USPs
Located directly to the north of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is emerging from the former British colony’s shadow. Rail and road connections have improved access to the Special Economic Zone and when the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is completed in 2016 or 2017, the Pearl River Delta region is set to become more economically integrated. Shenzhen evolved from a market town of 300,000 people in 1980 into an industrial powerhouse with a population that has now reached 15 million. The city has broadened its economic base and is home to a stock exchange and one of the world’s busiest container ports. Serving as the headquarters of a growing number of hi-tech companies, the city is often referred to as China’s “Silicon Valley of the East”. Shenzhen attracts entrepreneurs from throughout the country and corporate meeting planners in Hong Kong regularly take groups north to experience venues such as The St Regis atop the KK100 Tower (above), Shenzhen’s tallest building and an example of the modern architecture that is becoming a hallmark of the city.
Connections
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, 32km northwest of the city centre, mainly serves domestic routes, but a small number of carriers offers flights to Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor is the main cross-boundary road route. So along with the rail link, itineraries can span both cities. Hong Kong International Airport is also 30 minutes away by cross-border bus.
Venues
Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center – The main convention facility is in the revitalised Futian district, a short taxi ride (or two Metro stops) from the Hong Kong boundary crossing. With nine exhibition halls, it offers a total exhibition area of 105,000 sqm. The Four Seasons, Shangri-La and The Ritz-Carlton are nearby.
JW Marriott Shenzhen Bao’an – This new property is 15 minutes from the airport and has 10 multi-function venues offering a total 2,600 sqm of space. It boasts the largest ballroom in the city at 1,758sqm with a freight lift capable for cars and heavy props.
OCT Creative Exhibition Center – Located in Nanshan, one of Shenzhen’s six districts, the venue has 1,200 sqm of exhibition space across four floors.
Excursions
OCT Loft Creative Park – Industrial buildings dating back to the 1980s are now a hub for artist studios and creative industries. There are also exhibition spaces, shops, cafes and performance venues.
MH Centreville – This new area is the brainchild of the developers behind Mission Hills golf resorts and will feature a Hard Rock Hotel, convention facilities, retail and golf-themed leisure.
OCT East – Situated high in the mountains of Eastern Shenzhen, this massive theme park has a reproduction of an Alpine Swiss village, a narrow-gauge railway, a spa with outdoor mineral baths, an amusement park, a tea farm and floral garden. There are several hotels, each with a different theme.
Dameisha – A beach resort situated along the ocean on the sprawling city’s southern flank, Dameisha boasts sidewalk cafes, a stylish discount shopping mall, and several hotels, including the five-star Sheraton Dameisha Resort, which overlooks the beach.
Nanshan – This is one of the city’s six districts and lies in the southwest looking out to Shenzhen Bay. It has the more established visitor attractions such as Window of the World, featuring miniature models of world cities. Hilton is one of the hoteliers upping its presence in the area, which is also home to the Shenzhen Venice Hotel and a Westin.
