Location of headquarters of major Chinese IT companies such as Huawei and Tencent… Increase in number of travelers due to China’s visa-free policy
cheap food prices, food menus range from 4,000 to 8,000 won…Even luxury hotels have low prices.
A planned economic city created by Deng Xiaoping… A fishing village is rapidly developing into China’s Silicon Valley.
lack of cultural attractions such as ancient sites… High-rise observatories over 100 floors, luxury hotels, and shopping malls are tourist attractions.
Shenzhen, which faces the border (regional border) with Hong Kong, is called China’s Silicon Valley. It is indeed famous for being the headquarters of leading Chinese companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and BYD. Shenzhen was designated as a special economic zone in 1979 by Chinese leader deng Xiaoping, and is a planned city that has grown rapidly through active foreign capital attraction and reform and opening.
it is indeed a border city with a city border with Hong Kong, and actually, people, logistics, and other industries are actively exchanged and economic cooperation is taking place. What’s fascinating is that foreigners view Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China, as one country and expect freedom of movement, but the locals perceive them as different countries with separate ‘immigration procedures’.
![[르포]China’s Silicon Valley ‘Shenzhen’… China attracts attention as a travel hub thanks to visa-free entry](https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/12/15/130647420.2.jpg "[르포]China’s Silicon Valley ‘Shenzhen’… China attracts attention as a travel hub thanks to visa-free entry")
When traveling by land (car or subway), there is a separate gate for immigration screening at the entrance to the Shenzhen border in China. Conversely,when entering Hong Kong from Shenzhen,you must go through the normal immigration procedures to be able to travel. According to the travel industry, the number of Chinese travelers has increased significantly since Koreans were allowed to visit China without a visa, and Shenzhen has recently been attracting attention as a preferred travel city.
Korean tourists mainly use direct flights from Incheon to Shenzhen to arrive at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport,and the demand for visiting Shenzhen by land after entering Hong Kong is also increasing.
As visa-free entry into China was allowed, the reporter also visited Shenzhen, China, which he had been curious about, and looked around every nook and cranny. more than 10 high-rise buildings similar to Lotte world Tower have been built within the city, and as is the city where BYD’s headquarters is located, the proportion of electric vehicles on the road was quite high. Korean tourists were also seen throughout the city.
It is indeed said that before China’s visa-free visit policy, there were mainly IT-related business travelers. The description is that there was a high demand for Korean business travelers for business exchanges with IT companies such as Huawei, AliExpress, and Tencent.
the accommodation was chosen as the St. Regis Hotel in central Shenzhen, a favorite among Korean business travelers. ‘The St. Regis Shenzhen’ is within walking distance of major corporate headquarters and is about 35 minutes away from the international airport, making it the most preferred hotel for business travelers.
In fact, Shenzhen, China does not have a lot of things to see, such as historical sites. As small villages around Hong Kong were developed into planned cities,conventional attractions are lacking. Rather, high-rise buildings with urban design, night views, large shopping malls, and hotels with good views are considered Shenzhen’s representative tourist attractions.
<figure class="img_contThe St. Regis Hotel is also located in a 100-story high-rise building called ‘Kinky 100’. As of 2024,it is the second tallest building in Shenzhen and is widely known as the most famous building in Shenzhen. The hotel has a total of 25 floors, from the 75th to the 100th floor. The night view from the room on the 78th floor had a splendid sense of openness, and the high-rise buildings and city of Shenzhen were visible at a glance.During the day, the view is wide enough to see all the way to Hong Kong, providing an excellent view.The neatly organized city visible below the window was dominated by mid- to high-rise buildings of about 40 stories, and there were also several high-rise buildings of about 80 stories, centered around downtown Shenzhen. It is a unique scenery that cannot be seen in Korea.
The St. Regis Hotel is the highest-class hotel in the Marriott hotel chain. Among them,the St. Regis Singapore gained fame as Kim Jong-un’s lodging during the Trump-Kim Jong-un summit in 2020.
The St. Regis Shenzhen is also a hotel that attracts global business travelers, and is characterized by a dedicated staff (butler service) assigned to guests, providing a variety of support such as ▲hotel information ▲unpacking and packing ▲tour information near the hotel ▲restaurant reservations. You can think of it as playing the same role as a ‘butler’ working in a luxury mansion.
In addition, it is equipped with an infinity pool, a fitness center, a yoga room, spa services, and conference and meeting rooms of various sizes, and a wealth of additional facilities such as an Italian restaurant (95th floor), Regis Bar (96th floor), and a 360-degree observatory on the top floor. It is indeed prepared. Breakfast service was also excellent. A variety of Chinese dishes, including dim sum, were prepared based on the basic hotel breakfast menu. The taste and aroma of Chinese food was not strong, so foreigners were able to eat without burden.
<img src="https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/12/15/13064
As Shenzhen’s most popular high-rise building and hotel, the bar was packed with visitors on weekend evenings. People of all ages, from those in their 20s to 50s, gathered there, and it was so crowded that many people turned away as there were no seats. It seems to be popular because it is known as a place with the best night view in Shenzhen. Even if you are not staying at the St. Regis Hotel,I recommend visiting the Regis Bar when you come to Shenzhen.
The hotel rooms are luxurious but decorated with a polite and understated touch. It feels like an optimized space where you can work and relax at the same time. In fact, the desk and chair were pleasant so that office work could be done comfortably in the room, and the furniture was placed appropriately to allow for simple meetings. A hotel official said that the proportion of guests related to business trips is actually high, and inquiries from Korean IT companies are also steady.
There are two famous tourist attractions near the hotel, the so-called ‘Fake Market (Rohu Commercial City)’ and ‘Luxury Shopping Mall (Mix City)’.
The counterfeit goods market is located in one of the large shopping malls that formed promptly after crossing the border from Hong kong to Shenzhen. The name of the building is ‘Rohu Commercial Castle’ and it is a 5-story building with more than half of the stores selling counterfeit goods. They sell a variety of products, including luxury bags from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Chanel, as well as luxury shoes and luxury watches. Compared to genuine products, the overall level of completion was high, but there were some products that were of lower quality depending on the product. It is possible to negotiate the price, and locals advised that you should cut at least 50% off the price quoted by the merchant.
Inexpensive local restaurants are operating around the counterfeit goods market.As it is a border city close to Hong Kong, it mainly sells Hong Kong-style food, such as shrimp wonton noodles and pork rice bowls. Food
A 15-minute walk from the counterfeit goods market is the luxury shopping mall ‘Mix City’.It is indeed a shopping mall filled with expensive luxury brands such as Hermes,Dior,and Burberry.It is said to be the largest of Shenzhen’s luxury shopping malls, and there were many visitors not only from China but also from foreign countries. Contrary to media reports that China’s domestic economy is in a serious recession, there were many visitors and a notable number of consumers purchasing products.
‘KK Mall’, a large shopping center located in the Kingky 100 building where the St. Regis Shenzhen is located, is also considered a must-visit place in Shenzhen. Large supermarkets, Uniqlo, Decathlon, The North Face, Nike, Lululemon, Adidas, and various other restaurants opened and were crowded with visitors. The price range for each item in the restaurant is 30 to 50 yuan (6,000 to 10,000 won). It was more expensive than local restaurants, but the prices were much cheaper than restaurants in Seoul. Shenzhen is considered to be a very expensive city in China, but it is lower than Beijing and shanghai and much cheaper than Seoul.
However, you can purchase inexpensive but high-performing Chinese electronic products such as Huawei and Xiaomi at a lower price than in Korea, you can experience a variety of world-famous high-rise buildings, and you can take a look at the unique counterfeit product market that does not exist in Korea. It could be seen as a distinctive attraction of Shenzhen travel.
The overall city sanitation, including the streets, was at a similar level to Korea, and I felt safe enough that I didn’t have to worry about security if I walked mainly on major streets even late at night. In addition, the entry screening process felt less difficult compared to Shanghai and Beijing, and visa-free entry for Koreans was possible without any problems.
how can you identify counterfeit goods to avoid legal issues when shopping for deals?
Prices, making it an intriguing place for bargain hunters. However, buyers should always exercise caution and be aware of the legal and ethical implications of purchasing counterfeit goods.
The nearby ‘Mix City’ is a modern luxury shopping mall that offers a more upscale shopping experience. Here, visitors can find renowned international brands, high-end boutiques, and a wide variety of dining options, providing a stark contrast to the ‘Fake Market.’ This duality allows shoppers to explore both ends of the spectrum—whether they are on the hunt for luxury items or looking for irresistible bargains.
In addition to shopping, the St.Regis Shenzhen provides an elevated experience in terms of luxury accommodation. The hotel not only features elegantly designed rooms with stunning views of the city but also boasts extraordinary service. Guests can indulge in the hotel’s amenities such as the infinity pool and spa,or engage in business within its well-equipped conference rooms.
Day or night, the ability to unwind at the Regis Bar with its breathtaking view of shenzhen’s skyline is particularly appealing. The vibrant atmosphere is complemented by a sophisticated drink menu, making it a favored spot among both hotel guests and local residents.
a visit to Shenzhen, including a stay at the St. Regis, offers an intriguing blend of luxurious living, exciting shopping experiences, and unique cultural encounters that are hard to find elsewhere in Korea. Whether you seek relaxation, business, or leisure, Shenzhen invites you to experience everything from its high-class hotels to its bustling markets.