Things to do in Shenzhen

Where locals actually go — culture, neighbourhoods, nature and a few hidden gems.

Editor's picks

A local's shortlist — the places worth your time first, each with a tip.

Huaqiangbei electronics markets

Landmark · Futian, central

Several city blocks of multi-storey markets selling every component, tool, module and counterfeit gadget in existence.

Local tip: The ground floors sell finished goods to visitors. The interesting floors are upstairs and at the back — component vendors, repair benches and prototype shops, where the people who actually build things go. Bring a specific part number and you will be astonished at what happens next.

Shekou & Sea World

Neighborhood · Western Nanshan, on the bay

The original foreign enclave — a former industrial port turned into a waterfront district of bars, restaurants and international schools around a beached cruise ship.

Local tip: Shekou is where most of Shenzhen's foreign residents landed first and many never left. The ferry terminal here runs directly to Hong Kong airport, which is genuinely the fastest way to fly long-haul out of Shenzhen.

OCT-LOFT & Nanshan cultural district

Culture · Overseas Chinese Town, Nanshan

A converted 1980s factory complex holding independent bookshops, galleries, design studios and the city's best small music venues.

Local tip: The northern half is the good half — quieter, more studios, fewer chain cafés. The B10 live house here is the most serious independent music room in the Pearl River Delta.

Dongmen Old Street

Food · Luohu, near the Hong Kong border

The closest thing Shenzhen has to an old commercial quarter — dense pedestrian shopping streets and a deep concentration of regional Chinese food.

Local tip: Shenzhen has no native cuisine because it has almost no natives; what it has instead is every provincial cuisine in China cooked by people who grew up eating it. Dongmen is where that is most concentrated — Chaoshan beef hotpot, Hunanese, Northeastern, all within a few streets.

Shenzhen Bay Park & the mangrove reserve

Nature · Nanshan, along the bay facing Hong Kong

A long waterfront park along the bay with Hong Kong's hills directly across the water, and a protected mangrove wetland at its eastern end.

Local tip: The Futian mangrove reserve is on the East Asian–Australasian flyway and takes tens of thousands of migratory birds each winter — black-faced spoonbills among them. Access to the reserve proper is controlled, but the park path beside it gives you most of it for free.

Wutong Mountain & the eastern coast

Hidden gem

Nature · Eastern Shenzhen, Yantian and Dapeng

The city's highest peak at around 944 metres, with the Dapeng peninsula's beaches, coves and a walled Ming garrison town beyond it.

Local tip: Almost every visitor thinks Shenzhen is only towers. Dapeng peninsula, an hour east, has clear water, good coastal walking and Dapeng Fortress — a genuinely old walled town that predates the city around it by four hundred years. Go on a weekday; the beaches are packed at weekends.

Explore 124 places across Shenzhen

Museums, landmarks, monuments, heritage sites and parks — mapped, with photos. The most notable spots first.

Museum · 21Landmark · 8Monument · 7Religious · 15Archaeological · 4Park · 66Attraction · 3Open in OpenStreetMap

Museums & galleries

(21)
Shenzhen MuseumMuseum

Shenzhen Museum

Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

WikipediaLuafuohue · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sam Tung Uk MuseumMuseum

Sam Tung Uk Museum

Museum in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

WikipediaThe original uploader was DavidLam at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Jockey Club Museum of Climate ChangeMuseum

Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change

Museum in Hong Kong

WikipediaHoising · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lantau Link Visitors Centre and Viewing PlatformMuseum

Lantau Link Visitors Centre and Viewing Platform

Museum in Hong Kong

WikipediaHK Arun · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tao Heung Foods of Mankind MuseumMuseum

Tao Heung Foods of Mankind Museum

Museum in Hong Kong

WikipediaChong Fat · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition, ShenzhenMuseum

Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition, Shenzhen

Museum in Futian, Shenzhen

WikipediaTimeahfurm002 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
He Xiangning Art MuseumMuseum

He Xiangning Art Museum

Art museum in Shenzhen, China

WikipediaHuangdan2060 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ping Shan Tang Clan GalleryMuseum

Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery

Museum and former police station in Hong Kong

Quality of life HK · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong KongMuseum

Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Art museum in Chinese University of Hong Kong

WikipediaWpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Hong Kong Museum of EducationMuseum

Hong Kong Museum of Education

Museum in New Territories, Hong Kong, China

WikipediaTksteven · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Nantou Ancient City MuseumMuseum

Nantou Ancient City Museum

Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

WikipediaMx. Granger · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sea World Culture and Arts CenterMuseum

Sea World Culture and Arts Center

Cultural center in Shenzhen, China

Wikipedia李汉宗 (Lhzss8) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Shenzhen Art MuseumMuseum

Shenzhen Art Museum

Art Museum in Longhua, Shenzhen, China

WikipediaLiu Nan · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Museum of EthnologyMuseum

Museum of Ethnology

Museum in Tai Po, Hong Kong

WikipediaChong Fat · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Nanshan MuseumMuseum

Nanshan Museum

Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong

WikipediaKWUNGAM Haueng Chanem · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
National Education CentreMuseum

National Education Centre

Museum in Tai Po

Chong Fat · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Guan Shanyue Art MuseumMuseum

Guan Shanyue Art Museum

Art museum in Futian, Shenzhen

mengyeyue · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Zhongying Street Historical MuseumMuseum

Zhongying Street Historical Museum

Museum in Shenzhen, China

Tksteven · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Museum

Yi Tai Study Hall

Museum.

Museum

Shenzhen Industrial Museum

福田区

Museum in 福田区.

Museum

Wangye Museum

Museum.

Landmarks & architecture

(8)
Lantau LinkLandmark

Lantau Link

Road and rail crossing comprising bridges and viaducts, between Tsing Yi and Lantau in Hong Kong

WikipediaMinghong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Rambler Channel BridgeLandmark

Rambler Channel Bridge

Bridge in People's Republic of China

WikipediaWiNG · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Hau Tei SquareLandmark

Hau Tei Square

Street in Hong Kong

姒姓賢寧 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Po Heung BridgeLandmark

Po Heung Bridge

Bridge in Tai Po

Exploringlife · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The University MallLandmark

The University Mall

Square in The Chinese University of Hong Kong

建園春秋 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Landmark

Shing Mun Redoubt

Fort.

Landmark

萊洞 Loi Tung

Historic city gate.

Landmark

Ma Liu Shui San Tsuen

Historic city gate.

Monuments & memorials

(7)
Goddess of DemocracyMonument

Goddess of Democracy

Sculpture in Hong Kong honoring Chinese pro-democracy movement

WikipediaMarsmanRom & Isa Ng · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Spring Breeze PavilionMonument

Spring Breeze Pavilion

Memorial pavilion in Hong Kong

Tksteven · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Reunification Memorial PillarMonument

Reunification Memorial Pillar

Memorial in Hong Kong

姒姓賢寧 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Monument

Lai Tau Shek

Historic site.

Monument

College Sign

Public artwork.

Monument

Deng Xiaoping Statue

Public artwork.

Monument

The 30th Anniversary Garden of the Establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone

Memorial.

Places of worship

(15)
Shenzhen MosqueReligious

Shenzhen Mosque

Mosque in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Wikipedia鱼头炮 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Yuen Yuen InstituteReligious

Yuen Yuen Institute

Temple in Hong Kong

WikipediaUser:Ahleong · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fan Sin TempleReligious

Fan Sin Temple

Building in Hong Kong, China

WikipediaChong Fat · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Church of Christ in China Kei Long CollegeReligious

Church of Christ in China Kei Long College

Secondary school and church building in Hong Kong, China

WikipediaExploringlife · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Christian Shenzhen ChurchReligious

Christian Shenzhen Church

Church in Shenzhen

WikipediaHuangdan2060 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
St. Thomas The Apostle ChurchReligious

St. Thomas The Apostle Church

Church in Hong Kong

WiNG · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
St. Jerome's Church (Hong Kong)Religious

St. Jerome's Church (Hong Kong)

Religious in Shenzhen.

Prosperity Horizons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ss. Peter and Paul ChurchReligious

Ss. Peter and Paul Church

Roman Catholic church in Hong Kong

姒姓賢寧 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
St. Joseph's Church, FanlingReligious

St. Joseph's Church, Fanling

Roman Catholic church in Hong Kong

Underwaterbuffalo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Crown of Thorns' ChurchReligious

Crown of Thorns' Church

Church

WikipediaNgckmax · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Christ the King Church, ShenzhenReligious

Christ the King Church, Shenzhen

Church in Guangdong, China

WikipediaHuangdan2060 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
CCC Chuen Yuen ChurchReligious

CCC Chuen Yuen Church

Religious in Shenzhen.

Mk2010 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsung Kyam ChurchReligious

Tsung Kyam Church

Church building in Hong Kong

Chong Fat · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Cheng Hon Pang Ancestral HallReligious

Cheng Hon Pang Ancestral Hall

Ancestral hall and former church in Hong Kong

Chong Fat · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Religious

God of Well

Place of worship.

Heritage & archaeology

(4)
Archaeological

PB401

Historic ruins.

Archaeological

Lin Fa Shan Public School

Historic ruins.

Archaeological

PB403

Historic ruins.

Archaeological

WWII

Historic ruins.

Parks & nature

(66)
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic GardenPark

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

Botanical garden in Hong Kong

WikipediaChong Fat · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tai Po Waterfront ParkPark

Tai Po Waterfront Park

Public park in Tai Po, Hong Kong

WikipediaWiNG · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fairylake Botanical GardenPark

Fairylake Botanical Garden

Archive organization in Shenzhen, China

WikipediaHuangdan2060 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lianhuashan ParkPark

Lianhuashan Park

Park in Shenzhen

Wikipediajo.sau from London/Vilnius, UK/Lithuania · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ma Wan ParkPark

Ma Wan Park

Park in Hong Kong

WikipediaWiNG · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tin Shui Wai ParkPark

Tin Shui Wai Park

Park in New Territories, Hong Kong

WikipediaWiNG · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
East Lake ParkPark

East Lake Park

Park in Luohu District, People's Republic of China

WikipediaHuangdan2060 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lok Ma Chau GardenPark

Lok Ma Chau Garden

Public park and lookout in Hong Kong

Senkaku Islands · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Yuen Shin ParkPark

Yuen Shin Park

Park beside Yuen Shin Road in Tai Po

Chong Fat · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Ma On Shan ParkPark

Ma On Shan Park

Public park in Ma On Shan, Hong Kong

WikipediaThe original uploader was Chong Fat at Chinese Wikipedia. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
North District ParkPark

North District Park

Public park in Sheung Shui, Hong Kong

WikipediaWing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsing Yi ParkPark

Tsing Yi Park

Public park in Tsing Yi, Hong Kong

WikipediaWiNG · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kwai Chung ParkPark

Kwai Chung Park

Park in Kwai Chung

WikipediaWpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsing Yi Northeast ParkPark

Tsing Yi Northeast Park

Public park in Tsing Yi, Hong Kong

WikipediaMk2010 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Shenzhen Bay ParkPark

Shenzhen Bay Park

Urban park in Shenzhen, China

WikipediaMx. Granger · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Honghu ParkPark

Honghu Park

Park in Luohu District, People's Republic of China

WikipediaHuangdan2060 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsing Yi PromenadePark

Tsing Yi Promenade

Promenade on Tsing Yi Island

WikipediaCC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsuen Wan ParkPark

Tsuen Wan Park

Public park in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

WikipediaWiNG · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tuen Mun ParkPark

Tuen Mun Park

Park in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong

WikipediaWing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Yuen Long ParkPark

Yuen Long Park

Major park in Yuen Long, Hong Kong

WikipediaBaycrest · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Sai Lau Kok GardenPark

Sai Lau Kok Garden

Urban public park in Hong Kong

WikipediaAndrew Martin · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Jockey Club Tak Wah ParkPark

Jockey Club Tak Wah Park

Urban public park in Hong Kong

Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsuen Wan Riviera ParkPark

Tsuen Wan Riviera Park

Park in Tsuen Wan

Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Yuen Chau Tsai ParkPark

Yuen Chau Tsai Park

Public urban park in Hong Kong

Wpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Shing Mun Valley ParkPark

Shing Mun Valley Park

Park in Shing Mun Valley

Wpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tai Ming Lane SquarePark

Tai Ming Lane Square

Square in Hong Kong

Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tai Po Old Market PlaygroundPark

Tai Po Old Market Playground

Public park and playground in Tai Po

Prosperity Horizons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Man Tin Cheung ParkPark

Man Tin Cheung Park

Public park in Hong Kong

Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Mui Shue Hang PlaygroundPark

Mui Shue Hang Playground

Public park in Hong Kong

Chong Fat · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fanling Recreation GroundPark

Fanling Recreation Ground

Recreation ground in Fanling

Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fanling Hong Lok ParkPark

Fanling Hong Lok Park

Urban park in Hong Kong

Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Shek Yam Lei Muk Road ParkPark

Shek Yam Lei Muk Road Park

Urban park in Hong Kong

Prosperity Horizons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tin Sau Road ParkPark

Tin Sau Road Park

Park in Tin Shui Wai

Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tai Wong Ha PlaygroundPark

Tai Wong Ha Playground

Playground in Tsing Yi

Tombus20032000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tuen Mun Riverside ParkPark

Tuen Mun Riverside Park

Park in Tuen Mun

Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Mouse Island Children's PlaygroundPark

Mouse Island Children's Playground

Children's playground in Tuen Mun

水水 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kwai Chung San Kui ParkPark

Kwai Chung San Kui Park

Park in Kwai Chung

WiNG · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Butterfly Beach ParkPark

Butterfly Beach Park

Public park in Hong Kong

Wpcpey · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tin Yip Road ParkPark

Tin Yip Road Park

Urban park and sports venue in Hong Kong

Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Dragon ParkPark

Dragon Park

Park in Yuen Long

Owennson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ma Wo Road GardenPark

Ma Wo Road Garden

Garden in Tai Po

Tombus20032000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Yat Ming Road ParkPark

Yat Ming Road Park

Park in Hong Kong

Owennson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Nina ParkPark

Nina Park

Park in Hong Kong

WikipediaSanmosa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo ParkPark

Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park

Park in Futian District, People's Republic of China

WikipediaHuangdan2060 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tuen Mun Cultural SquarePark

Tuen Mun Cultural Square

Square in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong

No machine-readable author provided. TUmuMATo assumed (based on copyright cla… · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Lizhi ParkPark

Lizhi Park

Park in Shenzhen

Dinkun Chen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
San Wan Road GardenPark

San Wan Road Garden

Garden in Sheung Shui

luftwright @ Mapillary · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wu King Road GardenPark

Wu King Road Garden

Garden in

姒姓賢寧 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fan Leng Lau Road PlaygroundPark

Fan Leng Lau Road Playground

Urban public park in Hong Kong

Wpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fan Ling Wai PlaygroundPark

Fan Ling Wai Playground

Urban park and sports venue in Hong Kong

Wpcpey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fung Kwan Street GardenPark

Fung Kwan Street Garden

Garden in Yuen Long

Tombus20032000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kwai Shing Circuit PlaygroundPark

Kwai Shing Circuit Playground

Urban park and sports venue in Hong Kong

Tombus20032000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kwok Shui Road ParkPark

Kwok Shui Road Park

Park in Tai Wo Hau, Hong Kong

Blclkpfooda mbaop6 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kwong Fuk ParkPark

Kwong Fuk Park

Public park in Tai Po

luftwright @ Mapillary · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lam Tei Pet GardenPark

Lam Tei Pet Garden

Pet garden in Tuen Mun

Tombus20032000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Pak Lam Road GardenPark

Pak Lam Road Garden

Garden in Hong Kong

Underwaterbuffalo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ping Pak Lane ParkPark

Ping Pak Lane Park

Park in Ping Shan

Tombus20032000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Shek Pai Street ParkPark

Shek Pai Street Park

Park in Shek Lei

kaartcam @ Mapillary · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sheung Tsuen ParkPark

Sheung Tsuen Park

Public park in Hong Kong

Chong Fat · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tin Ha Road PlaygroundPark

Tin Ha Road Playground

Playground in Hong Kong

姒姓賢寧 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tin Pak Road ParkPark

Tin Pak Road Park

Park in Tin Shui Wai

Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsuen King Circuit GardenPark

Tsuen King Circuit Garden

Urban public park in Hong Kong

圍棋一級 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsuen King Circuit Recreation Ground and Rest GardenPark

Tsuen King Circuit Recreation Ground and Rest Garden

Rest garden in Tsuen King Wai

Tatgowicetuk Simqe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tsuen Wan Tin Hau Temple GardenPark

Tsuen Wan Tin Hau Temple Garden

Garden in Tsuen Wan

Shaihoga Hsum · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Cheung Wan Street Rest GardenPark

Cheung Wan Street Rest Garden

Rest garden in Tsing Yi

CK ALAN Lam Tsui · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Circle ParkPark

Circle Park

Park in Tsuen Wan

kaartcam @ Mapillary · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

More to explore

(3)
Attraction

Meridian View Center

罗湖区

Viewpoint in 罗湖区.

Attraction

Old Well

Visitor attraction.

Attraction

Dragon Valley

Viewpoint.

Data from Wikidata (CC0) & OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Images via Wikimedia Commons — see each credit. Listings are community-maintained and may be incomplete or out of date — verify hours and access before visiting.

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