What you need to do when you are in Shenzhen for the first time?
If you are in Shenzhen for the first time, it’s better you know that:
Shenzhen is one of the best destinations in China for business. If someone is interested in electronics and high-tech trading, they have to take a trip to this city. There are a lot of PCBs and PCBAs, electronic gadgets, high-tech equipment, etc.
If you are a foreigner and coming to Shenzhen directly by plane, you will land at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX). When you arrive, the best choice for going to the city is the metro. In Terminal 3, you can take Line 11 at Bao’an International Airport Station. If you can’t pay online and only have cash, there is no problem. At the entrance of the station, you can buy a coin.
Don’t forget: when buying this coin, you have to tell the station attendant your destination station name. The cost of the coin depends on how far your destination is and will be 3 to 7 yuan.
When you arrive in the city, first you have to buy a SIM card. China, and especially Shenzhen, is a high-tech city. Everyone uses apps for daily tasks. No one pays cash—they pay online with QR codes. There are many shops where you can buy a SIM card and an internet package, which normally costs around 100 RMB.
You should know that in China, Google doesn't work. This means Google apps like Maps and Play Store also don't work. For navigation, you'll need to download Chinese navigation apps. When people send you location links, they'll send them through Chinese apps, which you can't open in your Google Maps.
What’s the best place to stay in Shenzhen?
The best place to stay in Shenzhen depends on several factors. Let's examine some of them:
First, you need to specify your purpose for visiting Shenzhen. If you're a tourist, the district isn't very important because public transport is very convenient, cheap, and fast throughout the city. It's better to choose accommodation based on your budget. Nanshan District can be a good choice.
If you're in Shenzhen for business, it's important to consider whether you need to buy products from factories or markets. Before coming to China, it's better to research your products and required services. If you already have specific factory locations, it's best to stay near those areas. For general business purposes, Luohu District is better as many important markets are located in and around this area. Compared to other districts, it's one of the more expensive options. However, when you calculate all costs, you'll find it's not a bad choice because you save time traveling between markets.
If you plan to stay long-term, you'll need to rent an apartment. For a studio apartment, depending on the district, you'll typically need to pay from 4,000 RMB deposit and from 2,000 RMB monthly rent.
Working in Shenzhen: Important Considerations
If you have a work permit and want to work for a specific company, it's very important to live nearby. Morning traffic in Shenzhen is extremely heavy - driving to work can take a long time. While buses and metro are faster, they're also very crowded in the morning (often with no seats available).
Required Procedures for Work (Z Visa) or Student (X1/X2 Visa) Holders:
- Register with your company or university
- Rent an apartment and obtain a local address
- Register for social insurance
- Register your address with the local police station
- Complete a medical examination at a designated hospital for the "Health Report Form"
Note: Health reports from your home country are not accepted - you must redo the examination in China - Visit the immigration office to convert your visa to a residence permit
Important: The immigration office will keep your passport for about one week during this process
