{"id":7386,"date":"2015-04-06T14:00:28","date_gmt":"2015-04-06T13:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saporedicina.com\/english\/?p=7386"},"modified":"2022-02-14T15:44:25","modified_gmt":"2022-02-14T14:44:25","slug":"bordering-on-hong-kong-routes-in-and-out-of-shenzhen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saporedicina.com\/english\/bordering-on-hong-kong-routes-in-and-out-of-shenzhen\/","title":{"rendered":"Bordering on Hong Kong: The easiest routes in and out of Shenzhen"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Shekou\"Creative<\/a> Shekou Ferry Terminal Shenzhen<\/a> by Chris<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

At first glance, it\u2019s hard to believe that the Chinese city of Shenzhen, situated directly north of Hong Kong on mainland China, was nothing more than a sleepy fishing village back in 1979. This area became China\u2019s first, and one of its most successful, Special Economic Zones and is a thriving metropolis. In fact, Shenzhen is now considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.<\/p>\n

The Brits may have handed Hong Kong back to China, but it still retains its status as a \u201cSpecial Administrative Region of China\u201d. So don\u2019t expect to pop over to Shenzhen without a valid Chinese visa<\/a> \u2013 all visitors to Shenzhen from Hong Kong have to pass through customs and immigration at any of the border crossings, regardless of their nationality!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visitors to Shenzhen frequently fly into Hong Kong and then make the short hop over to the mainland. You can choose to take the short half-hour ferry service that delivers you to the suburb of Shekou, or you can go overland by bus, coach, taxi or metro. Whichever route you take be prepared to queue if you travel during business rush hour periods.<\/p>\n

Many Chinese and Hong Kong citizens cross the borders daily to work in the busy commercial centers, both on the mainland and Hong Kong city. Rush hour takes on a new meaning as thousands of people make the cross-border journey to work!<\/p>\n

For ease of travel, I would definitely recommend the ferry. The service runs every hour from either the airport or from Hong Kong Island. From the airport, it takes only 30 minutes into Shenzhen Shekou Ferry Terminal or 40 minutes to Shenzhen Fuyong (Bao\u2019an Airport) Terminal, both on Shenzhen\u2019s west side. However, this is the more expensive option, with one-way tickets costing around 220 HKD. It\u2019s a tough buy when a less expensive bus option can cost just a fraction of this price.<\/p>\n

If you want to visit Shenzhen\u2019s business center in the Futian district then consider one of the overland options. Bus, coach and taxi\u2019s cater for all budgets. <\/p>\n

With so many choices it is best to make your transportation decision based on your final destination, available time and pre-arranged connections or meetings. But if you go with the flow and make sure you have the correct entry documents then a visit to Shenzhen shouldn\u2019t present you with too many problems. In fact, apart from the occasional traffic delays, I\u2019ve found it easier to enter China than the USA!<\/p>\n

P.s. Click here to read our recommendation on how to book your hotel in Hong Kong<\/a><\/strong> and here to read our recommendation on how to book your hotel in Shenzhen<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Shenzhen \/ Hong Kong Overland Border Crossings<\/h2>\n

There are four popular border crossings from Hong Kong to Shenzhen:<\/p>\n