The expansion of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy has attracted more and more foreigners to China. Shenzhen, known as the "beginner-friendly village", stands out as one of the most popular destinations for international visitors. Our interviews with foreigners who have visited Shenzhen revealed several must-do things.
First, the Gangxia North Metro Station. Hailed as the "Eye of Shenzhen," it captivates all who see it. An Indian blogger repeatedly marveled, "I've never seen such a metro station before. It's as if I'm in the future." Tim Ramak, who fell in love with Shenzhen and chose to settle there, believes that no matter the angle, it always seizes your attention.
Tim Ramak checked in the Gangxia North Metro Station (Photo by Tim).
Second, the drone delivery. Feeling tired after a long walk in the park, YouTube blogger The Hutchinsons placed an order using her phone and a cup of Starbucks with ice was delivered to her hands in just ten minutes. This was her first experience of Meituan delivery at Shenzhen Talent Park, while bloggers Justin & Alina also ate hot KFC delivered by a drone. That's so chill!
The Hutchinsons experienced the drone delivery (Screenshot of video from the Hutchinsons YouTube account).
Third, the shopping districts. As a city of malls, Shenzhen is full of exquisite shopping centers. "So futuristic! Bringing space into the mall? That's crazy!" Blogger couple Sun Kissed Bucket List visited Longgang Wanda Plaza and felt as if they were traveling through the universe. When visiting Luohu Mixc, the integrated handwashing and drying faucet in the restroom made them exclaim that it was the best public toilet experience.
Fourth, the modern complexes. Shenzhen has become one of the cities with the most skyscrapers in the world, having the largest number of structures exceeding 200 meters in height. Blogger The Hutchinsons took his wife and two daughters to the top of the Ping An International Finance Centre to overlook the city. High-rise buildings in CBDs of Qianhai District and Shenzhen Bay also often appear in the vlogs of foreigners. Huaqiang North, known as the "global maker paradise," is also one of the must-visit check-in spots for foreign bloggers.
"The appeal of Shenzhen lies in its modern skyline, extensive public transportation network, and full integration with the international community. Many subway stations are impressive, with a subway network linking attractions, residential areas, and business districts. Visiting the stations allows you to intuitively experience the city's infrastructure and catch a glimpse of the lifestyle of its local residents," said Kaya, who has lived in Shenzhen for many years.
Kaya checked in at the Gangxia North Metro Station (Photo by Kaya).
Why do they choose Shenzhen as their first stop?
One reason lies in numerous ports and dense high-speed rail lines. Up to now, 11 ports in Shenzhen have been included in the policy, covering all land, rail, air, and sea ports. The West Kowloon Port operates 188 cross-border trains daily, reaching 74 stations nationwide and achieving a 14-minute direct connection between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, as well as a 1-hour commute to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Another one is the seamless travel experience. With an average age of just 32.5 years among permanent residents, a remarkable 90% of the youth possess college degrees or higher, of which 70.9% hold at least a bachelor's degree. Foreigners need not worry about language barriers. At the same time, public places also provide multilingual services. Some bloggers were surprised to find that the subway's intelligent assistant offers three options: Chinese, English, and Cantonese, and such services are already widespread in parks, libraries, banks, and even government service hotlines.To meet the consumption needs of foreigners, Shenzhen has been offering a comprehensive payment approach since April, encompassing card payments, cash, digital RMB, and mobile transactions.
Kaya believes that the 144-hour visa-free policy signifies an increase in international exchanges and cultural interactionsand Shenzhen's scenic spots, restaurants, shopping centers, and hotels are bound to become even more popular.
Reporter | Sun Mengyuan, Cai Minling
Editor | Zhang Xinyue, Nina, James
