Shenzhen is a coastal city next to Hong Kong in southern China. It is a city of sunshine and vitality. Shenzhen was China’s first special economic zone and also one of the most successful pioneers of China’s reforms. The city has developed from a small fishing village into a modern metropolis within a very short period of time. It has opened to the world and has led to the saying “at Shenzhen speed.”

Shenzhen is a city of immigrants, with the majority of its inhabitants coming from other parts of China, and from every corner of the world. With its particular social background and development, Shenzhen is a vigorous and exciting city for visitors. It has an excellent system of public and cultural services, and many top-ranked cultural facilities.

Shenzhen ranks among the best cities in China in the quality of its urban environment, with a high percentage of green coverage. It won the "International Garden City" title. Scenic spots include Wutong Mountain, the Mangrove Forest Nature Reserve, Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Qiniang Mountain Geopark, Dameisha Beach Park, and Lianhuashan Park.

Welcome to Shenzhen!

Shenzhen has a humid subtropical maritime climate, with plenty of sunshine, but lots of rainfall from May to October. Adjacent to the sea, there are small day-night temperature differences in the summer, ranging from 25℃ to 31℃ in daily mean temperature. It is recommended that visitors bring suitable clothing (such as T-shirts and a light coat) and umbrellas. See the China Weather website (http://en.weather.com.cn/) for further information.

There are many choices of lodging in Shenzhen, from youth hotels all the way to 5 star hotels. Visitors can always find an option to suit any budget.

Shenzhen, as an immigrant city, has a wide range of cuisines available, including quite a few famous local cuisines, and especially delicious Chinese food.

Visitors may choose public transportation (metro or bus), and taxis are quite affordable. Visitors can also enjoy the city on foot. For specific information on the Shenzhen Metro, see http://www.szmc.net/page/en/index.html

Most shops in Shenzhen are generally open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, and some stores remain open until late in the evening on weekends and holidays. Major credit cards (UnionPay, VISA, and Master Card) are accepted in all shopping malls and stores. There are many shopping centers, such as Mix City, Coco Park, Dongmen Commercial Street, Coastal City, and Huaqiang North Commercial Street. Visitors can buy fine jewelry, fashion clothes, delicate bags, and the latest technology in these places. On the city streets are many interesting boutiques and shops where tourist can find interesting goods with national characteristics.

Banks in Shenzhen are open from 8:00 to 17:00 Monday through Friday and from 9:30 to 16:00 on weekends. Currency exchange services are available at the airport, ports of entry, most major hotels, banks, and currency exchange shops that are conveniently scattered on the streets of Shenzhen. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are also widely available in Shenzhen, including at the Congress site, most hotels, and on most city streets.