Shenzhen Travel Information
For local citizens residing in Shenzhen, Shekou is regarded as the most exotic district in the city, attributed by the many European styled western restaurants, pubs and cantinas that fan out into the main drag and smaller alleys but centre on Sea World. Shekou, which literally translates to mean 'the mouth of snake" due to its shape, is a district in the special economic zone of Shenzhen. Located in the Guangdong Province in southern China just north of Hong Kong, it is an attractive and quiet port district, which enjoys pleasantly mild weather for most of the year.

Shenzhen, with a population of 4.7 million, is well known for its financial and manufacturing industries, as well as its various tourist attractions. Shenzhen is the first Special Economic Zone of China and is demarcated from Hong Kong by the Shenzhen River in the south, and borded by Dongguan and Huizhou to the north. Its sea is part of the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It is a natural port city with Daya Bay in the east and the Lingding Sea to the west.

Weather
Shenzhen has a subtropical maritime climate with plenty of rain and sunshine. It is never blazingly hot in the summer and the season can last for as long as six months. It is mild in spring, autumn and winter. The annual average temperature is 22.4, with the highest temperature being 36.6 and the lowest at 1.4. The year's frost-free period can even be for 355 days. The rainy season lasts from May to September.

Language
China has eight major dialect groups: Putonghua (Mandarin), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan and Hakka and many sub-dialects. The language spoken in Beijing is often referred to as Mandarin or Putonghua. Putonghua, which means "common language" is the country's predominant language and is widely used by more than 70 percent of the population. Putonghua is variously referred to as the "Han language" (hanyu), "Mandarin", or simply Chinese. About two-thirds of the Han people are native speakers of Putonghua, while Han people who come from the southwestern and southeastern sections of China often speak their own dialects, such as Shanghaiese and Cantonese, in addition to Putonghua.

In recent years, as tourism in China continues to increase, the usage of English in everyday communication has become more common too. Most of the service staff in hotels and stores can speak fluent or basic English.

Time Difference
GMT + 8 hours

Visa
Visas are required for all foreigners entering mainland China except for Brunei, Japan and Singapore passport holders who can enjoy visa-free access to China for a period of not more than 15 days.
Standard tourist visas, valid for 30-day visits, are generally easy to acquire, while visas valid for more than 30 days are usually difficult to obtain.
Visitors are advised to consult their travel agent, China International Travel Service, China Travel Service, and PRC Embassy Consulate for details.

Currency
Chinese currency is called Renminbi (people's money), often abbreviated as RMB. It is issued by The Bank of China and is the sole legal tender within the People's Republic of China. The symbol for RMB is . Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and the Friendship stores.

Shopping
The consumer industry once monopolized by the Friendship Stores has since expanded into the following areas:-

• Lo Wu Commercial Centre:
  Situated outside the Lo Wu Customs area, this busy commercial complex offers tailor shops, massage centres and a range of outlets selling handicrafts, garments and common daily necessities.
  
• Shenzhen Seibu Department Store:
  Located on Dongmen Nan Road, this department store features an extensive range of imported brand-label cosmetics, fashions and accessories.
  
• MOI Department Store
  Also located on Dongmen Road, the busiest commercial district of Shenzhen, the MOI Department Store sells a wide range of affordable jewellery, garments and cosmetics.
  
• The Friendship Store:
  Spanning five levels of shopping pleasure, which include a wide range of both brand-label and affordable clothing.
  
• Shenzhen Pok Art Shop:
  This is one of the few stores in Shenzhen where you can purchase traditional and cultural Chinese objects, ranging from arts and crafts to Chinese literature.
  
• Book City:
  The five-story Book City is the latest tourist attraction in Shenzhen, selling many different categories of books including literature, art, law, electronics and architecture.

VAT
N/A

Gratuity
In China, traditionally you do not have to tip at restaurants or hotels, although businesses that cater to foreign tourists may accept your tip if you insist. In five-star international hotels, porters are usually tipped.

Business Hours

• Banks and Government offices:
  In general, banks open from 8.30 am to 11.30 am and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday, the banks operate from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm.
• Offices:
  Most offices open from 8.00 am to 5.30 from Monday to Friday
• Shops (Hours vary):
  Shops generally open from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm Monday to Sunday.

Eating Out
A common Chinese saying(literally translate into English) goes: "When it comes to eating, come to Guangzhou". As time passes, Shenzhen has become another place that deserves this saying. There are so many restaurants of different style that you do not have to walk far to find a small eatery, with a more elaborate restaurant just a couple steps away.

Moving Around
Shenzhen's municipal transportation system consists of public buses, public minibus (vans), and taxicabs, which travel along most of the major streets.

Telephone Network
China's phone system operates smoothly. Direct long-Distance Dials (DDD) and International Direct Dials (DDD) calls can be made from hotel rooms or roadside telephone kiosks. When making a domestic call, visitors should dial the domestic prefix 0, plus area code and followed by the number. For an international call, just dial the international prefix 00, plus country code, area code, and followed by the number.

Health
Visit your doctor for health advice or go for a thorough check-up if you have not had one recently. This is very important for all, particularly for those with a history of coronary or pulmonary problems.

For those who take special medicine on a regular basis, ensure that you carry an adequate supply to last throughout your trip. Store them in the original containers to identify them as legally obtained drugs and pack them in your hand-carry bag. It is also useful to pack medicines, for colds, diarrhea and constipation. Plan your tour schedule carefully, and allow for rest breaks to avoid overexhaustion. It is advisable not to drink direct from the tap.

Electricity
Electricity in China is 220V, 50 cycles, AC. Two-pin sockets and certain three-pin sockets are in use.

Public holidays
New Year's Day; Lunar Chinese New Year; Labour Day and National Day. New Year's Day; Lunar Chinese New Year; Labour Day and National Day.New Year's Day; Lunar Chinese New Year; Labour Day and National Day.