Shenzhen is worth a visit if spending more than a week in Hong Kong and the surrounding area.
You’ve basically got a few attractions:
- The view from the huge skyscrapers to see the sharp contrast between the rice fields of northern Hong Kong and the booming glass, steel and concrete structures of Shenzhen.
- A feeling of stepping into the future – Shenzhen at time of writing in 2026 felt like the most futuristic city in the entire world.
- A couple of hours in the wonderful Dafen Oil Painting village, the biggest in the world and with some nice coffee and restaurant places.
- Luohu Commercial City right on the border with Hong Kong for all the fake goods ranging from handbags to golf clubs.
But to be honest, I wouldn’t prioritise it over any of the classic or hidden highlights of Hong Kong, or over a day-trip to Macau. For details on these see, my tips on the entries for 2 days for the famous highlights of Hong Kong, 2 days hidden highlights of Hong Kong, and a Day trip to Macau from Hong Kong
