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Guides for the Business Traveler
Shenzen (2007)
4 hours in Shenzen (2007)
2007 Business Traveler 4-Hour Guide Sponsored by Korean Air. Brent Hannon takes in bargain shopping, unusual theme parks, a Soviet aircraft carrier, and a ship that’s now a hotel, in booming Shenzen.
 | Lo Wu Shopping Center This multi-storied labyrinth of shops and stalls is just steps from the Lo Wu train station and right across the border from Hong Kong. But Hong Kong is already far away: Lo Wu is pure China. Shopping here is a full-on experience, so be prepared to bargain; that is, look carefully, decide how much you want to pay, and offer about 30 percent less, always with a smile. Lo Wu sells everything from watches and hand-carved items—it takes about 30 minutes to get your name engraved —to silks, brocades, costume jewelry, handbags, shoes, sports gear, and cheap clothing galore. Be sure, that includes designer knock-offs. Forget about credit cards. In Shenzhen, as in the rest of China, cash is king. |  | Window of the World Ask any native for the top tourist site in town, and they'll point you straight to Window of the World, a 15-minute taxi ride from Lo Wu station, in Nanshan district. This is a theme park that features giant, well-executed miniatures of the Eiffel Tower, Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, and so on. In so doing, it reflects the history of Shenzhen, a brand-new boom-town that sprang from the rice fields only a generation ago, when it became China's best and brightest special economic zone. What Shenzhen lacks in traditional attractions, it makes up for in new ones, and Windows of the World is one of the best. Entry RMB120 |  | Splendid China A short hop away is Splendid China, which is also worth seeing, because these folks really have managed to condense China into a truly representative theme park. The attractions themselves are eye-catching enough, including replicas of the Potala Palace, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Mogao Caves, Forbidden City, and so on, each one correctly positioned by geography. But the real stars of Splendid China are the people. Ethnic groups have been imported from around the country: Tibetans weave carpets, horsemen from Inner Mongolia groom their ponies, and chefs from around China cook and sell local specialties. Here, you can learn loads about modern China in just a few minutes, and have fun doing it. Entry RMB120 |  | Chiwan Tianhou Temple This temple dedicated to Tianhou (or Mazu), the patron saint of seafarers, is a cab ride away from Splendid China, but culturally, it belongs in another world. The Chiwan Tianhou temple is almost 1,000 years old, and is a fine example of traditional temple feng shui: it faces the sea, with the main entrance on the south, and is fronted by water and aligned on a north-south axis. As in all Daoist temples, the iconography is graphic and intense; take a moment to absorb the carved and painted door guards and dragons that protect the main entrance, the octagonal windows, and the icons that dance along the rooftops, rendered in brightly colored glass and ceramic. Don't be put off by the recent changes; like all temples in China, this one is frequently renovated. Entry RMB15 |  | Minsk World The Minsk, a Soviet aircraft carrier built in the 1970s, is another winner created by the always-busy folks at Shenzhen Tourism. The ship's battle-ready conditions have been painstakingly recreated, and the MIG fighters and 16-foot torpedoes—sans nuclear tips—combined with smiling tour guides in sailor gear, and movies about the ship and the Soviet Navy, make this a hugely popular site. The Minsk impresses with it sheer size (the acres of space on the open decks, and the vast intricate corridors below), but also with its detail, including insight into the lives of the sailors who once made this ship home. The nostalgia is lightened by a song and dance show that takes place on the deck every hour. Minsk World is in Shatoujiao, Yantian District. Entry RMB120 |  | Near the Ming Hua The Ming Hua, a landlocked ship currently serving as a hotel, is a curiosity. It is also a landmark, because the nearby streets host the city's densest collection of restaurants and pubs. The city movers want to turn this seaside zone into a replica of Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong's famous food-and-drink neighborhood. It's not there yet, but the early signs are encouraging. A quick stroll through the area will reveal Indian, American, Thai and Italian restaurants, but don't stop until you find some classic Cantonese. Hint: the sign will say seafood, and the interior will be lively and re nao (hot and noisy). Stir-fried shrimp and steamed fish are local specialties. Near Sea World, in Shekou district. |
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