Shenzhen tours

Things to do in Shenzhen

Shenzhen stands as a testament to rapid transformation from a fishing village to a technological powerhouse. The skyline, a testament to ambition, coexists with serene pockets of nature. Your local guide turns Shenzhen tours into personal tales: from the vivid Dafen Oil Painting Village to the calm of Lianhuashan Park. Experience the city's modern feats on a walking tour or delve into its culinary core on a food and wine tour. With your guide, avoid the lines at popular attractions like the Window of the World, and uncover Shenzhen's stories and flavours that lie just beneath the surface. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Shenzhen. Explore Shenzhen your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Shenzhen tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Shenzhen for every interest, including: Off the beaten path tours: Wander Dapeng Fortress’s stone lanes and small temples with a seafood stop at nearby Jiaochangwei beach, or try a hands-on printmaking session at the Guanlan Printmaking Base after touring its restored Hakka houses. Shopping tours: Compare drone parts and phone components in Huaqiangbei’s SEG markets, get measured for a custom suit or qipao at Luohu Commercial City, then browse indie designers at OCT Loft or UpperHills while your guide helps with bargaining, quality checks, and shipping. Layover tours: From SZX, ride Metro Line 11 with your guide to Futian in about 35 minutes, hike up Lianhuashan Park for skyline views, see the city model at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, enjoy dim sum in a neighbourhood tea house, and head back on time. The metro is vast and reliable, but districts are spread out so walks between sights can be long; you can book chauffeured tours or ask your local guide to arrange private transportation for quicker hops. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Shenzhen inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Exploring Shenzhen with your guide will take you through its dynamic neighborhoods, each offering a unique slice of the city. Consider these areas for your Shenzhen tours: - Luohu: A bustling district for those interested in shopping and urban life. Known for its vibrant markets and the famous Luohu Commercial City, it's a great place to experience the energy of Shenzhen. - Nanshan: Ideal for families and those interested in technology and innovation. Home to Shenzhen's tech hub, you'll find fascinating high-tech exhibits and family-friendly attractions like the Window of the World theme park. - Dapeng Peninsula: For cultural tourists and nature lovers, this area offers historic sites like the Dapeng Fortress and beautiful beaches. It's a perfect spot to discover the blend of history and natural beauty with your guide. Day trip ideas from Shenzhen Staying in Shenzhen puts you close to historic towns, big city culture, and quiet beaches, so consider day trips to nearby spots that match what you like to eat, learn, and see. - Guangzhou: classic Cantonese food, riverfront walks, and Qing-era halls sit close together, and your tour can lean into dim sum tastings, temple courtyards like the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, and old streets on Shamian Island, with time for markets if you like to browse. - Dapeng Ancient City and Xichong Beach: a Ming-era walled town with narrow lanes and small temples pairs well with a simple coastal walk and clean sand, giving you a mix of history and sea views, and your tour can balance time between alleys, a fort gate, and a short hike or swim. - Kaiping Diaolou: scattered watchtowers and village homes set in rice fields make a strong photography stop and a calm rural loop, and your tour can connect a couple of clusters like Zili and Majianglong while sharing stories of migration that shaped the area. - Foshan: the Ancestral Temple, martial arts halls, and a working kiln show living craft and southern heritage, and if you enjoy hands-on culture your tour can include the Nanfeng Kiln area, lion dance displays, and a simple Cantonese lunch. - Huizhou West Lake: classic bridges, lakeside paths, and an easy hill viewpoint keep the pace relaxed, and a short old street stop adds tea, snacks, and local shops, which suits a slower tour focused on scenery. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Shenzhen most travellers miss.