How About Shopping in Shenzhen?

Shopping in Shenzhen

If there ever was a time to shop in Shenzhen, it has to be now when the economy in the ‘real world’ is in such a dreadful state. Prices in Shenzhen are still well worth the journey. The tailors, the pearl shops, semi-precious jewellery makers, the designer fashion outlets, the curtain shops, the bedding shops ,etc offer great value. Not only that. Shopkeepers have had a hard time surviving the dramatic slowdown that happened during the Olympics as so many shoppers simply couldn’t get visas to travel to Shenzhen. Shopkeepers are now even more eager to do business and to negotiate.


A little bit about visas

Thankfully, the Olympics are over and the self-punishing China visa restrictions have been relaxed. It is once again possible to get a 5-day single entry visa to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone at the Shenzhen border. If you plan to go to Shenzhen only once or twice , this is the cheapest and easiest way to get your visa.

When you do apply for a visa at the border, you are expected to pay in RMBs so change your cash before you arrive in Shenzhen.

The cost of a Shenzhen border visa varies by passport holder. Passport holders from ‘reciprocal countries’ pay 160RMB. Those holding passports from ‘non-reciprocal’ countries pay more and the price varies by country. Reciprocal countries include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most European countries.

The UK and the US are ‘non-reciprocal’ countries. US passport holders cannot obtain a visa at the Shenzhen border. UK passport holders can. The cost is about 460RMB.

China Visas

If you would rather get a China visa, i.e. one that allows you to travel beyond Shenzhen, for example if you want to go to the Guhe Antique Market in Zhuhai, you need to get your visa at the Chinese Government Building in Wanchai North or at a China Travel Service Bureau (or any other visa granting agency). If you want to get an idea of prices at the government office, check out their website at www.fmcoprc.gov.hk


New Border Crossing

There are now two pedestrian border stations that can be reached by Hong Kong’s MTR urban transport. In fact, taking the MTR is the easiest and fastest way to go. The second and newest pedestrian border station is at Lok Ma Chau which takes passengers to the Futian part of Shenzhen. On the Shenzhen side, this station is called ‘Huanggang Station’. A lot of people use this border crossing if they’re going to a spa or if they’re going to play golf. However, the Lowu border crossing is still the best one to use if you’re going shopping. From here, you can go to Lowu Commercial City or to Dongmen, which is where all the locals love to shop. Going to the Dongmen area from here is a snap. The new ‘Metro’(Shenzhen’s name for their MTR) station is right at the border and the Dongmen is three stops away, at Lao Jie Station.

Shenzhen’s Glitzy Spas

Spas are the latest tourist attraction in Shenzhen and many Hong Kong residents come here to spend a large part of the day being pampered at prices they never thought they could afford. The spas in my book are elegant and comfortable. The prices are wonderful. Most spas do massages and facials and offer use of their ‘spa’ which is what they call their heated whirlpools, etc. One, the Queen’s Club also does more advanced skin rejuvenation treatments.

Tipping for Spa Services in Shenzhen

You are expected to tip those who provide the services at the spa. Here is a guideline on what to tip:

For a 20-30 minute service, the ‘suggested’ tips are Y10 (satisfactory), Y20 (very good) and Y30 (excellent). For 90 minute services, the ‘suggested’ tips are Y50, Y70 and Y100.

At the end of each treatment, you will be asked to fill in the amount of your tip on the bill.

Enjoy!