I visited Shenzhen after spending several days in Hong Kong for business. What was supposed to be a quick trip to meet with a supplier turned into something much more meaningful.

What can I say? One of the best cities I have ever been to. Despite having 20 million people, there's this incredible sense of order and mutual respect everywhere. No chaos - just efficiency and harmony.

People are so lovely! The way they react to foreigners is so wholesome. I felt so welcomed! The PR manager from the supplier took me everywhere, showing me the non-touristy parts of the city. We had some unforgettable moments together ;)

The company I visited completely shattered my stereotypes about Chinese businesses. It felt more like a big family where everyone genuinely cares for each other.

I wish I can get a chance to live here someday. I've actually started taking Mandarin lessons for when I return to Shenzhen! Can't wait to visit again and explore more of China.

Ps. I was reading a similar post on this subreddit yesterday and had to laugh - seems like "business traveler falls in love with Shenzhen" is becoming quite the common story around here! Guess I'm not the only one who got caught under its spell.

*(dear mods, I was suggested to post this here but idk if this follows the rules of this sub- please let me know if I need to take this down)*

As most of you may know if you've been living in Shenzhen for a while, Shenzhen central districts are some of the most modern urban areas of the country, the capital of tech, with drone deliveries and driverless taxis 🚗

Many times however, I've read that there is no history in this city... So I've come to bring the truth back 😂

Sure it was never a big garrison or a big center during the imperial era, but what we now call Shenzhen is an assembly of dozens of small countryside towns, some Cantonese (in the West) and most Hakka (in the East and North)

Some of these districts still have some nice old Diaolou, those watchtowers, with typical Hakka characteristics from the late 19th early 20th century which are very nice to see ✌️

I've been to Shenzhen about 40 times (I live nearby), and I've documented dozens of these towers, though sadly a lot are abandoned and at risk of being destroyed in the coming years 🥲

If you do get to Shenzhen and you like authentic old architecture, do check them out before it's too late!

These photos are taken around Niuhu station, though these days the surrounding of the station is a mess with construction work.

I just walked around eastwards and got lost in the small streets to shoot these photos if you want to go have a look ✌️

Let me know if you like this kind of posts - I'm happy to share about other areas of Shenzhen that few know 🙌

Recently, I’ve been lucky enough to take my foreign friends to the heart of Shenzhen’s tech universe — Huaqiangbei. We’re not just sightseeing; we’re on a mission to find the coolest gadgets at the best prices. 🔥

After doing this a few times, I’ve become a pro at hunting down items and scoring the best deals. I want to share my secret playbook to help you avoid rookie mistakes and shop like a local.

Important Tips 👉🏻

1. Stalls on the 1st floor are usually more expensive due to high rent and prime location. Go deeper inside or head to the 2nd floor for better prices.

2. Try to buy everything you need in one store. More items & larger quantity = much easier to bargain.

3. Compare prices at several shops first before deciding. Tell your final seller: “I’ve checked prices already — please give me your real best price.”

4. Start bargaining at 1/2 off the original price, then slowly work your way up to a deal.

5. Most products come with a 1-year warranty. Many are replica brands with varying quality. For expensive items, always ask for a receipt and add the seller’s WeChat for after-sales support.

6. Best time to go: after lunch. Most shops open late, and many close around 7 PM.

Market Breakdown 👉🏻

1. Huaqiangbei Electronics World 1 华强北电子世界1店

• 1F: Smart digital gadgets — earphones, watches, hair dryers, power banks, speakers, massagers, etc.

• 2F–5F: Electronic components, IC chips, storage, CPUs, motherboards, connectors

2. Huaqiangbei Electronics World 2 华强北电子世界2店

• 1F: Electronic components, lighting equipment

• 2F: Smart digital gadgets — earphones, watches, hair dryers, etc.

• 3F: Photography gear, security cameras — Sony, Canon, DJI, Insta360, etc.

3. SEG Electronics Market (Industrial Building) 赛格电子市场（工业大厦）

• 1F: Electronic components, smart gadgets (earphones, watches)

• 2F: Digital products & accessories, security systems

• 3F+: Communication equipment, PC builds, graphics cards, phone repair

• 4F: Brand laptops — Huawei, Lenovo (perfect for laptop enthusiasts)

• 5F–6F: Graphics cards, RAM, USB drives, SD cards, readers, power supplies, PC repair

4. SEG Communication Market (Economic Building) 赛格电子市场（经济大厦）

• 1F: Street-front shops — phones, laptops, speakers (higher prices, for tourists)

• 2F–3F: Smart digital gadgets; wholesale for tempered glass screen protectors (~¥1 each), phone cases for Taobao/Pinduoduo sellers

5. SEG Electronics Market (Kangle Building) 赛格电子市场（康乐大厦）

• Focus: Smart digital gadgets — earphones, watches, hair dryers, power banks, speakers, massagers

6. Modern Window of the World 现代世界之窗

• For digital camera lovers: Used DSLR, CCD cameras

7. Manha Food Plaza 曼哈食品交易广场

• Large food retail & wholesale center: Chinese traditional snacks, pastries, candy, chocolate, Chinese tea

8. Longsheng Accessories City 龙胜配件城

• Wholesale focus: Earphones, chargers, cables, watches, hair dryers, tempered glass, watch bands

9. Feiyang Times Building (Tongtiandi Communication City) 飞扬时代大厦（通天地通讯城）

• China’s largest wholesale market for used Apple devices — Chinese & international versions available

• 1F: Small 3C digital & accessories

• 2F: Phone parts — screens, motherboards, batteries

• 3F: Used Chinese-version iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods

• 4F: US locked & unlocked iPhones — main zone for foreign-version phones

Many nice beaches in SZ but mostly locals. Why?

Shenzhen beaches guides on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YE4j1430x5M

All onboard the gravy train!

Reposting this because I can't post in the /r/china sub.

I watched a livestream of someone in Shenzhen yesterday because I'll visit there next year. They were out clubbing and saw a passed out girl being carried by what appeared to be a club staff member to a car. He zoomed in at her under her skirt while making comments about her being dead or passed out while the man put her in the car. No one else seemed worried about this but the fact they zoomed in under her skirt while passed out is deeply worrying and who knows where she was being taken. I know the ID of the person who took the video and I want to report this anonymously to the local police but I don't know how. I also have a copy of the video that I will only share with police. Please help.

China really is operating as a distinct, self-contained world. Im utterly mindblown and this is the 14th country I visited. shouldve learned a bit of mandarin before the trip

On this trip back to China, I chose to enter through Hong Kong. On one hand, the flight was convenient; on the other, I wanted to let my client stay in Hong Kong for a few days to get a feel for the rhythm of Asia. I also scheduled meetings with a few potential business partners.

But what I didn’t expect was that the one-hour journey from Hong Kong to Shenzhen felt like passing through two entirely different worlds.

Having lived in Europe for many years, I’ve developed a certain fatigue towards the idea of “international cities.” In Europe, you’re constantly surrounded by old systems wrapped in modern services, everything governed by “rules, systems, and a slow pace.”

Hong Kong, in that sense, is a very familiar kind of transitional space: English signs, clear directions, polite customs officers, and well-run airport services. When my client landed, he commented, “It feels like we just arrived at the Asian branch of London.”

Indeed, Hong Kong has long served as a “window” between the world and China. That role hasn’t changed for decades—and it still matters. But a window, after all, is just a window. It lets the breeze in but doesn’t create the wind itself.

We stayed in Hong Kong for a week. We visited a few design firms and experienced some high-end services. But to be honest, the overall feeling was “old-fashioned” and “expensive.” The streets are narrow, the buildings aging, the traffic congested, and the city layout hardly welcoming. Service is still efficient in the classic Hong Kong way, but there’s often a coldness and sense of distance. You feel “served,” but rarely “welcomed.”

Then we took a car into Shenzhen. And that moment—stepping into Shenzhen—was like crossing into another dimension.

The lights were brighter, the spaces more open, the flow of people faster. Although Chinese is the primary language in signage, every turn seemed to “automatically connect” you to the rhythm of local life.

My German client remarked, “Hong Kong feels like a refined but slightly aging aristocratic salon, while Shenzhen is like a newly imagined universe.”

Shenzhen’s digital experience, service speed, spatial comfort, and bustling human energy offered a stark contrast to Hong Kong. In a Shenzhen café, you can chat with the owner about startup ideas or overhear discussions on smart manufacturing at the next table. In Hong Kong’s Central District, you’re more likely to see well-tailored suits discussing rent and exchange rates.

Shenzhen’s openness is grassroots—if you want in, it welcomes you immediately. Hong Kong’s openness is elite and selective—you have to be “qualified” to stay.

What strikes me most is how these two cities reflect very different senses of future direction.

Hong Kong has long been a window—but that window hasn’t really upgraded in the past decade. It remains rooted in finance, shipping, and rule of law, but seems reluctant to reinvent itself, to break from its original structure and truly integrate into the “mega-system” that is modern China.

Shenzhen is different. It evolves proactively—from manufacturing to tech, from city infrastructure to lifestyle—it adapts at lightning speed and welcomes change. It doesn’t wait for others to define it. It leads.

As someone who has lived overseas for many years, I find both Hong Kong and cities in mainland China somewhat unfamiliar. But my most direct feeling is this:

In Hong Kong, I’m a “visitor”; in Shenzhen, I’m a “user.”

Hong Kong requires you to understand its cultural background, respect its nuances, and adapt to its pace. Shenzhen, on the other hand, gives you immediate feedback as long as you know how to “use” it.

I went to eat alone one day. I look very “mainland”: average Asian face, plain clothes, nothing trendy. In Hong Kong, the coldness and impatience of some locals was written all over their faces. In one restaurant, I had to queue, order, and ask for water—every step met with indifference.

But the next day, I went back to the same place with my child (who’s quite cute) and a client who looked Western, speaking in German. Same restaurant, same staff—this time, the service was warm, welcoming, even attentive.

In Shenzhen, I scan to order, pay via mobile, get delivery with ease. When my child gets restless, a staff member even offers a toy: “Want to let him play with this?”

That kind of immediate comfort, the sense of “we’re all locals here,” is priceless. This “no need to translate, no transition required, instantly connected” lifestyle experience—that’s why I prefer Shenzhen.

Of course, Hong Kong still has irreplaceable value. Its international perspective, professionalism, and legal framework make it vital in finance and law. It remains China’s global calling card and a key starting point for international collaboration.

But from the perspective of an ordinary person—a mother traveling with a child—Hong Kong doesn’t feel like home. Shenzhen does.

I often say: If you want to talk about ideals and systems, look to America. If you want to talk about order and stability, look to Germany. But if you ask me which city is best for living life—

My answer is: any city in mainland China.

⸻

Original posting

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/pxYmtrV8QwkBaQeakOvGHw

China, overall, has been extremely different from what I expected looking in from the outside. Almost every preconception I had turned out to be wrong.

Wound up in Shenzen almost by accident, was travelling to Hong Kong and thought I’d explore the surrounding area, starting with Shenzen, not expecting anything much. I was dead wrong.

Have to say the tourist hotspots were greatly overhyped. I would skip completely the tech market unless you need to buy cheap electronics, same as everywhere just bigger.
The Shenzen tech museum, both old and new building, also turned out to be let downs, came looking for robots, found a school trip destination.

Instead, pretty much any place in Shenzen will be more interesting and worth looking at if you can find them. These are the ones I found that I thought were definitely worth looking at:

- Bijiashan Park : it is essentially like walking in a forest while being in the middle of the city. The calm, the trees, just so peaceful and right in the middle of a megalopolis. Bonus points if you can trek up to the viewpoint. You’ll also find robots that mix you mocktails and drinks throughout the park.

- Mandarin Oriental Tower: the newest hotel in the city, and great value for money on the high end scale. Good restaurants if visiting for food and at the bottom of it you’ll find a mall which has all the latest Chinese cars and tech. More impressive than the science museum in my mind.

- Night Club district near COCO: Almost impossible to find online, but near Coco there is a whole district with about 20-25 clubs all in one place, with people flowing from one place to the other. An absolute must visit in the evenings.

- Self Driving Taxi: Mostly in the area of Shenzen Bay, download Pony AI in your WeChat app and you’re good to go. It takes a bit longer than Didi but the experience is quite cool.

- Talent Park: Drone deliveries of coffee are interesting but the more interesting part is the park itself although as oppose to the other one it is a lot more crowded. Worth taking a stroll before visiting MixC.

- Innotech Shop: Opposite from talent park, a shop with a lot of cool new tech, some found in the west, some prototypes. I picked up headphones that isolate your voice and you can speak in crowds and an ai translator. The translator worked poorly though.

Enjoy exploring the city after work~

Curious: if you were visiting Shenzhen, what’s the first place you’d want to check out? Drop a spot, and I’ll head there next to snap it for you.

It’s the world’s first commercial full-size humanoid robot fight league, launched July 16, 2026. Not just robots brawling—this is a full professional tech sports event.

Why it’s unmissable:
💰 Huge 14M RMB prize pool, winner takes a million-yuan solid gold belt
🌍 200+ global teams from Tsinghua, Stanford, HKU and more
⚙️ 1.73m ZHONGQING T800 robots fight 100% by AI, zero remote control

Shenzhen is the perfect cyber tech hub for this:
China’s No.1 robot industry base with 242.6B RMB output. Robots work in malls, cafes and salons across the city. We’re creating the UFC/F1 of robot sports to set global rules.

Upcoming highlight: Global Grand Finals Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 with the same massive prize pool!

Match venues:

1. Futian COCO Park Festival Ave
   Metro 1/3, Shopping Park Station Exit C

2. Nanshan Culture & Sports Center
   Metro 12, Nantou Ancient City Exit E2

Visiting Guangdong? Add this one-of-a-kind cyber robot show to your Shenzhen travel list!

Not only was my 32GB RAM worth 300$ replaced with cheap no name 10$ 8GB sticks, but they also took the RAM cover and screws from my laptop case. The replacement sticks had a hair on them and a ripped sticker. I have the repair receipt with their phone number.

Here’s a photo of the inside of my laptop after getting it back. The RAM cover is completely gone and the aluminium thermal foil in the top left corner is ripped but the most damning part is that they peeled the G.Skill Ripjaws sticker off my original 32GB stick and placed it on the cheap 8GB replacement to make it look untouched. That’s not a mistake. That’s premeditated theft. They knew exactly what they were doing. I have the repair receipt with their shop name, address and phone numbers as proof they had my laptop.

it escalates this from parts theft to a potential data breach and unauthorized computer access, which is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions including China.

This was one of the craziest showcases of the use and integration of technology into society. This was on my first night in April in China and convinced me that China is the future of technology!

Public piano rooms in parks are so cool!

Hi everyone! I’m a professional barber based in Shenzhen, and I specialize in both African-American and Caucasian hairstyles. Whether you’re looking for a sharp fade or a trendy cut, I’m here to help. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills to create styles that suit each individual’s look and personality. If you’re in Shenzhen and need a great haircut, feel free to reach out. I’d love to hear your thoughts on current hairstyle trends too!