Shenzhen · 深圳
Shenzhen went from fishing village to "China's Silicon Valley" in 40 years. It's the world's go-to city for electronics and hardware, with Huaqiangbei as its epicenter.
City map
Wholesale markets in Shenzhen
📍 Metro L2/L7, Huaqiangbei station
Asia's largest electronics market: phones, accessories, drones, LEDs and components across entire floors. Be wary of suspiciously cheap 'brands': copies abound.
📍 Metro L3, Tianbei station, Exit C (Luohu)
Around 70% of China's jewellery comes out of Shenzhen: from costume jewellery to gold and gemstones, with hundreds of manufacturers packed into a few blocks.
📍 Huaqiangbei is huge and technical: bring clear specs (model, chipset, CE/RoHS certification) and compare several stalls before settling on a price.
What to see
Huaqiangbei
The world's largest electronics market, thousands of suppliers in a single district
Window of the World
Theme park with replicas of famous landmarks
Shenzhen Bay Park
Waterfront promenade with views of Hong Kong
OCT-LOFT
Former industrial district converted into an art and design area
Dafen Oil Painting Village
Village specialized in oil painting reproductions
Getting around
Shenzhen's metro is modern and covers the whole city, including the border area with Hong Kong (Luohu/Futian station). Crossing into Hong Kong by metro plus border control takes about 45-60 minutes.
In mainland China, Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and Instagram aren't accessible without a VPN arranged before you travel (it can't be installed once you've arrived). Hong Kong doesn't have this restriction.
Most used apps
Frequently asked questions about Shenzhen
When is the best time to visit Shenzhen?
March-April and October-November, with milder weather; avoid July-August due to extreme humid heat.
Do I need a visa to visit Shenzhen?
Always check the current visa policy for your nationality before traveling: China has expanded short-stay visa exemptions to several European nationalities in recent years, but the conditions change frequently. For longer stays or multiple entries, consider arranging a business (M) visa in advance.
Keep exploring
Shenzhen is part of the Guangdong cluster
Electronics, toys, textiles and hardware. The country's largest concentration of exporting factories.
See the full cluster →Terms you'll need when negotiating in Shenzhen
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