My top recommendation for Shenzhen is to stay in Futian district - with convenient transportation around the city and transit to Hong Kong.
If you are traveling with kids, I highly recommend staying in Jingju Hotel - a hotel designed with kids in mind, with super cool themed rooms.
Introduction
To be perfectly honest, Shenzhen wasn't high on the list of priorities in the itinerary. We knew it was a modern futuristic innovation hub, but for us it wasn't much more.
But since we were a bit tired after visiting Hong Kong, and we still had some time to spare, we decided to spend "1 or 2 days there". And I am glad we did as it turned out to be one of our favourite places in the whole trip that left us with a feeling that we need to come back again.
In the end we spent 4 days and 3 nights there, and if it wasn't for the weather - first prohibitively hot, then windy and rainy - we could have easily spent much more!
Shenzhen is an amazing place to visit with kids: it has amazing and modern museums, cool hangout places with delicious foods, great indoor playgrounds and multiple beaches (if, unlike us, you are willing to give up some of the precious time that you could spend for actual exploration of the city!)
Read along to discover some unique experiences and way to make the most of your time in Shenzhen!
Why go?
Shenzhen offers families a perfect blend of modern attractions and cultural experiences that will captivate both parents and children.
The city's child-friendly infrastructure, safe environments, and excellent public transportation make it an ideal destination for family travel.
Getting there
We arrived to Shenzhen from Hong Kong by metro, which was surprisingly easy and straightforward.
By metro: We were surprised to discover that you can reach Shenzhen from Hong Kong by metro. It is super easy, and gives you much more flexibility than arriving by train. You just need to take East Line to the border to:
- Lo Wu (Luohu District)
- Lok Ma Chau (Futian District)
When you arrive at the border, you get off and go through border and customs checks, and that's it - you are in Shenzhen and you can take a metro directly from there to where you need to go!
💡 Pro tip: In the metro to the border, there is a separate 1st class carriage. You can purchase an upgrade directly on the platform and you are good to go! This is a great option to get some extra comfort as the ride from Hong Kong island is quite long and along the way train will get crowded.
Be sure to purchase the ticket, there are checks along the way.
By train: Shenzhen is a big city and a transportation hub so it is accessible by train, but due to its southern location, it can take a long time to travel to the destination you are interested in.
💡Pro tip: Make sure to purchase tickets in advance as they do get booked out! Use Trip.com for the smoothest experience with easy cancelation!
- Hong Kong -> 0.3h
- Wuhan -> 4.5 h
- Changsha -> 3.5h
- Beijing -> 8h and above
- Shanghai-> 7h and above
- Chongqing -> 7h and above
- Kunming -> 7.5h
- Lhasa -> 43h
- Urumqi -> 47h
By plane: Most international visitors arrive via Hong Kong International Airport, followed by a train journey across the border, which takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
Alternatively, families can fly directly into Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, which connects to major cities across Asia and beyond.
Visiting Shenzhen fits very well within our autumn itinerary, that takes you around the cities around south-east China.
Where to Stay in Shenzhen with Kids
During our family trip to Shenzhen, we stayed in the Futian district and found it to be the perfect base for exploring the city with kids.
The central location, excellent metro connections, and abundance of family-friendly facilities made our stay incredibly convenient.
Read more about where to stay in Shenzhen:
Magda Sawyer
I recommend picking one of the following areas to stay:
- Futian District (Central Business District) – most convenient for first time visitors
- Nanshan District (Western Shenzhen) – home to Window of the World and Happy Valley, more relaxed vibe than central districts
- Luohu District (Eastern Shenzhen) – best for Hong Kong border access
Special mention to the hotel we discovered unfortunately after already arriving in Shenzhen – Jingju Hotel Shenzhen. It is super cool, family-friendly hotel in the centre of Futian District. And just look at those rooms:
When to go?
The ideal time to visit Shenzhen with children is during the October-December period when the weather is mild and humidity levels are lower.
Spring months (March-May) also offer comfortable temperatures and occasional cool breezes, perfect for outdoor activities and theme park visits.
It's best to avoid the summer months of July and August when the city experiences high temperatures and frequent rainfall, which can make sightseeing with kids challenging.
Consider planning your trip around major Chinese festivals like Chinese New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival to experience special celebrations, though be prepared for larger crowds during these periods.
Best things to do in Shenzhen with kids
Finally, let's get to the point of that blog post, which is for me to share our favourite experiences from our time in Shenzhen!
Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning
While it might sound dull to take kids to an urban planning museum, I assure you there is plenty to do for the kids.
The exhibitions are engaging and modern, and there is a special section dedicated for the kids to experiment with their own city designs.
Dafen Oil Painting Village
What started as a painting reproduction factory, is now becoming increasingly popular with creatives and tourists alike.
Your kids will simply love creating their own little masterpiece (and it will cost you next to nothing). Afterwards you can have a pleasant stroll around the quiet streets and admire beautiful paintings.
OCT Loft in Shenzhen
OCT Loft is a great place to spend a chilled afternoon, whether you are travelling with kids or not.
Located in an old industrial quartier of the city, it has been transformed into the major creative hub.
It is full of trendy cafés, foodie hot spots, galleries and exhibitions.
Yu Xin Bookstore
Great place to visit in the Shenzhen Bay Area. The bookstore is absolutely stunning, and you can combine it with a stroll around the nearby promenade and a ride on a giant Ferris Wheel!
Ping An Finance Center Observation Deck
Great place to admire Shenzhen panorama! Book your tickets in advance to skip long queues, especially on the weekend!
Meland Indoor Playground
For the bad weather or some downtime, I recommend visiting a Meland playground in Shenzhen! It is loads of fun for kids! They have multiple locations across the city, so you can easily find one near you. You can buy tickets on the spot, or online on Klook.
Read more about amazing indoor playgrounds in China to get the idea what to expect:
Ready to Plan Your Shenzhen Family Adventure?
✈️ Book your flights
🏨 Find family-friendly hotels
🚂 Reserve train tickets
🎫 Book kid-friendly activities
🚌 Book a tour
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