Cheap flights to Shenzhen
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Shenzhen and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
China
Continent
Asia
Airport
SZX
Currency
Chinese yuan (renminbi)
Time zone
UTC+8
Deals already spotted to Shenzhen
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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The instant city
Shenzhen, a city that barely existed a generation ago
In 1979 Bao'an County was renamed Shenzhen, and in May 1980 the city became China's first Special Economic Zone. At that time the county seat was a town of about 30,000 people. At the 2020 census Shenzhen counted 17.56 million residents, which makes it one of the fastest urban transformations in modern history. Today it is the base of Huawei, Tencent, BYD and DJI, and it is trying to add a cultural identity to its technology reputation.
| Milestone | Shenzhen |
|---|---|
| 1394 | The Ming dynasty builds Dapeng Fortress to defend the coast against pirates |
| 1979 | Bao'an County becomes the city of Shenzhen |
| May 1980 | First Special Economic Zone in China |
| 2010 | The special zone is extended to the whole municipal area |
| 2020 | The census counts 17.56 million inhabitants |
Next door to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a short ride away
Shenzhen sits right on the border, so Hong Kong is a metro or train ride of a few dozen minutes. The high-speed rail from West Kowloon reaches Futian in about 14 minutes, the Luohu crossing connects directly to the MTR, and Lok Ma Chau is the only crossing open 24 hours. Jet ferries also link Hong Kong airport to Shekou in about 30 minutes. Guangzhou is about 100 km north, roughly an hour by high-speed rail, which makes Shenzhen an easy base for a Pearl River Delta trip.
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A surprising past
Dapeng Fortress, a Ming walled village
Shenzhen is easy to dismiss as a city without history, but Dapeng Fortress, in the eastern Dapeng New District, was built in 1394 to resist pirates. Covering about 110,000 square meters, it is described as the most complete Ming military fortress in southern China, with gates, narrow lanes and watchtowers still in place. It is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 and lies roughly 90 minutes from the busy center, so plan it as a separate outing.
Design and art
Where Shenzhen shows its creative side
Design Society
A design and culture center in the Shekou harbor area, designed by Pritzker laureate Fumihiko Maki and opened with London's Victoria and Albert Museum and China Merchants Group. Its waterfront park looks across the bay to Hong Kong.
OCT-LOFT
Former factories in Nanshan turned into cafes, galleries and the OCAT contemporary art terminal, with a lively creative market at weekends.
Dafen Village
An artists' village known as the world's largest workshop for oil-painting reproductions.
Theme parks and skyline
Around the world in a day, then up to the 599 m summit
Window of the World and the OCT parks
Overseas Chinese Town runs the city's main parks. Window of the World shows miniature replicas of about 100 landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal, and is open daily from 9:00 to 22:30. Splendid China, the Chinese Folk Culture Village and Happy Valley complete the group. For the skyline, the Ping An International Finance Centre rises 599 m, and Kingkey 100 reaches 442 m.
Eating in Shenzhen
Cuisines from all over China
Because residents came from every part of China, Shenzhen eats Cantonese, Hunan and Sichuan cooking side by side, and eat streets serve food from across the country. Shajing, in Bao'an, is known for oysters. Meals can be cheap: a basic meal costs roughly 10 to 25 yuan, according to a travel guide.
Shekou
This expat district has the city's biggest concentration of foreign restaurants and the ferry terminal, a good place for an evening out.
Huaqiangbei
The electronics-trade district, with several multi-storey malls, is a curiosity for anyone who loves gadgets.
Best time to visit
Shenzhen through the seasons
Spring
Highs climb from about 23 C to 30 C, and the weather is often foggy with heavy thunderstorms.
Summer
Hot and humid, with highs of 31 to 32 C, lows around 26 C and the year's heaviest rain. Typhoon season runs June to October.
Autumn
October to December is the most pleasant period, cooler and drier.
Winter
Mild and the driest season, with highs around 20 C and lows of 13 to 14 C.
Getting to Shenzhen
Bao'an Airport and the metro
Shenzhen Bao'an
About 35 km northwest of the center. Metro Line 11 reaches downtown in around 30 minutes; taxis and airport buses are the alternatives.
The metro, open since 2004, is one of the largest in the world. Mobile payment with Alipay or WeChat Pay is the norm, so set it up before you arrive.
In pictures
Shenzhen in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Shenzhen
Which airport do I use for Shenzhen?
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX), about 35 km northwest of the center. Metro Line 11 reaches downtown in around 30 minutes.
Can I easily go from Shenzhen to Hong Kong?
Yes, the cities share a border. The high-speed rail from West Kowloon reaches Futian in about 14 minutes, and the Luohu crossing connects to the Hong Kong metro.
Is there any history in Shenzhen?
Yes. Dapeng Fortress dates from 1394 and is one of the best-preserved Ming military villages in southern China, about 90 minutes from the center.
When is the best time to visit Shenzhen?
October to December is the most comfortable period. Summers are hot and humid, and typhoons can arrive between June and October.
How many days do I need in Shenzhen?
Two to three days cover the skyline, a design venue and the theme parks, and a day more if you add Dapeng Fortress or a trip to Hong Kong.
How much does a flight to Shenzhen usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Shenzhen drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Shenzhen as the destination and your maximum budget. You'll be notified automatically the moment a matching price is detected.
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