From HK to Shenzhen in 50 Minutes: Here's Why You Should

I swear in another life I was born SE Asian. The love and excitement I get this side of the pond compares to no other!

I had just been in Hong Kong for 2 days and three nights and I already knew I could stay so much longer. Especially, if visiting mainland China. The heat, the noise, the cultural difference, the fashion, the food! I wanted it all. But since I couldn’t have it all, I compromised on a quick visit to Shenzhen. Exactly the same thing I did 17 years ago when I first visited the country.

My idea of Shenzhen was that of a city of dupes. I remember visiting a huge mall where a much younger Lau was after the latest LV collection with Stephen Sprouse. They didn’t have it in stock they said, but if you come in two hours we’ll have it ready for you. And there it was, steaming hot as if just made, two hours later. That followed a visit to a Spa where we indulge into a massage and stayed the night . The morning after we came back to Hong Kong. It was all fairly easy, as I was also with some Hong Kong friends who sorted it all out.

How would it be, all this time later? And how would it be, going all by myself?

The Journey

After some research and a download from a good friend from HK, I learned that getting to the border between HK and Shenzhen has become easier than ever, especially now that the relationship between HK and mainland China has softened. A 50min ride with the East Rail Line/ MTR from Admiralty to Lo Wu and you are at the border.

You will need access to internet for pretty much anything so I had bought a Chinese e-SIM before hand. Other tips that were extremely useful were to download a good translate app as many people don’t speak English, WeChat for instant messaging with vendors and people in China, as well as Alipay International for making transactions in all shops in China, or for any other payments. I was pretty stunned by the app, which not only allows you to pay anything and everything, but also has access to public transport cards, the ability to order a local Uber (called DiDi), and much much more. All from Chinese, directly translated to the language of your choice. Oh, technology at its best.

Crossing the border was a surprisingly easy process. You will be asked to fill out a digital form, after which you’ll get a QR code. Digital prints on, and off you go.

The Arrival

luohu commercial city

What you see on arrival is very different to what Shenzhen city is today. I almost feel Lo Wu and Luohu Shopping Mall are what is left of the “dupe city” I used to know, except it is now more tired and less friendly. A lot of vendors cat calling you and very little patience for anything other than sell, sell, sell. I didn’t leave with any shopping bags this time, but the prices for what they were offering and speed at which they can provide is still very enticing.

But I was here to explore further this time, so after doing a bit of research, I went to where most locals go these days: the mix-C shopping mall. Getting a DiDi taxi was a bit of a long process due to the sheer amount of people ordering private transportation at the station, but once inside the car everything went smoothly.

The mixC mall is every shopper’s dream. I am really not a fan of shopping malls, but this was a mammoth. The biggest and the loudest, the better. A whole block only for restaurants, and very nice ones I must add. Another block only for the flagship store of Gentle Monster, which hosted an exhibition of local talent within it. Another block with local fashion, both street and luxury. The list continues. One could spend days there, and not see it all. I was speechless.

If you’d like to visit it for yourself, I recommend going for lunch to Shiheyuan (L2 Floor, Shop NL219) and try out their peking duck, it’s a must. Then venture in one of the shopping areas. I couldn’t tell you exactly where was what, I got lost a few times! But I loved stopping at most of the local Asian/ Chinese brands: from luxurious Songmont to MOF, to concept stores with many boutique-y brands that are now part of my go to like Yvmin and Monsecret (both jewellery brands).

I only had a day, so spent half of it here and then shifted gears into more cultural stuff. I had heard great things about Shenzhen Bay Culture Plaza and didn’t want to miss out on it. Locals call the museum in this plaza “the AirPods building” because of its resemblance to the ear phones and I must admit, they are not wrong.

This area was bonkers architecturally. Designed by MAD architects, it looked like you were going into a cave in space. There’s a couple of tunnels that are accessible to all and flooded with local tourists taking pictures, and a paid for museum exhibition which at the time of my visit hosted to of my favourite artists: Es Devlin and Man Ray. What a treat.

To add to it, I had a delicious ice cream after the museum closed, and just sat down and take in my surroundings. Some people enjoying walking by the riverside, others waiting for their drone to bring their food/ drink order from the sky. It was truly mesmerising.

I wanted to have more energy for one last stop: the zhongshuge bookstore, but I was done for the day.

Fourteen hours day, one border crossing, and not enough time. But then again, that's always the point. Leaves you wanting more.

TCB xx