China's startup metropolis — grown from Bao'an county town into a megacity since 1980. Glass towers, design districts, beaches and theme parks, with Hong Kong a metro ride across the border.
Tip Shenzhen is the easy hop to or from Hong Kong — the Futian and Luohu checkpoints put you across in minutes. Modern, green and young; best for tech, shopping, design and theme parks.
Day guideWindow of the World, Splendid China and the OCT culture park — which to pick and how to do one well.
City guideUp the Ping An Finance Center, then the OCT-LOFT design district and the parks that thread the city.
Practical guideFutian vs Luohu vs the high-speed rail to West Kowloon — the fastest, cheapest ways across the border.
Futian and Luohu metro checkpoints, or the HSR to West Kowloon. Bring your passport; most nationalities get HK visa-free entry.
Independent design and coffee in a converted factory quarter. Sat–Sun, free entry, very walkable.
Tap through with your Alipay ride code; the express cars are a small worthwhile upgrade.
Free park, easy climb, and the whole glass skyline lights up at once. Best free view in town.
Futian or Luohu for a 9am Hong Kong meeting? Worried about the queues either side.