An interesting city like Shenzhen has many different places to visit. You can find some of the best tourist attractions, historical sites, amusement parks and tranquil parks in Shenzhen. It is a good idea to have a basic outline of what sites you want to visit during your vacation in Shenzhen so you do not miss out on things of particular interest.
China Folk Culture Villages
Located in Shenzhen Bay next to Splendid China is the China Folk Culture Villages, a museum dedicated to the various ethnic groups that reside in China. There are 56 ethnic Chinese cultures with their own distinctive art, architecture, customs and way of life. This ‘village’ is a one-of-a-kind tourist venue in the country where the cultures of various Chinese nationalities are collected in one place. There are 24 life-size created to exhibit the colorful customs of the various ethnic Chinese groups such as the Miao, Dong, Dai, Yao and Jingpo. Various national festivals such as the Water Splashing Festival of the Dai.
the Torch Festival of the Yi, the Lusheng Festival of the Miao and Great Temple Fairs are celebrated here with much pomp and grandeur. Aside from soaking up these different cultures, visitors can also enjoy and take part in the singing and dancing performances of these diverse ethnic tribes. Live demonstrations of handicraft-making and tasting local delicacies can also be tried out. The main idea behind this ‘museum of culture’ was to give visitors a glimpse into China’s rich cultural diversity and heritage. With spectacular, gushing waterfalls and beautiful gardens in the background, the China Folk Culture Villages is a must-see when visiting Shenzhen. Perfect for day trip with the family, visitors can even take a boat tour around the village.
Window of the World
Located in the Overseas Chinese Town near Splendid China and the China Folk Culture Village is Window of the World, one of Shenzhen’s most popular tourist attractions. This theme park contains some of the most famous sights, historic buildings and renowned structures from all over the world. You will find sites like the Pyramids of Egypt, the Angkor Wat Temple of Cambodia, the Grand Canyon, L'Arc de Triomphe of Paris, St. Peter's Cathedral of Vatican City, the Taj Mahal of India, the Sydney Opera House of Australia, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa of Italy. There are over 118 scenic spots created as miniature replicas. Some of the attractions, like the Eiffel Tower, are over 108 meters (354 feet) high. From atop the tower you can see all of Shenzhen and even Hong Kong in the distance. Divided into nine scenic areas, the Window of the World is made up of:
World Square
International Street
Sculpture Park
Recreational Center of Modern Science & Technology
Asia
Oceania
Europe
Africa
Americas
At night, this theme park puts on a spectacular show with a float parade, special effects and sound effects. Entertaining and fun, this show is perfect for the entire family. Various means of transportation are available to get around the park such as a car, golf cart, carriage, gypsy caravan and even an inflatable water raft.
Splendid China
Adjacent to the China Folk Culture Villages is Splendid China, a theme park with miniature replicas of China’s historical and cultural attractions dating back 5,000 years. With more than 80 attractions in the form of temples, folk dwellings and scenic landscapes, this park was intended to reflect China’s ancient history and amazing cultural diversity. Divided into a scenic spot area and a comprehensive service area, Splendid China’s replicas include:
The Great Wall
Full-scale Terra Cotta figures of the Quiling Mausoleum
The Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
The Ming Tombs
The Zhaozhou Bridge
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
The Imperial Palace
The Leshan Grand Buddha Statue
Also found here aside from these attractions are many of the world's ‘mosts’ such as the world's most ancient stone arch bridge - Zhaozhou Bridge, and the world's longest fresco – the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes. In the comprehensive service area is a food street where visitors can taste delicious Chinese cuisines from Beijing, Sichuan, Jiangsu, and Canton, as well as shop for traditional Chinese handicrafts and souvenirs. You can even enjoy performances of national songs and dances. This park offers an deep insight into China, it culture and its traditions.
Shenzhen Safari Park
The first safari park of its kind in China, the Shenzhen Safari Park is located close to the Xili Lake. Home to some 300 species of 10,000 different animals, reptiles and birds, this safari park is unlike a traditional zoo. Here animals roam freely in their natural surroundings, while being viewed by visitors who tour the entire park by bus.
The park is divided into three zones: herbivore zone, beasts of prey zone, walking/performing zone. The herbivore zone has animals such as giraffes, elephants, hippos and various birds. In the beasts of prey zone are live tigers, lions and other beasts of prey. In the walking and performing zone, visitors can see the Crocodile Pool, the Monkey Hill, the Snake House, the Panda Hall, the Golden-monkey enclosure, and watch performances by the Chinese and Russian circuses. There are also restaurants and souvenir shops, along with a viewing tower and daily animal performances.
Fairy Lake Botanic Garden
The Fairy Lake Botanic Garden is located at the foot of the Wutong Mountain in the northeast of Shenzhen on Xianhu Road. Covering an area of 590 hectares, this botanical garden was first opened to the public in 1988. With over 3,000 plants, this beautiful garden is divided in 15 specialized botanic areas. Also found here is a plant research institute. Built according to the traditional principles of Chinese garden design, the Fairy Lake Botanic Garden is a tranquil refuge from the noise of the city.
