CN · Guangdong · 22.55°N 114.05°E

shenzhen

Hop over from Hong Kong for gadget malls, foot massages and a futuristic skyline.

Best time
October to December is dry and comfortable. Summers are hot and humid, with typhoons possible from about June to September.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Direct flights from KL take about 4 hours. Many Malaysians combine it with Hong Kong: cross at Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau by MTR, or take the high-speed train from West Kowloon to Futian in under 20 minutes.
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CN · Guangdongshenzhen22.55°N 114.05°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Hop over from Hong Kong for gadget malls, foot massages and a futuristic skyline.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingShenzhenCN, Guangdong
KLshenzhen
≈ 2,536 km from KL, as the crow flies
The Futian CBD's skyline looking east from the west. The Ping'an Finance Center which is the tallest building at the background, the SEZ Dev Grp Golf Course at the foreground which is next to the Xian

Photo: Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Mostly farmland and fishing villages until 1979, Shenzhen is now a tech megacity right across the border from Hong Kong. It's young, clean and fast-moving, with huge electronics markets, theme parks, seaside parks and food from every corner of China.

Makan

  1. Dim sumCantonese yum cha is a weekend morning ritual here.Map ↗
  2. Chaoshan beef hotpotFreshly cut beef dipped briefly in a clear broth, hugely popular in the city.Map ↗
  3. Food from all over ChinaShenzhen is a city of migrants, so Hunan, Sichuan, Hakka and northern food are all easy to find.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. HuaqiangbeiFloor after floor of electronics, gadgets, parts and phone accessories.Map ↗
  2. Window of the WorldA theme park of miniature world landmarks. Cheesy, but fun with a group.Map ↗
  3. Dafen Oil Painting VillageA neighbourhood of studios where artists paint copies of famous works, and originals too.Map ↗
  4. Shenzhen Bay ParkA long seafront park for walking and cycling, with Hong Kong across the water.Map ↗
  5. A foot massageMassage centres are everywhere, and a session is the Shenzhen way to end a day of walking.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Bring your passport and allow extra time at the border on weekends and public holidays, when the crossings get very busy.
  • Malaysians can currently visit mainland China visa-free for short stays, but check the latest rules before you fly.
  • Most places expect Alipay or WeChat Pay. Link your card to one before you fly and keep some cash as a backup.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.