hakka pork soup will leave you craving more.  

How to get there: Reach the restaurant by taking Metro Line 2 to Houhai Station and exiting through D1.  

The Bay by Chef Fei 

For a lavish dining experience, allow yourself the pleasure of a meal at The Bay by Chef Fei , a modern Cantonese restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen). The flaxseed crispy chicken, renowned for its crunchy skin and tender meat, is the star dish. The menu changes with the season; this summer, find delicacies such as tossed whelk with palm heart, boiled fish tofu with bitter gourd in broth, and sweet pear soup with tangerine peel.  

How to get there: Take the Metro Line 10 and walk from Exit E of Donggualing Station.

Street Food 

To truly experience real Shenzhen, a nocturnal visit to Yantian Street Night Market, the city's largest, is a must. Stretching along a 400m street, this bustling market comprises nearly 100 food stalls. Sample Changsha stinky tofu, Chaoshan beef offal or Sichuan bobo chicken, and soak up the buzz that bubbles up after sunset. 

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 and walk for approximately 10 minutes from Exit A of Xixiang Station.

Getting to Shenzhen from Hong Kong 

Take a high-speed train journey from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Futian Station. The journey time is 15 minutes and adult fares start from HK$76. 

Flying into Hong Kong? You can book Direct Air+Sea, a combined flight and ferry ticket, with us to Shenzhen, as you would any other Cathay Pacific ticket – simply enter "Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port (ZYK)" or "Shenzhen Airport Ferry Terminal (FYG)" as your destination.* Both your flight and ferry will be under one booking, and your baggage will be checked through to your destination. 

Where to stay  

Set within the highest floors of the UpperHills tower, the 178 spacious rooms and suites of the Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen , which opened in 2022, boast amazing views of the city from their floor-to-ceiling windows. A salt crystal ornament hangs in the hotel lobby in a mesmerising homage to the city’s history of salt production, which also embodies the artistic traditions of the hotel brand. Settle into this luxurious urban abode with one of the hotel’s iconic spa treatments. Then spoil your palate at one of the eight distinctive dining venues, and snap perfect golden-hour shots at the MO Bar on the top floor.

*Direct Air+Sea is available for selected routes on our website. For regions where this service is unavailable, please book via a travel agent. If you're departing from Taiwan China, please purchase your ferry tickets separately. We’ll arrange your bags to be checked through when you check in at your departing airport.