Splendid China (Jǐnxiù Zhōnghuá, 锦绣中华) is part of the theme park complex outside Shenzhen that includes the China Folk Culture Villages. All of China's natural and cultural landmarks are on display here, from the Great Wall to the Forbidden City to Suzhou's famous gardens, with the grounds roughly resembling a shrunken China and the landmarks laid out accordingly. There's also cuisine from all over China, traditional performing arts, and buses to shuttle patrons around so you can see it all in a day. It is more or less a condensed China tailored for the tourist, so if you plan on traveling outside of Shenzhen, it will provide a miniature taste of what's to come. Guangdong guide | Shenzhen guide Shenzhen attractions | Shenzhen flights Shenzhen Hotels | Shenzhen on the China Travel Blog more >>

Window of the World (Shìjiè Zhī Chuāng, 世界之窗) is a theme park directed at Chinese tourists new to world travel. In fact, rather than encourage the inquisitive noveau-riche to go out and actually see the world, Window of the World simply encourages them to go to Shenzhen where they can see all of mankind's major attractions in about two hours. While often described as miniature, the sites are by no means dollhouse-sized; the scale is roughly 1:15, so they're actually quite big. Everything's here—the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, Manhattan, the Grand Canyon—so if you're curious about China's take on the world, head to Shenzhen to gain a little perspective. Guangdong guide | Shenzhen guide Shenzhen attractions | Shenzhen flights Shenzhen Hotels | Shenzhen on the China Travel Blog more >>

The Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens (Xianhú Zhíwùyuán, 仙湖植物园) are located at the base of Mt. Wutong (Wútóng Shān, 梧桐山), the highest point in or around Shenzhen. The gardens are a nice, green retreat from the city's concrete towers and are a pleasant change of pace from industry and entertainment heavy Shenzhen. There is active botanical research going on in and around the grounds of the gardens and the collection is still expanding. Southern Chinese flora is well represented, with impressive palm and bamboo exhibits. Guangdong guide | Shenzhen guide Shenzhen attractions | Shenzhen flights Shenzhen Hotels | Shenzhen on the China Travel Blog more >>

Shenzhen is still primarily a businessman's destination, so it's no surprise that a world-class golf facility (touted as the world's largest) has popped up near town. The Guanlan Golf Club (Guānlánhú Gāo'ěrfū Qiú Huì, 观澜湖高尔夫球会), or the Mission Hills Golf Club, boasts well maintained grounds and a dozen 18-hole courses, each designed by a notable figure in the golf world. The golfing here is not cheap, but the resort complex features other entertainment and activities as well as the luxury Mission Hillls Resort hotel, making it a destination in itself. Guangdong guide | Shenzhen guide Shenzhen attractions | Shenzhen flights Shenzhen Hotels | Shenzhen on the China Travel Blog more >>

In conjunction with Splendid China, the China Folk Culture Village (Zhōngguó Mínsú Wénhuà Cūn, 中国民俗文化村) is one part of a two-part crash course in Chinese culture. Whereas Splendid China has shrunk down all the major historical attractions of China, the China Folk Culture Village has gathered together the traditions of the 56 ethnic minorities that make up less than 10% of the total population and built miniature villages on the grounds of the park, where minority festivals are celebrated and traditional life re-enacted. Guangdong guide | Shenzhen guide Shenzhen attractions | Shenzhen flights Shenzhen Hotels | Shenzhen on the China Travel Blog more >>

Dapeng was established in 1394 during the Ming Dynasty as a naval base used to combat rampant piracy in the South China Sea. The city's ancient gates bear witness to its military origins, while the well-preserved residential buildings and narrow twisting streets provide a vivid example of life in ancient imperial China.  The most impressive residences are those of the generals who ruled the garrison town, especially the complex that was home to General Zhenwei (Lai Enjue) with its extensive grounds, courtyards and halls. Dapeng also boasts a number of small but impressive temples. Shenzhen, prior to becoming China's premier boomtown in the late 1980s, had been known as "Peng City" after its imperial predecessor, and the remains of Dapeng today provide the glitz and kitsch of contemporary Shenzhen with welcome historical depth and perspective.   more >>