Shenzhen Layover Guide (SZX)

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Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) is the major international and domestic airport serving Shenzhen, Guangdong Province in the south part of China. It is located 32 km (20 mi) from Shenzhen city center. The airport has had commercial flights since it was opened in 1991 and serves as the hub for many local airlines. Shenzhen is a leader in global technology as well as a major economic hub known for its industries, ports, and tourism.

Can you leave Shenzhen Airport (SZX) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
It's possible to visit Shenzhen, China during a layover with a visitors visa. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

China Organized Tours

Day Tour to Dapeng Fortress and Jiaochangwei Seashore

Spend a day exploring Dapeng Fortress which is a living history museum. Discover insightful stories about this relic and explore the village built in 1394. The fortress faces Daya Bay, and has beautiful views. It is only a 20 minute walk to the Jiaochangwei seashore. Where the tour pauses for relaxation. After this enjoy quality further leisure time in Dongmen Old Street back in downtown Shenzhen exploring the local street food. » book this tour

Shenzhen City and Theme Parks Wonderful One Day Tour

Shenzhen is one of the most rapidly-developed cities in China. This one day tour will help you discover the charm of this vibrant and technological city. The Shenzhen Museum of History & Folk Center has more than 20,000 pieces of cultural relics that show the civilization of China as well as the development history of Shenzhen. After that head to the Shangri-la Hotel for lunch. This will be followed by a visit to the most famous theme park in Shenzhen, Splendia China & China Folk Culture Villages. Here, there are more than 70 famous scenic wonders from China in miniature making it the world’s largest display of miniature landmarks. There are also shows of folk arts, customs, and dances. » book this tour

Shenzhen Private Day Trip

Shenzhen is a relatively new city that was developed in the past 30 years. A visit to Shenzhen Museum will show you history dating back to centuries ago with regards to human habitation in the region. Shenzhen museum generally gives an excellent overview of the area’s history, from prehistoric times to this present day. You will explore Shenzhen Splendid China Folk Culture Village which displays different ethnic groups in China and their folk culture. Shenzhen Dafen Village offers several oil paintings studios and shops. The Shenzhen Museum has many exhibitions from the city as well as relics from South China. Visit all these places are available on this one-day tour. » book this tour

China Things to do / Sightseeing

OCT Loft Creative Culture Park

Shenzhen proves anyone who thinks the city is somehow ancient wrong with an attraction like the OCT loft.The city has become a major attraction for innovators, designers, and artists. Several tourists feel even more at home in the city’s boho enclave, OCT Loft. Found in a former factory district, it now boasts of hosting numerous art galleries, bookstores, live music venues, fun watering holes and coffee shops.Its contemporary Art Terminal alone which covers 3000 square meters is a good reason to spend at least one afternoon exploring this vibrant corner of the beautiful city.

Time required: 2 hours.

Airport to here: It takes almost 18 minutes to get here by taxi or 45 minutes by bus.

Sea World

The government decided to capitalize on the reputation it had built as a spot popular for its international scene and this benefited the western-style entertainment zone with a total revamp in 2003. Sea world is a wonderful place to enjoy your afternoon with the presence of chilled-out beer gardens and more raucous clubs. You may confuse Sea World with Shenzhen’s marine park in Xiaomeisha.

Time required: 3 hours.

Airport to here: It usually takes 20 minutes to get here by taxi or 1 hour and 10 minutes by bus.

Window of the World

A kitsch experience is one of the main pieces of evidence that one has visited this wonderful city in China and this can be found at Window of the World, or preferably, a ‘mini-globe’, where one can find amazing replicas of the Eiffel tower, the Niagara Falls and the leaning tower of Pisa-all in miniature. In one place! Wow!!. Almost 130 tributes to global attractions are dotted all over the park, and this offers a glimpse at how entertainment developers portray the outside world in a country that opened up to the global market about 3 decades ago, after many years of isolation.

Time required: 2 hours.

Airport to here: It takes about 20 minutes to get here by taxi or 40 minutes by the line 1 subway.

Meridian View Center

To get a memorable and beautiful view of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border,you should head to Diwang Mansion, one of the tallest buildings in the city which is located on the 69th floor at a height of 384 meters. The Meridian View Centre avails telescopes with which you can view the huge city in all its glory and magnificence. Be ready to see strips of green entwined with the glimmering skyscrapers, recent architectural wonders and more.

Time required: 1 hour.

Airport to here: Averagely, you can get here by taxi in 25 minutes or 40 minutes by bus.

Nanshan Mountains

Taking time to visit the countryside in Shenzhen is a must! The Nanshan mountains in Shekou have proven to be a particularly memorable and enjoyable getaway. The beautiful views of the ocean and moderate climbs provide tranquillity and its remoteness provide a wonderful contrast to the overcrowded and almost always busy city.

Time required: 2 hours.

Airport to here: It takes is 15 minutes to get here by taxi or by bus for nearly 1 hour.

Futian Central Business District

The Central Business District is a one-stop location modern architecture fanatics.Home to an astonishing new city government building alongside a vast library, concert hall and youth palace, the district easily tells of the Shenzhen story-it’s bold, impressive, futuristic and it only started to come into its own after the late ’90s. Stretching into the sky is the Ping An Finance Centre, which is one of the world’s tallest buildings, being first tallest in Shenzhen and second in China.

Time required: 1 hour.

Airport to here: It usually takes 20 minutes to get here by taxi or 40 minutes by bus.

Luohu Commercial City

The Luohu Commercial city is a well known Spot in Shenzhen, that can boast of designer bags going for high street prices alongside businesses offering tailor-made suit services. While you’re here, you may want to take advantage of a soothing and affordable massage, as is usual for travelers and locals in Shenzhen.

Time required: 2 hours.

Airport to here: 25 minutes by taxi or 40 minutes by bus.

Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches

Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches aren’t far apart from each other stretches along the eastern coastline of Shenzhen by 9 kilometers in length. Dameisha is abundant in reefs, caves, islands and beautiful cliff sides. The beach usually gets busy on public holidays. Xiaomeisha beach is situated further along the coast and is an alternative to people who want to be at a quieter spot.

Time required: 2 hours or more.

Airport to here: It usually takes about 42 minutes to get here by taxi.

Things to Do in Shenzhen Airport (SZX)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
There are numerous lounges in each terminal Airport. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
There are many hotel options near the airport, even one within the airport at Terminal 3. » view all or book an airport hotel online

Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
There are designated rest areas within the airport. Legang Leisure Area is open 24 hours a day.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free Wi-Fi is available at Shenzhen Airport.

SIM Card: There are several shops within the airport that sell SIM cards. » buy a global sim card for China, Shenzhen that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Metered Taxis are available 24 hours a day at Arrival halls.

Train: The airport has a connection to the metro line 1. (more info).

Bus: Local bus lines serve the airport from bus zones outside the terminals (more info).

Shuttle: There is an Airport Express shuttle bus.

Car rentals: Car rentals are available onsite from desks found at each terminal in the airport. » view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: The parking lots are found close to each terminal.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There is luggage storage at the 4F Departures Hall. » book a luggage storage or locker at Shenzhen Airport (SZX) online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks