Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a cyclist's dream—so many dedicated bike lanes, and it's almost completely flat along the coastal routes. I rode from Nanshan to Yantian one morning and the ocean views along the express trail were unreal. The city has this electric, optimistic energy: new towers going up, skateboarders on the boardwalk, families flying kites on the beach. Every convenience is just a QR code away; I didn't carry cash the entire trip. Even the public toilets are spotless and have paper! A buddy of mine said to skip it for Hong Kong, but I'm glad I ignored him. Shenzhen is its own beast and I'm fully on board.

I moved here for work three months ago and my weekend visitor routine is now perfected. Start at the Walmart-like grocery place in Baishizhou for weird snacks, grab a fresh coconut water, then stroll along Shenzhen Bay Park. The views of the bay and the sheer greenery—palms, banyans, flowers all over—make it feel like a tropical futuristic city. People complain about the summer heat but the malls and subway are super cold. The food is mind-blowing: I had the best dim sum of my life in a tiny Chaozhou restaurant in Futian. This city is vibrant, convenient, and unpretentious. Absolutely love it.

Honestly Shenzhen might be one of the most underrated cities in China. I came for a two-day layover and stayed five. The skyline from the Ping An Finance Centre observation deck at golden hour is pure magic. Everywhere I went felt immaculately clean and safe—I was wandering the streets at 11pm with no stress at all. The metro system is modern and dirt cheap, and the food scene is a crazy mix of Cantonese classics and every regional Chinese cuisine. I also did a day trip to the Dapeng Fortress and walked through the old village lanes. 100% recommend, I'll be back.

Shenzhen surprised me as a very modern and walkable city, and the free entry to several museums and the contemporary art scene were big wins. I did the Huaqiangbei electronics market in the morning—total sensory overload in the best way—then spent a relaxing afternoon at Lizhi Park watching locals do tai chi. The only reason I'm not giving a 5 is the tourist information infrastructure: there's not much English guidance in the metro, and it took me forever to find a proper municipal map. Still, a really enjoyable city break.

I wanted to love Shenzhen, and there were moments I did—especially walking along the Shenzhen Bay boardwalk at sunset. But honestly, moving around the city as a non-Mandarin speaker was a real struggle. Most metro signs are in Chinese only beyond the station names, and not many taxi drivers understood my map when I showed it on my phone. Also, July humidity nearly did me in. The OCT Loft area was cool and the food was tasty, but I left with a mixed feeling. It's a great city if you know someone local to guide you.

Shenzhen is a dream for digital nomads and anyone who loves clean, modern urban spaces. I spent a week here and never ran out of things to do: hiking near Wutong Mountain in the morning, then exploring the tech district by afternoon, and ending with amazing street food at Shuibei. I even found a quiet little coffee place in Nantou Old Town that roasts its own beans – total gem. The city is so green and orderly, a little too tidy for some people, but I found it refreshing. I’ll definitely be back for another long weekend.