Shenzhen Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Shenzhen tours and things to do in China’s dazzling boomtown on the Hong Kong border: tour the world’s landmarks in miniature at Window of the World, explore China’s cultures at Splendid China, gaze at the futuristic skyline, browse the Dafen oil-painting village and cross into Hong Kong. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
Explore Shenzhen by interest
Whatever brings you to Shenzhen — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Window of the World
Miniature landmarks.
ExploreSplendid China
Culture park.
ExploreCity & skyline
Futuristic city.
ExplorePrivate tours
Your own guide.
ExploreDafen art village
Painters’ hub.
ExploreHong Kong border
Two cities.
ExploreTheme parks
Fun for all.
ExploreShenzhen highlights
Parks & skyline.
ExploreTop attractions in Shenzhen
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Window of the World
Miniature landmarks.
Splendid China
Culture park.
City Skyline
Futuristic city.
Private Tours
Your own guide.
Dafen Village
Painters’ hub.
Hong Kong
Two cities.
Theme Parks
Fun for all.
Shenzhen
Tech boomtown.
City awayWindow of the World
Miniature landmarks.
City awaySplendid China
Culture park.
City awayCity Skyline
Futuristic city.
City awayPrivate Tour
Your own guide.
City awayDafen Village
Painters’ hub.
Border awayHong Kong
Two cities.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Shenzhen visitor asks before booking.
Autumn (Oct–Dec)
Dry and mild — the best time to visit.
Spring (Mar–Apr)
Warm and pleasant, with some rain.
Summer (May–Sep)
Hot, humid and prone to typhoons.
Winter (Jan–Feb)
Cool and dry, and rarely cold.
For theme parks
Autumn for the most comfortable days.
Best overall
October to December for dry, mild weather.
One day
A theme park and the skyline.
Two days
Add another park and Dafen village.
Three+ days
Add a Hong Kong crossing.
For theme parks
Window of the World and Splendid China.
For the city
The skyline and shopping districts.
For day trips
A trip across to Hong Kong.
By metro
The huge metro reaches the parks and centre.
Tours
Tours are easiest for combining several sights.
By taxi
Taxis and ride apps are cheap and handy.
On foot
Parks and districts are walkable once there.
Where to stay
Stay in Futian or near the OCT parks.
Chinese yuan
China uses the yuan; mobile pay is everywhere.
Window of the World
Allow a few hours for the whole park.
Splendid China
Time your visit for the evening shows.
Hong Kong
Check border and visa rules before crossing.
Dafen
Browse the studios and haggle for art.
Mobile pay
Set up mobile pay, as cash is rarely used.
Combos
Some tours combine two theme parks.
Theme parks
Park tours fill up — book ahead.
Hong Kong tours
Cross-border tours fill up — reserve early.
Private tours
Private guides book up — reserve early.
Window of the World
This top sight fills up — book ahead.
Splendid China
Culture-park tours fill up — reserve early.
Holidays
Chinese holidays are busiest — book far ahead.
Window of the World
Around €60–100 for a Window of the World tour.
Splendid China
About €55–90 for a Splendid China tour.
City tour
Roughly €40–80 for a city and skyline tour.
Hong Kong tour
Around €80–150 for a cross-border tour.
Dafen tour
About €23–50 for a Dafen art village tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Shenzhen through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Some rain.
- Best for
- Green & hot.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Typhoons.
- Best for
- Dry & mild.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
- Best for
- Cool & dry.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild.