Lifestyle in Shenzhen

With an incredibly diverse range of entertainment options, Shenzhen offers plenty of things to see and do. This vibrant Chinese city offers residents many shopping and dining experiences to meet their every desire, as well as a huge variety of nightclubs, pubs, and bars.

If you prefer to spend time in the great outdoors, you will also find plenty of attractions and activities to keep you occupied during your stay in Shenzhen.

Shopping in Shenzhen

Expats in Shenzhen will have an abundance of excellent shopping options. The city is often hailed as a shopper’s paradise: from malls to markets, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Luohu Commercial City is one of the largest shopping malls in Shenzhen. This centre mainly specialises in cheap dupes of world-famous brands, and shoppers won’t have to look far to find a good bargain.

Other popular shopping malls in Shenzhen include The Mixc and the expansive COCO Park.

As Shenzhen has expanded, several outdoor markets have sprung up around the city. Markets such as the farmer’s market in Nanshan and Shekou Market are conveniently located in popular expat areas of Shenzhen. They offer residents an exciting outing and cultural experience, as well as a chance to taste local cuisine.

The shopping streets in Shenzhen are some of the most iconic and unique shopping options in China. The most popular of these is Dongmen Pedestrian Street, located in the Luohu district. Here, you can find everything from shoes and clothing to souvenirs and electronic goods.

Nightlife and entertainment in Shenzhen

If you’re looking to enjoy a night out in Shenzhen, you will not be disappointed. Most of the popular expat neighbourhoods in the city have a wide selection of nightclubs, bars and cocktail lounges for residents to enjoy.

Central areas such as Shekou and Luohu have high concentrations of nightclubs. These areas also boast other attractions like live music venues, karaoke lounges, and sports pubs. Thanks to the extensive public transport network, getting around the city at night is also easy.

Sports and outdoor activities in Shenzhen

Nature lovers in Shenzhen will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Just a short distance out of the city, Yantian and Longgang offer a wide selection of beach resorts for city dwellers looking to escape the bustle of Shenzhen.

Hiking is another popular outdoor activity in Shenzhen. Hikers can enjoy the beautiful trails around Wutong Mountain for a fun day out or even a multi-day hike over a weekend.

Fitness enthusiasts needn’t venture far from the city, though. You can find gyms and indoor swimming pools in Shenzhen’s central districts. Some types of accommodation, including apartment complexes and serviced apartments, may have these amenities on-site, so you may not even need to leave your home.

Meeting people and making friends in Shenzhen

Meeting people and making friends will likely be your top priority when moving to Shenzhen. This will likely be one of the most daunting aspects of the move, but with time, you’ll feel right at home in the city. Many expats join clubs or other interest groups like running and book clubs.

Volunteering is another great way to meet people while contributing to a worthy cause. If you’d like to learn Mandarin, you can join a language exchange, which will allow you to meet and make friends with locals.

Useful links

• Shenzhen Meetup
• Shekou Hash House Harriers
• A Heart for China