Your first time in Shenzhen. Everything you need.
Visa, flights, payments, connection, and what to see while you're here.
What you need to know
Visa. Most passports: None needed.
China allows visa-free entry for 80 passports, typically for 30 days. Exceptions include Mauritius which is granted a 60-day stay, and Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and San Marino that qualify for 90 days.
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Albania
- Armenia
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Finland
- Fiji
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tonga
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Czech Republic
- Indonesia
- Lithuania
- Mexico
- Ukraine
- United States
10-Day Visa-Free Transit Rules & Routing
Enter and exit China from the same province. You must hold a confirmed onward flight to a third country (different from your original departure country) within 240 hours (10 days).
You cannot use this visa-free transit if arriving from Hong Kong by land or ferry. You must fly into an eligible mainland airport (e.g., Guangzhou) and travel to Shenzhen. Your exit flight must depart from Guangdong province.
Example Itineraries
Arrives and departs from the same province, continuing to a valid third country.
Does not continue to a third country; returns to the country of origin.
You cannot enter mainland China via a land or ferry border crossing under this specific air transit scheme.
Enters mainland China by flight, stays within Guangdong province, and flies out to a third country.
You will need to apply for a visa. We recommend a Business Visa (M), or a Tourist Visa (L) if you plan to travel before or after the conference. Apply 1 to 2 months before your trip. Consult your local travel agency or government websites for details.
We issue business invitation letters for visa applications that require one. 3 business days turnaround.
Request LetterThree Airports, Pick the Best Rate
Shenzhen is incredibly well-connected. You have three major airport options to reach the conference venue, we recommend comparing all three to find the cheapest fare.
Most convenient optionShenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Shenzhen's main airport features direct flights from major global hubs. Ideal for the quickest commute directly to the venue.
40 minutes by taxi, or 50 minutes via Metro Line 11.
Cheapest for Europe & AmericaHong Kong International Airport (HKG)
A popular international route just 30 km away. Connects seamlessly to Shenzhen via a direct, 15-minute high-speed rail.
1.5 hours total (via high-speed train, ferry, or business van).
Great backup for flight dealsGuangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
A massive aviation hub often featuring the most competitive fares. Slightly further out, but easily accessible via transit.
2 hours total (via high-speed rail, plus a taxi or DiDi).
China is cashlessSet up before you fly
The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB). Cash is rare. Two apps handle almost everything:
The most foreigner-friendly option. Links to major international cards. Set it up before arriving via Google Play or App Store (tutorial here).
Built into China's main messaging app and accepts international cards. Download WeChat here and follow this tutorial for setup.
Credit Cards
Works at major hotels (like The St. Regis) and upscale malls. Unlikely to work for taxis or daily dining.
ATMs
Available at airports and major banks. Your home card should work. Keep ~ยฅ500 in cash for emergencies.
Connect beforeyou land
Western platforms have limited access in China. A paid connection service (VPN) is required for reliable access.
Before you fly
Register for WeChat using your international number for seamless local communication.
On arrival
International roaming is expensive. Get a ~$20 local eSIM (e.g., Airalo) for 7 days of data.
At the venue
St. Regis provides conference Wi-Fi with consistent international access. No VPN is needed during sessions.
English inside the venueMinimal outside
All conference sessions are in English (live EN <> CN interpretation provided on Days 3 and 4).
Hotels speak English, taxis and smaller restaurants don't. Rely on these translation apps:
Apple Translate
Download Chinese for offline, connection-free use.
Baidu Translate or DeepL
Both work seamlessly on your phone.
Four main districts. Each a different city.
Nanshan
Shenzhen's tech hub and Silicon Valley. Features Tencent HQ, DJI flagship store, sleek sky bars, and the Shenzhen Bay promenade. Ideal for networking with a tech-centric crowd.
Futian
The city's modern financial center. Central, highly walkable, and hyper-connected by the metro. Perfect for business meetings, international dining, and premium shopping.
Luohu
The historical core and home to our main conference venue, The St. Regis Shenzhen. Explore the bustling Dongmen shopping street, hunt for bargains, or cross into Hong Kong.
Yantian
A scenic 40-minute drive from the city center. Famous for lush trails and beaches. This coastal escape is where you'll find our VIP Networking venue, the MGM Shenzhen.
What Everyone is Actually Eating in Shenzhen
As a melting pot, Shenzhen gathers the absolute best flavors from across China. From Cantonese morning tea to fiery Sichuan dishes, here is what to eat and where to find it.
Cantonese Dim Sum (ๅนฟๅผๆฉ่ถ)
The Guangdong classic. Shenzhen is in Guangdong province, making it a holy ground for traditional "morning tea." Sit at a big round table and order mountains of shrimp dumplings (har gow) and BBQ pork buns. You'll order exactly how the locals do: by scanning a QR code on your table via WeChat.
Where to eat it: Fanlou (่ฉๆฅผ) or Diandude (็น้ฝๅพท) for a bustling, ornate teahouse atmosphere and incredible food.
Beyond the city
Discover natural escapes and historic cultural hubs just outside the urban center.
Dapeng Peninsula (ๅคง้นๅๅฒ)
Beautifully rugged sea cliffs and white-sand beaches, known as Shenzhen's "Cape of Good Hope".
Getting there: 50-minute drive.
Wutong Mountain (ๆขงๆกๅฑฑ)
The city's tallest peak offers a challenging half-day hike with panoramic views of Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong.
Getting there: 25-minute drive.
Nantou Ancient City (ๅๅคดๅคๅ)
Walk through Ming Dynasty gates into a maze of 1,700-year-old traditional alleys filled with trendy cafรฉs and boutiques.
Getting there: 40-minute drive or Metro Line 12.
Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (ไปๆนๆค็ฉๅญ)
A misty lake sanctuary featuring bonsai gardens, a petrified forest, and the magnificent Hongfa Temple.
Getting there: 15-minute taxi or Metro Line 2.
Dafen Oil Painting Village (ๅคง่ฌๆฒน็ปๆ)
Formerly a replica art factory, now a quirky labyrinth of original studios, galleries, and coffee shops.
Getting there: 20-minute drive or short metro ride.
Mid-September in Shenzhen
Late summer. 28-33ยฐC daytime. 24-28ยฐC evening. 70-85% humidity. Typhoon season is tapering off, with occasional short rain. Rarely a full day washout.
Pack
- Light layers; A/C indoors is strong
- Compact umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes (you'll average 15k steps/day)
- Power adapter (Type A/C/I, 220V)
Skip
- Heavy jackets
- Dress shoes beyond one pair (tech casual works everywhere, even at VIP night)
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