In 20 short years, Shenzhen has been transformed from a fishing village to a fast-track metropolis of over 10 million people. Burgeoning high-tech manufacturing, logistics and financial services industries have helped Shenzhen achieve the highest per capita GDP in mainland China, and yet, the environment has not been left behind, as Shenzhen was recently named an International Garden City and was also awarded the Global 500 Environmental Award.
Currency/Banking
Renminbi; the Chinese currency, is issued by the state bank, the People's Bank of China.
The standard unit of the Renminbi is yuan, with jiao and fen as the subsidiary units. Renminbi features the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, fifty and a hundred yuan. The abbreviation for Renminbi is RMB.
Conversion services are available at the hotel's front desk. Local banks are also readily available and please bring along your passport to facilitate exchanges. Banking hours for local banks are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, with half days on Saturdays. Foreign banks have slightly different hours. ATMs are also located in the hotel vicinity for convenience.
Taxi Fare
The starting fare for a taxi in Shenzhen is RMB 12.50 (US$ 1.8). The fare to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is around RMB 100, to Shenzhen Luohu Train station is around RMB 30, and to Shenzhen Lok Ma Chau Train Station is RMB 15.
Clothing
For visitors on business, business wear is the norm. On other occasions, casual or smart casual attire would be recommended through the day and night. Shenzhen belongs to subtropical with long summers, short winters and rich rainfall. The summer can be hot and humid; hence, light clothing is adequate.
Visas
Visitors to Shenzhen, China, require entry visa that is issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country prior to arrival. All passport must be valid and with sufficient blank pages for any visa stamps. The passport's expiration date must be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into China.
UK Citizens can apply for a visa at the border for RMB 450 (approx. USD 64) valid for a 7-day visitor's visa. Japanese and Singaporean will not require visa to enter China and can stay up to a maximum of 14 days.
All other nationalities including US citizens will have to obtain a valid visa prior to entering into Shenzhen, China which is HKD 450 for a single entry and HKD 590 for a double entry.
Health Requirements
No mandatory inoculations are required for this region except for travelers arriving from or via an infected area. It is advisable to get immunization against influenza, cholera, diphtheria and tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Japanese B Encephalitis, polio, rabies and typhoid. Travelers arriving from or via an infected area must hold a valid certificate of inoculation. As health requirements change without notice, please check with your local public health department for current required or recommended inoculations.
Language
The national language of China is Mandarin. Cantonese is also spoken in the city. However, English is encouraged to be learnt and spoken in Shenzhen; non-Chinese speaking visitors are advised to have their destination written down in Chinese to the taxi driver.
Electricity
Electricity supply in China is 220 volts, 50Hz, but sockets with adaptors are available in the hotel.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected though welcomed. You can tip anyway for excellent service. Most restaurants and hotels include a service charge as part of the bill, but you can still leave small change for the wait staff if you like.
Public Holidays
New Year’s Day: January 1
Lunar New Year: To celebrate Chinese New Year based on the lunar calendar –usually in January or February (Change annually) 3 days off (New Year's Eve, 1st and 2nd day of the first lunar month)
Qing Ming Festival: April 4, a festival to hold memorial ceremony for the ancestors. People often go to sweep and weed graves with whole family and take a walk in the countryside as well.
Labor Day: May 1
Dragon Boat Festival: The 4th day of the 5th lunar month based on the Chinese lunar calendar
Mid-Autumn Festival: The 15th day of the 8th lunar month, again this changes annually as it is based on a lunar calendar.
National Day: October 1 to October 3
Taxis
Taxis are easy to flag down, except during rush hours and wet weather. Only a few take credit cards. The starting fare is RMB12.5. There are three kinds of taxis identified by colors: red, yellow and green. Red taxi can run long distance; the yellow ones can only operate in the special economic zone; and the green ones can only operate outside the special economic zone.
Buses
Public buses are rarely used by visitors unless they are conversant in Mandarin. The buses can get very crowded during rush hours (6:30 - 8:30 a.m. and 5 - 7 p.m.). The bus fare is RMB 2 for non-air-conditioned buses and RMB 3 for air-conditioned buses.
Subway
Clean, modern and dependable, the Shenzhen subway is a convenient way of getting around the city. Tickets can be bought from the ticketing booth or machines, with fares ranging between RMB 2 and RMB 5.
Trains
There are two railway stations in Shenzhen, the Shenzhen Railway Station, also called Luohu Railway Station, has the most frequent trains departing to the other cities of China everyday. It is also the most important traffic hub between China's mainland and HK which is 20 minutes by car from the hotel. Additionally, the Huanggang Train Station located in Futian District connects to Lok Ma Chau in Hong Kong is another choice from Shenzhen to Hong Kong.
Ferry
Shekou Port is located in the south part of Nanshan District of Shenzhen with four regular lines to and from Zhuhai, Macau, Hong Kong as well as Hong Kong International Airport. It is a 30-minute drive from the hotel to Shekou Ferry station.
Airport
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) is the fourth largest airport in China. At present, there are about 107 internal and international airlines opened, connecting Shenzhen and 80 other cities both home and abroad. It only takes 30 minutes drive to the hotel. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is divided into Terminal A and Terminal B. Passengers can find boutiques, restaurants and bookstores while waiting for their flights.
Additionally, for visitors who travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, there is a convenient bus service available between Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport. The bus tickets can be purchased at either one of the airports.