Attractions · Shenzhen

Window of the World is Shenzhen's signature theme park, with miniature models of 130 famous sights from around the world arranged in five zones: Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Oceania. Highlights include the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids, the Sydney Opera House and Niagara Falls. A theme park of miniature world landmarks, it brings the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids and more into one view and suits a family day out. Tip: see the miniatures by day, then watch the song-and-dance gala and fireworks in the evening. Practical info: the park is at 9037 Shennan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen; ticket about ¥220; opening hours 09:00–21:30. Best season: autumn (October–December) is pleasant; spring (March–May) is warm and comfortable. Combine with Shenzhen Museum, Nantou Ancient Town and Lotus Hill Park for a half- or full-day route. Confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before you go and allow ample time.

Tip: See the miniatures by day, then watch the song-and-dance gala and fireworks in the evening.

• Address: 9037 Shennan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
• Ticket: About ¥220
• Opening: 09:00–21:30

Shenzhen Museum was founded in 1981 and now has a history and folk-culture venue and an ancient-art venue. The history and folk-culture venue in Civic Center Block A has permanent displays on 'Ancient Shenzhen', 'Modern Shenzhen', 'Shenzhen Folk Culture' and 'The History of Reform and Opening Up in Shenzhen', running from the Neolithic Xiantouling site at Dapeng to the building of the special economic zone. Its collection is strong in Shenzhen archaeology, objects from the reform era and folk artefacts. The first stop for understanding why Shenzhen is Shenzhen, its galleries on ancient and modern Shenzhen, folk culture and reform make clear the journey from fishing village to first-tier city; it is free, right in the Civic Center, and pairs well with Lotus Hill. Tip: after booking, enter through Civic Center Block A; see the reform galleries first, then climb Lotus Hill to the Deng Xiaoping statue — half a day in all. Practical info: the museum is at Civic Center Block A, Fuzhong Road, Futian District, Shenzhen; admission free (reservation required); opening hours 10:00–18:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 17:30).

Tip: After booking, enter through Civic Center Block A; see the reform galleries first, then climb Lotus Hill to th…

• Address: Civic Center Block A, Fuzhong Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 10:00–18:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 17:30)

Nantou Ancient Town was first built in 331, the sixth year of the Eastern Jin Xianhe era, and was the earliest administrative centre in the Shenzhen area, serving as the seat of Xin'an County in the Ming and Qing. The old town retains the south gate, the Xin'an county office, the Dongguan Guild Hall and the Baode Shrine, and the street pattern is still legible. After renovation in 2019 it gained design shops, restaurants and exhibitions and became a model of old-town renewal; venues usually close on Mondays. Built in 331, it is the source of the city of Shenzhen and the seat of the Ming and Qing Xin'an county office. Today the old town keeps the south gate, the county office, the Dongguan Guild Hall and rows of arcaded buildings, mixed with cafés and small design shops — good for a slow half-day. Highlights include the design quarter. Tip: it is more interesting seen alongside Shenzhen Museum; the food streets are lively in the evening, and Metro Line 12 stops at Nantou Ancient Town. Practical info: the old town is north of Nantou overpass, Nanshan District, Shenzhen; admission free (some venues require booking); open all day (venues about 10:00–18:00, closed Mondays).

Tip: It is more interesting seen alongside Shenzhen Museum; the food streets are lively in the evening, and Metro L…

• Address: North of Nantou overpass, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
• Ticket: Free (some venues require reservation)
• Opening: Open all day (venues about 10:00–18:00, closed Mondays)

Lotus Hill Park is Shenzhen's central city park, covering 194 hectares. The hilltop square holds a bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping, a symbol of Shenzhen's reform and opening-up spirit. Highlights include the Deng Xiaoping statue and Kite Square. The green lung at the centre of the city, its hilltop square with the Deng Xiaoping statue looks over the whole of Futian CBD and the Civic Center axis. Tip: climb to the top towards evening to enjoy the brilliant night view of Shenzhen's CBD. Practical info: the park is at 6030 Hongli Road, Futian District, Shenzhen; admission free; opening hours 06:00–23:00. Best season: autumn (October–December) is pleasant; spring (March–May) is warm and comfortable. Combine with Window of the World, Shenzhen Museum and Nantou Ancient Town for a half- or full-day route. Confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before you go and allow ample time. In peak season or on holidays, book in advance, travel off-peak and allow time for queues and security checks.

Tip: Climb to the top towards evening to enjoy the brilliant night view of Shenzhen's CBD.

• Address: 6030 Hongli Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: 06:00–23:00

Dapeng Fortress, fully named the Dapeng Guard Thousand-Household Fortress, was first built in 1394, the twenty-seventh year of the Ming Hongwu era, under the South Sea Guard, and was an important coastal military stronghold in Lingnan. The town measures 345 metres east–west and 285 metres north–south, with walls 6 metres high and about 1,200 metres around. In the Ming and Qing it resisted the Portuguese, Japanese pirates and British colonisers, and inside survives the Zhenwei General's Residence of the Qing general Lai Enjue, who fought the British; it is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Shenzhen's name Pengcheng comes from this fortress. A coastal guard fortress first built in 1394, it retains its walls and Ming–Qing lanes, a rare 600-year-old monument in Shenzhen. Highlights include the south gate tower, the Ming and Qing grey-brick lanes and the coastal defence walls. Tip: about an hour's drive from the city centre, it can be combined with Jiaochangwei and Dongxichong; the south gate tower gives a view over the whole town, and there are fewer visitors towards evening. Practical info: the fortress is at Pengcheng Village, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen; admission free; open all day.

Tip: About an hour's drive from the city centre, it can be combined with Jiaochangwei and Dongxichong; the south ga…

• Address: Pengcheng Village, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day

Dameisha Beach Park lies on Dameisha Bay in Yantian District, next to OCT East, and is Shenzhen's free public beach. The park is laid out between mountain and sea, its tree-shaded viewing promenade linking plazas large and small amid coconut palms; the beach slopes gently, swimming areas are clearly marked, and showers and lockers are provided. Highlights include the urban beach swimming area, the seafront viewing promenade, the palm plaza and direct metro access. A free urban beach reached directly by metro, with a shaded promenade linking palms and plazas, it is Shenzhen's classic place for swimming and sea views. Tip: it is crowded in summer and on holidays, so go in the morning; exits A and B of Dameisha Station on Metro Lines 2 and 8 lead straight there, and swim rings and parasols are rented on site. Practical info: the park is at 9 Yanmei Road, Yantian District, Shenzhen; admission free; opening hours 06:30–23:00 (cleared from 23:00). Best season: autumn (October–December) is pleasant; spring (March–May) is warm and comfortable.

Tip: It is crowded in summer and on holidays, so go in the morning; exits A and B of Dameisha Station on Metro Line…

• Address: 9 Yanmei Road, Yantian District, Shenzhen
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: 06:30–23:00 (cleared from 23:00)