Travel Special: Shenzhen Surprise

by cityweekend

CW goes south in search of the pearl of the Pearl River Delta. by Jane Ram

Shenzhen

Southern Charm
Shenzhen is much more than what it is usually touted as—the epitome of the Chinese economic miracle. This dynamic city comes close to being all things to all travelers, offering everything from golf and hiking to sophisticated spas, luxurious accommodation and theme parks of all shapes and sizes. For a family holiday, Shenzhen has plenty of child-friendly activities: Think Hong Kong at considerably lower cost. Looking at the fast-paced traffic and sparkling, stainless steel and glass high-rises, it’s hard to imagine this as the sleepy fishing village of 30 years ago. But despite the development, Shenzhen has been well-planned with numerous parks and colorful landscaping. Thanks to its coastal location, Shenzhen also stays green throughout the year, making it a delightful destination for a May Day getaway. Shenzhen is a major transport hub, accessible by air, train or road from every major city in China. Plan your time to make the best of all possible worlds in this exciting, one-stop destination, but keep things flexible enough to adjust to the prevailing weather. Here’s an area by area breakdown of the pearl of the Pearl River Delta.

Dameisha

Best-Kept Secret
Dameisha and neighboring Xiaomeisha form one of Shenzhen’s best-kept secrets. This delightful beach area has a dramatic woodland backdrop and the golden sand provides the perfect setting for a number of annual festivals, most notably the international sand castle building contest. At Minsk World, you’ll find a second-generation Soviet aircraft carrier, built in 1972. It covers 7.4 acres and is linked by a bridge to Minsk Square which offers a variety of experiences from historical re-enactments of by-gone battles to twenty-first century dining and shopping. Stay: The recently opened Sheraton Dameisha Resort features lush landscaping and a unique, dragon-shaped building along with an elegantly winding outdoor pool. Guest rooms all have balconies overlooking Dapeng Bay, providing magical sunset views. The hotel offers everything for relaxation, including water sports, a health club, indoor pool and fully-equipped spa. Versatile facilities make it a popular choice for meetings of all sizes.

Overseas Chinese Town

Kid Paradise
Shenzhen blazed the trail for Chinese theme parks and the almost endless attractions around the Overseas Chinese Town, Hua Qiao Cheng, make this one of the best places for a family holiday. Visit China’s many minorities at the China Folk Culture Village where you’ll experience Dragon Boat races, torch-lit parades and water-splashing festivals. No time to go sightseeing in China? Do it the easy way at Splendid China, which has everything from replicas of the Terracotta Warriors to the Great Wall in miniature, or see replicas of world landmarks like Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Eiffel Tower. Other child-friendly destinations nearby include Happy Valley, complete with jaw-dropping roller coasters. A three-in-one ticket covers all three parks. Stay: The Spanish-inspired InterContinental Shenzhen is ideally located within easy walking distance from Shenzhen’s major theme parks and it has a metro stop right outside. Dine al fresco at the open-air grill, opting for Thai and Vietnamese specialities, Brazilian barbecue or modern French cuisine in funky art deco surroundings.

Futian

Meeting Central
Futian is Shenzhen’s new center of commerce, finance and government. The purpose-built exhibition center is the main focus, but it’s also the location of Shenzhen’s museum and city hall. As a newly developed area, Futian has the leg room for mega stores including Wal-Mart and B&Q. Several new malls offer a range of entertainment options—multiplex cinemas, ice skating, restaurants and boutiques. Check out the Sam’s Club/Cinema Complex and the Dong Hai Pacific Mall. Stay: Though a number of new international hotels have opened in this area, including the Sheraton, Fraser Residences, Landmark and a new Shangri-La that is almost complete, The Marco Polo is a long-established favorite. The "lifestyle floor" has the city’s best gym, an outdoor swimming pool and the internationally-renowned Mandara Spa.

Downtown

Shop, Don’t Drop
Shopping and dining are major preoccupations in Shenzhen and Huaqiang Bei Lu is where to do it. It’s easy to reach by metro, (Huaqiang Lu is the sixth stop from Luo Hu, take exit A), and locals call this broad street the road to riches. It runs for about a kilometer, with wide pavements enticing window shoppers and strollers. On weekends and in the evenings, it seems that most of Shenzhen’s 10 million inhabitants compete for space here. Electronics, digitalia and computer items are the specialities in its shops and malls. You will also find trendy clothing and accessory boutiques selling all kinds of items manufactured locally for export. Stay: Appropriate for such a modern and glamorous part of town, five-star The Pavilion provides the perfect base for exploration. The hotel’s location makes it a natural choice for business travelers, but it also caters to families with a well-equipped children’s playground and other child-friendly features.