Shenzhen rocketed from fishing villages to a 17-million-strong metropolis in just four decades. Today it’s China’s “Silicon Valley,” home to global tech titans, shimmering skyscrapers, design-forward districts, and a surprisingly generous coastline. You’ll taste refined Cantonese flavors, sip great coffee among converted factory lofts, and end days oceanside as the skyline flickers on.

Between the Civic Center’s monumental roof and Ping An Finance Centre’s cloud-high deck, Shenzhen’s architecture dazzles. Historic pockets remain: walled Nantou Ancient City, the dynastic Dapeng Fortress, and the artisanal lanes of Dafen Oil Painting Village. Nature isn’t far—Lotus Hill, Shenzhen Bay Park, and the surf-washed beaches of Xichong and Yangmeikeng offer soft landings away from neon.

Practical notes: the metro is clean, fast, and multilingual; taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful. Most venues take cards via Alipay/WeChat—foreign cards are increasingly supported in-app; still keep some RMB for small shops. Museums often close Mondays. Summers are hot and humid (and typhoon season); winters are mild. Dim sum is a rite of passage—come hungry.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city of firsts and fast-forwards: the Huaqiangbei electronics market, the OCT-LOFT creative zone, the glittering Futian CBD, and Shekou’s international marina neighborhood. It’s a rare place where you can test a robotaxi at noon and share Teochew-style seafood at night.

• Top sights: Ping An Finance Centre Observation Deck, Lianhuashan Park, OCT-LOFT, Shenzhen Museum, Shenzhen Bay Park, Nantou Ancient City, Dafen Oil Painting Village, Sea World (Shekou), Window of the World.
• Food & drink: Dim sum palaces, Chaozhou cuisine, inventive coffee culture, craft beer in Shekou, lively hot pot till late.
• Fun facts: Shenzhen pioneered China’s Special Economic Zones in 1980; tea-chain giants Heytea and Nayuki were born here; the skyline regularly adds a new stunner.

Where to stay (by vibe):

• Futian CBD (business, shopping, museums): Four Seasons Shenzhen, The Ritz-Carlton Shenzhen, Futian Shangri-La.
• Nanshan/OCT & Shekou (creative, coastal, expat nightlife): InterContinental Shenzhen (near OCT), Raffles Shenzhen (bay views), Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai.
• Luohu (old Shenzhen, Dongmen, markets): Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, Shangri-La Shenzhen (by the rail hub).

Search stays on Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO.

Getting in and around:

• Flights: Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) is well-connected across Asia and beyond. Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Taxi/ride-hail to Futian takes 40–50 minutes (about ¥80–120); Metro Line 11/20 is 45–60 minutes (about ¥8–10).
• High-speed rail: Guangzhou South → Shenzhen North: 35–60 minutes (~¥70–100). Hong Kong West Kowloon → Futian/Shenzhen North: 14–20 minutes (~US$12–15). Check times on Trip.com (trains).
• Within city: Metro covers nearly all sights (fares ~¥2–8). A 1‑day pass is handy for heavy travel days. Didi ride-hailing is widely used.

Day 1: Arrival, Futian First Impressions & Skyline Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in (Futian is central for this itinerary). Shake off jet lag at Lianhuashan Park: a gentle 20–30 minute walk to the summit reveals Shenzhen’s skyline with the Civic Center’s “flying roof” and Ping An’s spire. Grab an iced fruit tea at Heytea (try cheese-foam jasmine) on your way back.

Evening: Dim sum for dinner? Book Lei Garden in COCO Park (elegant Cantonese; crispy roast goose, har gow with bamboo shoots). Alternatives: Din Tai Fung (MixC Luohu) for xiaolongbao and cold cucumber salad; or Shang Palace (Futian Shangri-La) for refined Cantonese soups. Nightcap at COCO Park—casual patios, gelato, and people-watching.

Day 2: Tech Shenzhen, Civic Center & Huaqiangbei

Morning: Espresso at Manner Coffee or Seesaw Coffee in Futian. Then dive into innovation on the

Shenzhen Tech Tour: Robotaxi, Drone Delivery & Innovation Demos (2–3 hours). Expect hands-on demos, a look at autonomous mobility and drone services, and stops at flagship concept stores that foretell tomorrow’s gadgets.

Afternoon: Lunch at The MixC (Luohu)—besides Din Tai Fung, look for Yun Nán by Green Tea (lemongrass chicken, lime fish). Walk to the Shenzhen Museum (Futian) to trace the city’s leap from farms to finance (closed Mondays). Architecture lovers should step into the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art & Urban Planning next door for models of the city’s growth.

Evening: Explore Huaqiangbei, the world’s densest electronics market. Pop into multi-story plazas for components, maker kits, and quirky gadgets; best for browsing rather than big-ticket buys. Hot pot dinner at Hai Di Lao (cheerful service, tomato and mushroom broths, noodle dance). Craft beer afterwards at Craft Head in Shekou (if you’re up for a metro hop) or a sleek cocktail in Futian.

Day 3: OCT-LOFT, Sea World & Night Lights

Morning: Wander OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park, a former factory district turned galleries, boutiques, and leafy courtyards. Coffee and vinyl at Old Heaven Books & Café, then peek into small studios and design shops along Enping Street.

Afternoon: Metro to Shekou Sea World. Brunch-lunch hybrids: BAIA Burger Concept (house-ground burgers), The Terrace (Thai favorites; also live music at night), or Trattoria D’Oro for pasta. Stroll the marina promenade, then follow the boardwalk into Shenzhen Bay Park for sea breeze and Hong Kong views.

Evening: Join the Private Shenzhen Evening Tour With Shenzhen Top Scenic Spots to string together OCT-LOFT twilights, Sea World vibes, Shenzhen Bay Park, and the Civic Center light show (check schedule; usually weekends/holidays). It’s a photogenic, zero-navigation way to see the city glow.

Day 4: History, Markets & Hidden Corners (Flexible Car + Guide)

Morning: Dim sum breakfast—try Lei Garden or the old-school bustle of a neighborhood teahouse for shrimp rice rolls and steamed pork ribs. Then set off with the Shenzhen Private Flexible Day Tour with Guide and Driver, customizing your route.

Afternoon: Suggested stops: Nantou Ancient City (restored lanes, temples, indie shops inside Ming-era walls), Dafen Oil Painting Village (artists at work; commission a custom piece), and Dongmen Old Street (Shenzhen’s original shopping zone—try street snacks like rice noodle rolls and claypot rice). Lunch near Nantou: Chaozhou-style seafood (steamed mantis shrimp, poached crab with ginger-scallion dips).

Evening: Wrap at Luohu with The MixC dessert bars (mango pomelo sago) or head back to Nanshan for Xiaolongkan Hot Pot (medium spice is truly medium). If you’ve energy, a calm stroll under the lit eaves of Nantou is atmospheric.

Day 5: Dapeng Peninsula—Fortress, Fishing Village & Beaches (Full-Day Tour)

Trade skyscrapers for the coast on the Shenzhen Dapeng Peninsula Escape: Fortress, Beach & Yangmeikeng (about 1.5–2 hours’ drive each way). Explore 600-year-old Dapeng Fortress (on China’s National Historic Relics list), wander the lanes of Jiaochangwei (guesthouses, cafés, sea breezes), and curve along the cliff-edged road toward Yangmeikeng or Xichong Beach for soft sand and photogenic headlands. Lunch is typically seafood—ginger-scallion razor clams, steamed fish, wok-fried baby squid. Pack sunscreen; bring a swimsuit in warm months.

Day 6: Museums, Parks & Cloud-High Views

Morning: Start with a tai chi-paced walk in Shenzhen Bay Park or return to Lianhuashan for morning light on the skyline. Coffee and a pastry at Old Heaven Books & Café if you missed it, or a flat white at Seesaw.

Afternoon: Dive deeper into design at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art & Urban Planning (tower models, eco-city concepts). Late lunch at KK Mall (options from Cantonese roast to Japanese sets). Then time your ascent to the Ping An Finance Centre Observation Deck (aka Free Sky/Cloud Top 116) for golden hour—expect fast lifts, a glassed-in loop, and sweeping views. Tickets are typically ~¥160–200; sunset slots are popular.

Evening: Celebrate with Cantonese classics: Shang Palace (double-boiled soups, wok hei char siu) or a seafood banquet near Futian. For drinks, Shekou’s The Terrace is lively; in Futian, hotel bars are polished and quiet for a nightcap.

Day 7: Last Bites, Shopping & Departure

Morning: Brunch in OCT or Futian: Wagas for light, healthy bowls; Maan Coffee for waffles and lattes. Last-minute shopping at UpperHills (design-forward complex) or The MixC for gifts (local tea, ceramics, indie stationery).

Afternoon: Depart for SZX Airport (plan ~1 hour by metro or 45 minutes by taxi depending on traffic). Browse or book flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; trains within China on Trip.com (trains). If you have a free morning instead, consider a quick guided circuit with the Self-Guided Car & Driver to nab any last sights (museum closures permitting).

Optional Swap: One More Curated Day

Prefer a full-service city sweep? Swap any day for the Shenzhen Private Day Tour with Car Service (Tech + Culture + Shopping), tailoring 3–5 attractions in 8 hours—perfect if you want a deeper dive into Huaqiangbei, museum time, and a finish at Dongmen or COCO Park without handling logistics.

Booking & logistics quick links:

• Stays: Hotels.com (Shenzhen) | VRBO (Shenzhen)
• Flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com
• Trains in China: Trip.com

With a week in Shenzhen, you’ll balance tech-forward thrills, historic lanes, parks and seaside, plus some of China’s best dim sum. The city rewards curiosity—every neighborhood hums with a different rhythm. Expect to leave with a new favorite noodle, a panorama etched in memory, and a fresh definition of “modern.”