Driving along Shenzhen’s western shore, you can’t miss the eye-catching landmarks rising from the horizon on “Penguin Island”. Deriving its nickname from the mascot of tech giant Tencent, this CNY31.9 billion (US$4.5 billion), 81-hectare smart city is due for completion next year – and it’s just one of the many highly anticipated projects in Qianhai, Shenzhen.
There’s palpable pride among residents to be part of the seemingly unstoppable city. “Once it’s complete and open, there’ll be so much talent flocking to Shenzhen,” one Didi driver tells us.
Since becoming a special economic zone 45 years ago, the Greater Bay Area city of Shenzhen has grown at a speed that has, at times, outpaced Beijing and Shanghai. For those curious about where it’s headed next, the answer may well lie in Qianhai, a zone designed to deepen ties with Hong Kong while incubating future-inspiring innovations in industries from finance to tech.
Credit: Hym Chu
Credit: Hym Chu
What to know about Qianhai
Fifteen years ago, Qianhai was little more than reclaimed mudflats. Today, the 120sq km area is home to international businesses, start-ups and countless architectural showpieces.
In the thriving Nanshan district, the 300-metre-tall Qianhai Shimao Building – one of the tallest twisting skyscrapers in the world – has become a local landmark. Close by, mega complexes such as Uniway and the Kerry Centre Qianhai blend office and retail space with upscale housing. Further south, Shekou lures weekend crowds with new cultural happenings at the V&A Gallery at Sea World Culture and Arts Center and the K11 Culture District.
A modern metro line (No.11) and a web of highways connect Qianhai with the rest of Shenzhen. Hiring rides with DiDi, the Chinese Mainland’s answer to Uber, is the easiest way to get around -- but allow buffer time when travelling in and out of Qianhai during rush hour.
Credit: Guangzhou Restaurant
Credit: Hym Chu
Where to entertain clients
Upscale dining options have multiplied in Qianhai, while a trendy café scene has also blossomed quickly in the area.
GreenSide (L327) in the MixC Qianhai shopping centre, is the holder of a Black Pearl Restaurant Guide diamond, the Chinese Mainland equivalent of a Michelin star. The restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from seasonal ingredients sourced from the lakes and shores of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
For a polished Cantonese experience, Guangzhou Restaurant (L301-301) in Kerry Centre Qianhai serves refined dim sum and delicately poached chicken, accompanied by attentive service. For a glass of wine or cocktail in the evening, head to Commune by the V&A Gallery at Sea World Culture and Arts Center, an airy waterfront restaurant. Its pizzas are a popular choice – they’re freshly baked in an open kitchen.
Credit: Conrad Shenzhen
Credit: Conrad Shenzhen
Credit: The St Regis Shenzhen Bao'an
Where to stay in Qianhai
Hotel options were once limited in Qianhai, but that’s changed in recent years, with international hotel brands moving in at speed.
St. Regis Shenzhen Bao’an is one of the newest Qianhai hotels, with 298 rooms and views over the Qianhai Bay. For those who aren’t staying overnight, the hotel’s iconic St. Regis Bar and rooftop Astor Terrace Bar serve as ideal post-meeting retreats.
Conrad Shenzhen in Nanshan is another luxury option, just a stone’s throw away from major retail, dining and lifestyle offerings. Other business stays include UrCove by Hyatt and Jen Hotel.
Credit: imtmphoto/Getty Images
How to get to know people
The city’s superlative structures would make great conversation starters, especially the newly opened Eye of the Greater Bay Area and Tencent’s Penguin Island.
While Shenzhen is in a Cantonese-speaking region, residents originate from all over the Chinese Mainland, therefore Mandarin is the default language for communication. Knowing basic phrases like ni hao (hello) and xie xie (thank you) is appreciated; throwing in trendy slang like daka (checking in at the latest hot spot) or chu quan (going viral) would show you’re in tune with local culture.
Credit: Hym Chu
Credit: Hym Chu
What to do with free time
Shenzhen boasts 50km of bicycle paths along the shoreline, including the new four-kilometre Qianhai cycling path that links four parks by Qianhai Bay.
The newly opened Shenzhen Qianhai Snow World, set to be the world’s largest indoor ski centre, is an alternative activity for after hours.
Practical tips to know
Like most cities in the Chinese Mainland, Shenzhen runs on digital. WeChat is essential not just for payment but also for exchanging business contacts – often via QR code instead of paper business cards. Alipay is another popular payment tool to have.
Certain international apps such as Google Maps and Instagram don’t work in the Chinese Mainland, especially if you’re using local Wi-Fi networks. It’s useful to have Amap or Baidu Map when navigating around the city.
Credit: Hym Chu
Credit: Hym Chu
Take something home
Shenzhen Souvenirs is a chain of gift shops promoting gadgets and lifestyle goodies produced in the city. You’ll find a branch at the airport and another near Nanshan Book Mall.
Tech-savvy travellers may be interested in bringing home a piece of the city’s homegrown tech innovations, such as Insta360’s cameras and Rayneo’s AR glasses.
If you have limited luggage space, consider picking up some tea leaves or small tea accessories from the local chain café Tea’Stone .