Escape SH: creative art spaces and great restaurants in Shenzhen

Photograph: Calvin Sit (OCT – Loft)

No longer a place solely for cheap massages and counterfeit handbags, Shenzhen city boasts creative art spaces like OCT – Loft and OCT Contemporary Art Terminal, sprawling shopping malls including Upperhills and Uniwalk and fantastic restaurants, not to mention Shanghai's favourite bubble tea HeyTea, making it a great destination for a quick weekend getaway. If you plan to visit this cool Mainland city, here’s a guide to all the things to see, eat and do while you’re there.

Do this

Photograph: Calvin Sit (Fairy Lake Botanical Garden)

If you’re a nature lover, be sure to check out Fairy Lake Botanical Garden. This attraction is a serene wonderland encompassing more than 500 hectares. With thousands of plants, not to mention artificial lakes and temples, you can easily spend a whole day exploring the entire garden.

Covering more than 60 million square metres of space, OCT – Loft is the largest cultural and creative complex in Shenzhen, bringing together art studios, galleries, bookstores, restaurants, coffee shops and the like. Creative markets are held in the park every first and third weekend of each month, attracting creators from all over the world.

Photograph: Duccio Malagamba (Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition)

Shenzhen’s newest arts destination, the Museum of Contemporary Art & Planning Exhibition (Mocape) has already attracted plenty of culture vultures. As well as admiring the architecture, be sure to check out the many stunning, contemporary art pieces on display.

If that's not enough to satisfy your art fix, drop by OCT Contemporary Art Terminal (Ocat), a non-profit art museum that also has branches in Shanghai, Xian, Beijing and Wuhan. The Shenzhen location frequently hosts events, performances and exhibitions to promote contemporary art.

Photograph: Calvin Sit (Upperhills)

Located in the central downtown area of Futian, Upperhills is known for its colourful loft town with rows of dinky, picturesque buildings. More than 300 brands populate the mall and even though not all of the shops are open yet, there’s already more than enough for you to shop till you drop.

Famous for being the largest shopping mall in Shenzhen, the 360,000 square metres Uniwalk boasts eight floors, more than 400 brands and 100 restaurants. There’s also a children’s playground and a large cinema, making this retail and leisure spot perfect for a day of family fun.

Photograph: Calvin Sit (Human Entheos Research Organisation)

Made to look like a research centre, Human Entheos Research Organisation is actually a commercial hub dedicated to handicrafts. The street offers plenty of products from creative brands, and for those who like to get hands-on, there are workshops for carpentry, goldsmithing, leatherwork, flower arranging, pottery and more.

If you're looking to unwind after a long day of shopping, Shenzhen is a great place to be if you love karaoke. Sing your heart out at UK KTV, which boasts a stunning environment with areas decked out in different themes, from pretty-in-pink to preppy British, among many others.

Photograph: Calvin Sit (Sea World)

Another great spot to visit is Sea World. Located on the west coast of Shenzhen, Sea World is instantly recognisable thanks to the iconic Minghua cruise ship, which combines a hotel, bars and restaurants all in one. Come nightfall, enjoy the musical fountain shows or head to the bar-lined streets for a drink or two.

Photograph: Calvin Sit (Nanhai E-Cool)

If you’re looking for a little peace and quiet among the hustle and bustle of Sea World, the nearby creative culture park is where you need to go. Nanhai E-Cool was originally an old factory that was later transformed into a centre for creative enterprises. The outer walls of this green oasis are covered with plants and within you’ll find speciality boutiques and cafés.

Eat this

Photograph: @thatsyleen via Instagram (IH Café & Bar)

Social media has been going wild for IH Café & Bar, a Moroccan-inspired café. While there are already four different locations in Shenzhen, the Futian district’s branch remains the most popular of them all. Why? From the Moroccan-style outdoor terrace to the gorgeous blue-and-white patterned tiles on the floor and swimming pool (though it’s empty of water) to the comfy wicker chairs, every corner is a photo shoot waiting to happen.

Photograph: Calvin Sit (Laps Laps)

Another one of the most Instagrammable spots in the whole of Shenzhen, Laps Laps is an Americana-inspired retro diner dressed in bright pops of pinks and blues. After taking a photo with the hot pink convertible out front, indulge your sweet tooth with one of the decidedly OTT milkshakes topped with donuts and candies.

Yes, we know you can find HeyTea here in Shanghai, but with outlets widespread across Shenzhen that lack the usual crowds and queues that stretch on for hours, the cosy and comfortable ambience of the Upperhills branch is a perfect spot to linger and people-watch.

Photograph: @food_stoppp via Instagram (Delisen)

Shenzhen may be famous for its local flavours, but there’s a Western bakery that’s definitely worth visiting when you’re in town. Delisen’s thick-cut sandwiches are just as iconic as HeyTea’s hand-shaken tea, and each serving is brimming with ingredients – real bang for your buck.

When you get tired from all the intense shopping and exploring, rest your feet at the quaint and relaxing K.Strawberry café. The decor is chic and minimalist, the space bright and roomy. Once you’re comfortably settled, sip on the massive strawberry cocktails or take a bite out of one of the exceedingly delicate lemon tarts.

If Haidilao is the only hotpot you've tried, then definitely grab a bite at Seasons. This restaurant chain is particularly famous for its coconut chicken hotpot and claypot rice. The former features a soup base brewed with fresh coconut water and the meat and fat from a whole chicken.

Photograph: Calvin Sit (Luk Show)

Shenzhen residents adore Sichuan food, especially spicy fish with pickled mustard greens. One of the trendiest restaurants to visit for this dish, Luk Show always attracts a hungry crowd.

If you're in the area, a visit to the cultural and creative hub of Oct – Loft wouldn’t be complete without spending some time at a local hipster coffee shop. Walking into the idyllic Donkey Bar is like walking into the Japanese fantasy film The Secret World of Arrietty. Luscious green plants and blooming flowers surround the alfresco dining space.

Photograph: Calvin Sit (The Haploid)

Come nightfall, one of the best places to visit is The Haploid. No, we’re not telling you to go visit a convenience store. Hidden behind a fully-functional fridge is, in fact, a doorway to a two-storey bar.

Stay here

Photograph: courtesy Muji Hotel Shenzhen

Located right at Upperhills is the first-ever Muji Hotel. The property spans six floors and boasts 79 rooms, a library, gym and restaurant. Expect Muji’s signature minimalist style to be a running theme here. If you're on a day-trip and don’t spend a night at the hotel, China’s biggest Muji flagship store is also worth a visit.

Getting there

Photograph: Masahiro TAKAGI via Wikimedia Commons

To get to Shenzhen over the weekend by gaotie, which will take about eight hours, return tickets start from 1,735RMB. To get there by plane, which will take a little under three hours, Shenzhen Airlines offers daily flights direct from Shanghai. Return tickets start from 2,853RMB.

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