Modern-day Shenzhen is a Cinderella story of the transformation of a fishing village into a global tech megalopolis in only a few decades. There are so many interesting places to see and visit that are not on ordinary tourists’ “must-see” lists!

Where I stay in Hong Kong is only 30 minutes by East Rail train to the border crossing to Shenzhen at Lo Wu and Lo Ma Chau, and slightly longer by bus at Liantang. The temptation is to have frequent visits there. And I gladly succumb to the temptation on average twice a week!

Apart from frequenting the Huaqiang area for the latest gadgets and elsewhere for good food and excellent services at half the price charged in Hong Kong, my research has taken me to other interesting places. Here are 6 of them, all with metro stops nearby!

Melania Town 欧洲小镇 

Dateline 4/9/25

I was in Hong Kong for barely 48 hours when I unearthed this first gem!

I have not been able to find out why it’s called Melania Town but the Chinese name “European Town” suggests that it’s just a name to evoke the European theme of this commercial area. 

Most visitors who get off at Window of the World metro station on Line 1, head straight for the eponymous fee-paying (¥220) theme park at Exit K. Yet this adjacent themed commercial district unfolds in its full candy-coloured glory as soon as one emerges from Exit H1 – and it’s free!!

Opened in July 2024, the buildings are inspired by various European styles. Apart from a hotel, there’re restaurants and cafes as well as boutique stores selling souvenirs and clothing, and stalls for street food.

It was a brilliant sunny day. When I arrived before 10.00, there were very few people around. My jetlag dissipated as I snapped away to my heart’s content! 

Dafen Oil Painting Village 大芬油畫村

Dateline 14/10/25

This “village” consists of a few streets just off a busy main road, a short walk from Dafen metro station on Line 3 (Exit A1) 

Dafen Oil Painting Village is a fascinating and unique place. Its story began in the late 1980’s when a Hong Kong businessman moved his oil painting factory to Dafen to take advantage of lower rent and labour costs. Then the village exploded in size as more artists and workshops moved in, fueled by massive global demand for affordable decorative art. It became the global epicenter for mass-produced, hand-painted oil paintings. At its peak over 60% of the world’s oil paintings were produced and masterpieces reproduced here!

It’s an ideal place to find an affordable oil painting to decorate a blank wall as there’re many shops selling original paintings or reproduced masterpieces of all sizes.

Nowadays Dafen Oil Painting Village has a bohemian vibe about it. People can watch artists at work….

Or for as little as ¥30, people can try their hand at painting themselves….

There’s an art museum displaying works by local artists 

The Eastern Overseas Chinese Town Tea Valley 东部华侨城茶溪谷 

Dateline 11/10/25 

This 9-square-kilometre complex was opened in 2007. It’s a theme park within the larger OCT East ecological resort. The architecture was inspired by Lake Interlaken. The sightseeing train that passes through the mountains and forests affords spectacular views.

As it’s not a new attraction, it wasn’t crowded at all when I visited with my brother and sisters on a Saturday. We crossed the border at Lo Ma Chau from Hong Kong. There’re so many suggested routes, but we hailed a Didi ride outside Huangbeiling Metro station on Line 2. It took nearly 30 minutes and cost under ¥40 (£4!) It would have cost an arm and a leg in the UK!

Lianhuashan Park 

Dateline 10/11/25 

I hopped on the train heading for Lo Ma Chau on a whim as I passed Shatin station. I’d wanted to visit Lianhuashan Park for a while, so when I read about the Bougainvillea Exhibition at the park from 7th to 21st November, I decided to be spontaneous!

It’s incredibly easy to get to Lianhuashan Park, just 4 stops on Line 4 from Futian checkpoint to Children’s Palace Station Exit F1. It’s well signposted to the Bougainvillea Exhibition. 

It was already crowded when I got there around 10.00. The vibrant colours of the Bougainvilleas and away from the crowds I was happily engaged for nearly 2 hours

Shenzhen Cultural and Art Palace

Dateline 13/11/25 

I thought Shenzhen Cultural and Art Palace was a single venue, a sort of repurposed ancient palace of some sort. In fact it refers to a large-scale integrated cultural complex of a group of ultra-modern buildings – Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning and the Civic Centre being the most iconic. 

Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning

This statue called “Untitled (Sexy Robot walking)” is by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama. It’s on display from 12/10/2025 to 1/11/2026

This mural is made up of thousands of 4-colour dots by Chinese artist Yang Mian

Civic Centre

The Shenzhen Civic Centre is a prominent government building that integrates administrative, cultural, and public functions. It features a modern design with a roof shaped like a mythical roc bird spreading its wings, symbolising Shenzhen’s growth. The complex includes government offices, the Shenzhen Museum, and a large public square that leads to the southern exit of Lianhuashan Park

Dameisha Seashore Park

Dateline 17/11/25 

According to weather forecast it was to be overcast and the temperature set to “plummet” to as low as 12°C from 18 November. I decided to have one more solo foray into exploring Shenzhen while it was still warm and sunny. I settled for Dameisha Seashore Park. 

From the Liantang Checkpoint, it’s just a 30-minute train ride on Line 2 to Dameisha. The station was spacious and spectacular. Above ground, a modern seaside resort emerged with high-end hotels, spacious green space and expansive beach with fine sand. It’s not a “hidden gem” but a well-tended public beach. It exuded relaxing and vibrant vibes at the same time, probably because it’s not too crowded! It was a great place to while away a couple of hours.

What a joy it was to feel the warm sun under a blue sky by the seaside in the latter part of November ……. without the holiday crowds!

There’re so many new and interesting places to explore just across the border from Hong Kong! No wonder that half of my sojourn in Hong Kong in 2025 is in fact spent in Shenzhen, when not venturing further afield in China!