Shenzhen

Teaching and Living in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is fast becoming one of the most important port cities in the world. Much of the worlds cargo was once shipped through Hong Kong but China is turning heads with the incredibly new and fast developing city of Shenzhen. Long reown for it's markets and after-market goods and an ideal day trip across the border from Hong Kong, Shenzhen is now on the map as a commercial destination in China.

It is located in the very south of Guangdong Province and overlooking Hong Kong's north boundary as the gateway to China. This area is commonly referred to as Hong Kong's "backyard" but it was designated as a Special Economy Zone (SEZ) in August 1980 in an effort to attract foreign enterprises and investment. Various concessions and incentives have attracted a diverse population of companies to the city and given Shenzhen one of the highest growth rates in the PRC of young skilled professionals. Many electronics and high technology companies have factories here.

Made in China - contrasts abound when shopping from the high fashion boutiques of newly built malls to local markets in the old sections of town that sell factory overruns. In the old downtown area of Shenzhen, small shops are clustered together and bargaining for your purchases is quite acceptable. As a contrast, International Trade Tower together with Friendship City form a major shopping center where many well-known merchants operate such as the International Trade Department Store, Duty Free Shop, Oriental New World, Tianhong Store and the Japanese Seibu Department Store. These stores carry relatively expensive premium goods and prices are fixed.

The most popular area for Hong Kong residents to take a day trip for shopping and dining is the LoWu Commercial Building, just across the border from the Lowu Railway Station. After clearing Chinese immigration, just turn right and walk across the footbridge to the big white building. Walk past the area selling bus tickets on the ground floor and you will find the big shopping mall filled with five floors of shops where prices are unbelievable, about half the price of factory outlet prices but always check each piece for defects and ask for AAA quality. You can have a tailor on the 5/F make a suit for less than US $100 and Tony at Stall 50A behind the fabrics speaks English. There is an entire jewelry section on the 2/F and Hubang Cui in stall 2G14 speaks English and sells a strand of pearls for about US $5 a strand. They will string any design, length and quality of pearls or jade that you request. For purses, Miss Wang in Shop 18A on the 5/F also speaks English but remember to bargain and be prepared to walk away if you don't get your price. It is likely you will see the identical merchandise at the next stall but remember to compare quality.

The Fabric Center is just behind the Jiang Nan Hotel where there are there is a large market of fabric vendors and tailors. A tailor will sew a made to measure wool suit for approximately US $50 in one day but bring a Chinese speaker because no English is spoken in this market. The area near to Shanghai Hotel on Shennan Road Central, Futian District, is another popular shopping district. Discount stores and specialized markets, such as Electrical Appliance City, are ideal places to buy home appliances, communication equipment and customized computers. Also Zhongying Street, separating Hong Kong and Shenzhen, offers consumers duty free bargains.

There are many young professionals working here that enjoy the active nightlife with nightclubs and karaoke bars to relax from their busy careers.

The influx of money and investment in Shenzhen has created an atmosphere that also attracts many Hong Kong people to the city. There are gambling dens for mahjong, massage parlors, bars and discos. This kind of atmosphere may be fun for some people but it is important to be safe and cautious. The clubs in the larger hotels such as the Grand View Hotel and the Shangri-La Hotel generally attract a better crowd. There is a Hard Rock Cafe on Shennan Road East.

Shenzhen also offers many sports and daytime recreational activities. There are numerous sports clubs, tennis courts, swimming pools, holiday villages and magnificent golf clubs including, CTS own Tycoon Golf Club, Mission Hills Golf Club and Honey Lake Holiday Village. Most of these recreation parks are very well equipped and provide good service and modern equipment.

Shenzhen has a mild sub-tropical climate with an annual average temperature of 22.4°C and an average annual precipitation of 1,948.4 mm. Typhoon season is between May and September though severe storms are rare due to the protection of the surrounding mountains. Southeasterly wind prevails all year round.

Food in Shenzhen

Shenzhen cooking is characterized by its combination of different cooking techniques and fresh ingredients. Particularly popular here is Guangdong style cuisine which is beautifully presented and delicately flavored. There are also many Hunan restaurants but the cooking is less hot and spicy in this city than in its home province. International cuisine is available with Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Korean and Japanese food in restaurants throughout the city and in many of the large hotels.

Places to Go and Things to Do in Shenzhen

China Folk Culture Villages
- China Folk Culture Villages is a living museum paying homage to the nation's 56 diverse ethnic minority groups that captures the essence of the rich Chinese culture coexisting in harmony. It is a large tourist center showcasing folk arts, customs and architecture of China's distinct nationalities recreated in one festive area, the first of its kind in the region.
- There are 24 villages built to scale housing various ethnic Chinese minorities with 'residents' performing their indigenous folk arts and customs to entertain visitors. Many of these villages and houses were designed and built by native people from those provinces of their origin accompanied with elementary objects of their daily life. The handicrafts and souvenirs are imported from those original provinces either bought direct from local families or made to order by local craftsmen.
- It features life-size replicas of 24 villages chosen from areas inhabited by ethnic peoples in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, as well as of twenty or so scenic spots chosen from these areas. Every day, performances of singing, dancing and acrobatics are staged by hundreds of actors and actresses of varying ethnic backgrounds as a brief introduction of the arts, cuisine, customs and habits of China's many ethnic peoples. People can learn about the lifestyle and national folklore of the ethnic groups in China. Visitors will find some 20 well-known scenic spots of China reproduced here in the Villages. Undulating hills, roaring waterfalls, winding streams and racing boats enliven the scenery in the tourist center.
- A grand folk festive celebration will be held each month in the Villages. Grand, romantic, rejoicing and auspicious, these festivities will enable visitors to take in the happy atmosphere of the magnificent occasions and to experience the poetic quality of the life of the Chinese nation.
- China Folk Culture Villages is not an exact reproduction of the real life but an attempt to reflect China's culture as well as fostering tourism with distinctive national features. Local festivals are celebrated throughout the year, the Water-splashing Festival of Dai nationality, Torch Festival of Yi nationality, Lusheng Festival of Miao nationality and Great Temple Fairs of Chinese Nationalities. These celebrations can be regarded as the soul of Chinese arts that are imposing yet poetic. The daily activities culminate in the "Chinese Carnival" extravaganza each night with over 500 of the most talented performers from all over China.
Window of the World
- Window of the World features scaled-down replicas of famous worldwide wonders, historical sites and natural landscape. Native entertainers from these countries perform near the famous sight from their region.
  "Window of the World" is a large tourist site jointly invested by China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited, Shenzhen Overseas City Economic Development Inc and Shenzhen State Industrial Corporation. Guided by a principle to "look over the world, collect their best, respect the history, highlight the key point: and a purpose to "spread & develop the world culture", the developers of "Window the World" invest a total amount of 500 million RMB. There are over 100 fascinating scenic spots on an area of 480,000 m2 with the most prestigious world wonders recreated on a smaller scale of historic relics, ancient ruins and contemporary scenic spots and natural landscapes that come alive with local customs and folklore. There are themed areas dotted around the park, such as "The World Square", "Sculpture Park", " International Street and High-tech District" among others.
- This fun place is a collection of famous world sites in miniature. If you don't have time to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Taj Mahal in Dehli or the Pyramids, then you could see them all (in mini) here in an afternoon! The miniature Niagara Falls are more than 80 meters wide and over 10 meters deep and the noise of the water rushing here is deafening.
- The collection is divided into various parts classified by continents and nations and there are a total of 118 scenic spots. There are also restaurants and bars on the International Street to sample food and drink from France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Russia, Japan, Thailand, and Korea. There are some tourist shops too, selling all kinds of souvenirs from destinations throughout the world.
- Transportation: Take the No.101 bus or a minibus from the Railway station.
- Cost: RMB100
Honey Lake Holiday Village
- The Honey Lake Holiday Village lies in the west of Shenzhen. The Village is a collection of accommodation buildings and gardens and a huge entertainment park. The accommodation here is scattered about the quiet and pleasant grounds, sheltered by trees and flowers.
  There is also a well equipped amusement park here which has land, aquatic and air sports facilities and an indoor skating rink.
- How to get there: The Lake Village consists of Shennan Road, Xiangmei Road and Xiangmi (Honey) Road. To reach the resort, take bus No. 101 or 301.
Shiyanhu Hot Spring Holiday Villa
- Shiyanhu Hot Spring Holiday Villa is famous for its beautiful lake and ancient Yulu Hot Spring. The hot spring has a constant temperature of a pleasant 67.3 degrees C and is filled with minerals and herbs that are said to be beneficial to the skin and especially helpful to those suffering from rheumatism. Outdoor recreation includes motor boating, horse riding, tennis, archery and skiing. There is also a first class swimming pool at the complex.
- How to get there: The Hot Spring Holiday Villa is located in the northwest of Shenzhen. Take bus No.533 from the railway station and get off at the Buji Stop and change to bus No. 650.
Splendid China
- Splendid China is located next to China Folk Culture Villages and the Window on the World and is a fun entertainment complex. Here, the focus is on miniature Chinese sites, intended to reflect the history, culture, art, ancient architecture and customs and habits of various nationalities in China in a display of some of China's most famous sites and life sized pottery animals and figures. The delicate gardens of Suzhou are mimicked here, as is the Great Wall.
  There is also a traditional shopping street with an endless array of handicrafts and antiques and a restaurant area offering traditional cuisine from throughout the country.
- How to get there: Bus No. 101 from the train station. Tel: 6602111
- Cost: RMB 70 and RMB 80 during holidays.
Xiaomeisha Tourist Resort
- Known locally as the "Hawaii of the East", Xiaomeisha tourist area is the largest seaside resort in the city. The resort lies to the east of Dapeng Bay, about 30 kilometers from downtown Shenzhen.
  This resort is a pleasant area consisting of a vast white beach, a "Sea World" and water sports, accommodation, catering and shopping facilities. The beach sits at the base of a hill and is surrounded by lush tropical forest. A day spent out here can be an enjoyable and fun break from the cement and cranes of Shenzhen.
- Address: The resort is situated 30km from the city center, east of Dapeng Bay.
  How to get there: Take bus No.443 from the railway station.
Nan'ao Bay
- The seafood from Nan'ao Bay is exceptionally fresh and tasty and this is a great area to sample some more unusual sea creatures! The sea here is teeming with rare sea animals including abalone and sea urchin.
  This is also a pleasant district to wander and explore. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant as the fish arrives in huge nets from ships and is thrown onto the docks and most of the residents here survive on the income they make from the sea. The beach here is pleasant too and the bay looks over to Hong Kong only 1,000 meters across the water.
- How to get there: Take bus No. 360 from the city center.
Litchi Park
- Situated in Futian District, Litchi Park is a pleasant urban park composed of many pretty pavilions and landscaped gardens. There are some nice palms here and the park is a good place to do some people watching and escape the traffic. Lanterns are lit in the park during the New Year period when the place looks especially attractive.
The Botanical Gardens
- The Botanical Gardens are one of Shenzhen's more pleasant areas. The gardens are not spectacular but this large, green and clean space is a refreshing and welcome change from the rest of this concrete city. The gardens cover about 590 hectares and are located in the northeast of the city on Xianhu Road with the majestic Wutong Mountain behind.
  The gardens are designed according to traditional principles of Chinese garden design and there are more than 3,000 different types of plant here. The gardens also contain a plant research institute. There are a few nice pavilions scattered about that provide shelter from the sun.
- Address: 160, Xianhu Road, Liantang.
Guanlan Golf Club
- The Golf Courses in Shenzhen are pretty popular with Hong Kong residents. The greens and fairways here are greener and better maintained than those in Hong Kong and the prices are reasonable. As a result, you can usually get a nice game here and this course is also popular with visiting business travellers.
  The Guanlan Golf Club has also been recognised by the PGA and the two courses here were designed by the Championship golfer, Jack Nicklaus. The club also has a good practice driving range.
- The entertainment and recreation facilities here include a pleasant dining hall, gymnasium, billiards room, hot spring bathroom, sauna room, and tennis court and badminton room. There is a nice lake where guests can boat, surf or swim and also an outdoor pool! The Guanlan Lake Golf Club Holiday Inn has 225 luxurious guestrooms which allow you to enjoy all these great facilities on your doorstep.
- How to get there: a taxi costs approximately RMB50 from the city center
- Hours of Operation: 6.15am-3.00pm (tee of times)
- Cost: 9 holes costs RMB715 and 18 holes costs RMB1100. (Monday - Friday only for non members).