China Insider’s Look at Shenzen

Shangri-La’s China Insider newsletter has been taking a peek at Shenzhen. Keep this guide handy for your next visit.

ATTRACTIONS

QUITE THE MINSK

It may be thousands of kilometres from the Russian border, but Shenzhen’s Minsk World is the real deal. The military theme park centres on the former Soviet aircraft carrier, the Minsk.

Visitors can take a tour around the flight deck, catch a film detailing the carrier’s history, and even enjoy military-themed “cultural” performances.

Insider’s Tip: For a unique perspective, take a five minute (RMB30) motor boat ride around the carrier—it’s a great way to get an idea of the sheer scale of the site.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

Grab a bird’s eye view of Shenzhen and Hong Kong from the Meridian View Centre (a.k.a. the “Window of Shenzhen”), some 384 metres above street level on the 69th floor of the Diwang Mansion building.

When you’re done people watching, check out the waxworks of Deng Xiaoping and Margaret Thatcher, enshrined in a small museum in the Centre.

FLOWER POWER

Northeast of town in the foothills of Mount Wutong, Shenzhen Xianhu is a lush expanse of botanical gardens—588 hectares worth of plants and flowers forming the basis of horticultural research across the province.

Listed as a conservation area, the gardens are home to more than 400 different species of plants, all landscaped around a shimmering lake.

Insider’s Tip: The gardens are a great place for a picnic lunch in summer: the vegetation and lakeside setting keep temperatures down, and there are plenty of shady trees to find respite from the sun.

ART & CULTURE

ART ATTACK

Home to more than 2,000 artists-in-residence as well as 200 galleries and art retailers, the Dafen Oil Painting Village is one of the best places in China to pick up modern art.

Located in the small town of Buji, around 20 minutes outside of Shenzhen, the village hosts annual art fairs and auctions, and organised art tours for groups of aficionados.

Insider’s Tip: Works from Dafen can be ordered and purchased online by visiting www.chinae.com.cn/com/dafen/main.php

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Set to open mid-December 2008, the Shenzhen Museum’s new wing will be the first of its kind paying tribute to China’s history of reform.

The 32,000-square-metre space will house memorabilia telling the story of Shenzhen, and China, opening up over the last 30 years.

Among more traditional exhibits will be the hammer used in the first ever land auction in the mainland, as well as the car and furniture used by Deng Xiaoping when he visited Shenzhen during his 1992 tour of south China.

ENTERTAINMENT

SWEET LIKE HONEY

One of Shenzhen’s many amusement parks, Honey Lake stands out for having the largest collection of rides and attractions in the city, including a mind-boggling array of water park activities (even the roller coaster swoops over a man-made lake). Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel to get some perspective.

ONE TRACK MIND

The best way to visit Shenzhen’s attractions without braving the crowds is from above. The city’s Happy Line Monorail circumnavigates four of the biggest theme parks in town (China Folk Culture Villages, Window of the World, Happy Valley, and Splendid China), allowing you to witness the excitement and amusement from the comfort of a smooth, air-conditioned carriage.

WINING AND DINING

DIM SUM AND THEN SOME

Like the rest of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen is one of the best places in China to indulge in a slap-up dim sum brunch. Some of the best places to indulge include Tang Palace in the Zhonghai Business City building, and Jin Du Restaurant, south of Sihai Park.

Insider’s Tip: Going for dim sum with the family is hugely popular, so be prepared to queue for a table at the more popular restaurants.

RETAIL THERAPY.

IT’S ELECTRIFYING

Looking to pick up the latest laptop, mobile phone, or camera? Head to Hua Qiang Bei, a pleasant, tree-lined street running from Shennan Boulevard to the Pavilion Hotel in the centre of town.

Once you’re done shopping, there are hundreds of restaurants tucked along the side streets. For a quick energy-fix, head to Zhen Zhong Lu, Zhen Hua Lu, or Zhen Xing Lu.

WALK THE WALK

Smack-bang in the centre of town, the Dongmen Pedestrian Street is arguably Shenzhen’s most popular shopping district, home to hundreds of boutiques and malls, as well as dozens of restaurants and cafes and a handful of cinemas.

Visit Hua Qiang Bei mall for electrical goods and Women’s World for cheap clothes. As an added bonus, all shops along the street are completely tax-free.

HOT EVENTS

GRAND (THEATRE) SLAM

Now in its 16th year, the Shenzhen Grand Theater Festival is a multi-million dollar extravaganza that combines traditional and modern art, dance, drama, and opera from local and international performers.

Held between January 5 and 17, the festival revolves around Shenzhen’s sparkling Grand Theater—a modern attraction in its own right.

BASIN BANQUET

Centuries-old tradition of the Huang minority, the Xiasha Basin Banquet has developed from a celebration of good harvest into a full-scale food festival, replete with a banquet featuring more than 3,000 tables set up around the Huang Clan Temple in Xiasha Village.

Held on January 15, the festival attracts tens of thousands of people who descend on the village for a communal meal eaten out of big basins.

So extravagant is the feast that it made it into the Guinness Book of Records for the most tables (3,800) laid out for a banquet.

Source: Shangri-La’s “China Insider” newsletter