■ Overview
Shenzhen is located on the southern tip of the Chinese mainland and on the eastern bank of the Pearl River. The city has a subtropical marine climate with plenty of rain and sunshine. By the end of 2011, there were 10.47 million permanent residents.
The city is the high-tech and manufacturing hub of southern China, home to the world's fourth-busiest container port, and the fourth-busiest airport on the Chinese mainland. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The high-tech, financial services, modern logistics and cultural industries are mainstays of the city. The city has a network of first class public cultural facilities that allow residents to enjoy numerous cultural events.
A picturesque coastal city, Shenzhen is a popular tourist destination in South China and has been listed by the Chinese Government as an Excellent Tourist City. It was named one of the world's 31 must-see tourist destinations in 2010 by The New York Times.
Adapted from Shenzhen Government Online
■ Transportation
Taxis
axis in Shenzhen are plentiful and affordable. Flagfall charge is RMB 10, RMB 2.4/km, plus RMB 3 for fuel surcharge.
Metro
The Shenzhen Metro system offers rapid transport to major business and shopping districts. Most of the stations are built underground and connect directly to shopping malls or commercial buildings.
The metro tickets are priced by the mileage and sections. The fare price = starting price + mileage price (￥1 as the progressive unit). The starting price: ￥2 for the first 4 km. In the mileage price of 4 - 12 km section, it charges ￥1 for 8 km; in 12 - 24 km section, it charges ￥1 for every 6 km; if more than 24 km, it charges ￥1 for every 8 km.
Map of Shenzhen Metro
■ Tourist Attractions
There are more than 100 scenic spots around the city, including theme parks, natural ecological parks, coastal resorts, shopping plazas and historical sites.
Theme Parks
The Window of the World, Splendid China, China Folk Culture Villages, Happy Valley and CITIC Minsk World theme parks are the epitome of a mixture of Chinese and world culture.
Coastal Resorts
Shenzhen has a large number of coastal scenic spots, including Shenzhen Bay, the Mangrove Nature Reserve and a 15-kilometer coastal leisure corridor in the west and Zhongying Street, Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches, Sea World and Dapeng Peninsula in the east. The coastline along the Dapeng Peninsula was named one of the eight most beautiful coasts in China by Chinese National Geography magazine. Shenzhen has more than 20 public beaches, some of which are linked by seaside walkways.
Natural Parks
OCT East, the national ecological resort occupying about 9 square kilometers, aims to provide visitors with an opportunity to escape from the bustle of city life and return to nature. Tourists can also feel tranquility at other places including Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, 944-meter Wutong Mountain, mountainside Hongfa Temple; Shenzhen Evergreen Resort, Waterlands Resort,Guangming Farm, Qiniang Mountain and Fenghuang Mountain.
Historical Sites
Shenzhen is not only a modern city with a history of reform, but also a city with an ancient civilization. New Stone Age ruins found in Xiantouling in Dapeng indicate that humans inhabited the area at least 6,700 years ago. There are more than 40 protected sites containing cultural relics around Shenzhen, including the well-known Zhongying Street, Dapeng Fortress, Qing Dynasty Hakka architecture, Song Dynasty Young Emperor's Tomb and the Tianhou Temple.
Recommended sight-seeing tours of Shenzhen:
