Shenzhen Attractions Guide: Top Places to Visit

Shenzhen sits right across the bay from Hong Kong, and for Singapore travellers it is one of the easiest and most rewarding Chinese cities to explore. Check the top Shenzhen attractions in this guide.

Shenzhen's Top Attractions at a Glance

1. Ping An Finance Centre Free Sky

The centrepiece of Shenzhen's Futian skyline, the Ping An Finance Centre is the world's fifth-tallest building. Its Free Sky observation deck sits on the 116th floor at a dizzying 547.6 metres, offering a full 360-degree panorama of the city, the Pearl River Delta and, on clear days, the hills of Hong Kong. 

✅ Best things to do here

• Step onto the suspended glass viewing platform
• Watch the sunset over the skyline
• Try the VR and mirror-maze zones
• Spot Hong Kong on a clear day

2. Window of the World

One of Shenzhen's most iconic attractions, Window of the World packs more than 130 scaled-down replicas of the globe's greatest landmarks into one sprawling park. Stroll from the Eiffel Tower to the Pyramids of Giza and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in a single afternoon.

✅ Best things to do here

• Photograph the mini Eiffel Tower and pyramids
• Catch the evening light and firework shows
• Ride the small attractions inside the park
• Watch the nightly stage performances

3. Splendid China Folk Culture Village

Splendid China displays miniature versions of iconic Chinese sites such as the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, while the Folk Culture Village brings the customs, architecture and costumes of China's ethnic minorities to life through live performances and craft demonstrations. 

✅ Best things to do here

• Walk among miniatures of the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors
• Watch the ethnic folk performances
• Explore the minority village replicas
• Stay for the evening light show

4. Shenzhen Happy Valley

If you love rides, Happy Valley is Shenzhen's biggest theme park, organised into themed zones packed with roller coasters, water rides and family-friendly attractions, plus seasonal events and parades. With over 100 rides and shows, it can easily fill an entire day. 

✅ Best things to do here

• Ride the major roller coasters early
• Cool off on the water rides
• Catch a live parade or show
• Enjoy the park lit up at night

5. OCT East

Set on the slopes above Dameisha beach in Yantian District, OCT East was the first national-level tourism resort in China. It is a sprawling mountain retreat where you can ride the charming forest train through pine-covered valleys, wander landscaped gardens and catch sweeping views of the sea below. 

✅ Best things to do here

• Ride the forest train through the valleys
• Wander the landscaped Chaxi gardens
• Enjoy sea and mountain views
• Relax at a hillside café

6. Shenzhen Bay Park

Running for about 13 kilometres along the coast, Shenzhen Bay Park is the city's favourite place to walk, cycle and watch the sunset. The wide promenade fronts the Shenzhen-Hong Kong bridge, with mangrove wetlands at one end attracting migratory birds through the cooler months.

✅ Best things to do here

• Walk or cycle along the promenade
• Photograph the sunset and skyline
• Spot migratory birds (October to April)
• Take in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong bridge viewpoint

7. Dameisha Beach

For a proper seaside day, head to Dameisha, Shenzhen's largest public beach. The golden sand and gentle waves make it a hit with families, and the surrounding promenade is lined with cafés and restaurants.

✅ Best things to do here

• Swim and sunbathe on the sand
• Stroll the seaside promenade
• Grab a bite at a beachfront café
• Watch the sunset over the bay

8. Fairy Lake Botanical Garden

A green oasis in the Luohu hills, the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden is one of the loveliest escapes in Shenzhen. It is home to the tranquil Hongfa Temple, one of the most visited temples in southern China, as well as themed gardens, a fossil forest and the Shenzhen Paleontological Museum. 

✅ Best things to do here

• Visit Hongfa Temple for a moment of calm
• Wander the themed gardens
• See the fossil forest and paleontology museum
• Enjoy the free early-morning entry

9. Nantou Ancient Town

A fascinating blend of old and new, Nantou Ancient Town has stood on this site for more than 1,700 years, longer than any other part of Shenzhen. Its narrow lanes now mix restored Ming and Qing architecture with stylish cafés, galleries and independent shops.

✅ Best things to do here

• Wander the restored Ming and Qing lanes
• Browse independent galleries and shops
• Enjoy a coffee at a courtyard café
• Photograph the old architecture

10. Dapeng Fortress

About an hour from the city centre, Dapeng Fortress is a remarkably well-preserved Ming-dynasty coastal stronghold, more than 600 years old and the largest intact ancient military town in southern China. Inside its grey stone walls you will find narrow alleys, traditional courtyard homes and a quiet, unhurried pace.

✅ Best things to do here

• Walk the ancient stone walls and alleys
• Explore the traditional courtyard homes
• Visit the fortress museum
• Combine with the nearby Dapeng coastline

11. Gankeng Hakka Ancient Town

Gankeng is a charming restored Hakka village in Longgang District, where traditional watchtowers, ancestral halls and tiled roofs sit alongside boutiques, museums and teahouses.

✅ Best things to do here

• Wander the lanes and watchtowers
• Try Hakka dishes such as stuffed tofu
• Visit the Twenty-Four Histories Academy
• Photograph the lantern-lit alleys

12. OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park

Built from a converted industrial complex, OCT-LOFT is Shenzhen's creative heart. Red-brick factory buildings now house contemporary art galleries, design studios, bookshops and a thriving café culture, all set around leafy courtyards.

✅ Best things to do here

• Browse the contemporary art galleries
• Photograph the red-brick street art
• Shop at independent design studios
• Brunch at a trendy courtyard café