Half a day in Shenzhen?
August 17, 2011 3:33 PM Subscribe
Half a day in Shenzhen?
I'll be travelling to Hong Kong for business in the next few weeks, and I'll potentially have about half a day free on a Sunday. Does it make sense, logistically and time-wise, to try to head over to Shenzhen? Or should I just try to enjoy my spare time in Hong Kong and save the mainland for another trip?
I do have a China single-entry visa already, and it's good for a whole year, so definitely not a use-it-or-lose-it kind of deal. I don't speak any Chinese dialects at all, so advice from the perspective of an English-speaker is greatly appreciated.
I'll be travelling to Hong Kong for business in the next few weeks, and I'll potentially have about half a day free on a Sunday. Does it make sense, logistically and time-wise, to try to head over to Shenzhen? Or should I just try to enjoy my spare time in Hong Kong and save the mainland for another trip?
I do have a China single-entry visa already, and it's good for a whole year, so definitely not a use-it-or-lose-it kind of deal. I don't speak any Chinese dialects at all, so advice from the perspective of an English-speaker is greatly appreciated.
Best answer: Seconding doctard's advice.
I live in Hong Kong (and was in Shenzhen on Tuesday). It will take you about an hour to get to the border from HK Island by bus, and depending on day / time, you may have to wait for a while at Immigration. It is also quite hot here at the moment (33c+) and the Universiad Games are on in Shenzhen, which has increased traffic congestion and security.
Instead, take a ferry to one of Hong Kong's outlying islands; visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art or the Hong Kong Museum of History; or catch a bus to Shek O for lunch.
posted by quidividi at 4:54 PM on August 17, 2011
I live in Hong Kong (and was in Shenzhen on Tuesday). It will take you about an hour to get to the border from HK Island by bus, and depending on day / time, you may have to wait for a while at Immigration. It is also quite hot here at the moment (33c+) and the Universiad Games are on in Shenzhen, which has increased traffic congestion and security.
Instead, take a ferry to one of Hong Kong's outlying islands; visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art or the Hong Kong Museum of History; or catch a bus to Shek O for lunch.
posted by quidividi at 4:54 PM on August 17, 2011
Best answer: Thirding doctard's advice; transit is quite slow. The mainland is much more enjoyable when you aren't rushed.
quidividi: Don't you need to go through customs to visit Shekou? I thought that was adjacent to one of the main border crossings, and I don't remember much of interest on the HK side.
Honestly, I really disliked the times I went to Shekou when I was working in Shenzhen. The OCT Art and Design Gallery and surrounding area on Shennan Dadao is quite a bit more fun. In particular, C:UNION has some decent live music sometimes and a friendly crowd. Also, Huaqiangbei and Dongmen Pedestrian Street are absolutely worth visiting, if only for the spectacle.
posted by pmugowsky at 5:29 PM on August 17, 2011
quidividi: Don't you need to go through customs to visit Shekou? I thought that was adjacent to one of the main border crossings, and I don't remember much of interest on the HK side.
Honestly, I really disliked the times I went to Shekou when I was working in Shenzhen. The OCT Art and Design Gallery and surrounding area on Shennan Dadao is quite a bit more fun. In particular, C:UNION has some decent live music sometimes and a friendly crowd. Also, Huaqiangbei and Dongmen Pedestrian Street are absolutely worth visiting, if only for the spectacle.
posted by pmugowsky at 5:29 PM on August 17, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for the advice! Sounds like I'll be hitting up the museums in HK instead, and will save the visa for another trip.
posted by Guernsey Halleck at 6:48 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by Guernsey Halleck at 6:48 PM on August 17, 2011
@ pmugowsky
"Shek O" is a pretty fishing village / rich enclave / bohemian zone on the south side of Hong Kong Island.
"Shekou" is part of Shenzhen and is in China.
posted by quidividi at 3:43 AM on August 18, 2011
"Shek O" is a pretty fishing village / rich enclave / bohemian zone on the south side of Hong Kong Island.
"Shekou" is part of Shenzhen and is in China.
posted by quidividi at 3:43 AM on August 18, 2011
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posted by doctord at 3:42 PM on August 17, 2011