Some thoughts after living in Shenzhen, China for a little over a month - walking the streets, taking the Metro and enjoying the overall vibe. Here are the 5, in no particular order:
Safety - It's easy to forget this is a city of about 17 million people ... I was out the other night as the University Games were ending and kids were riding back on the subways with their friends. I've trekked through many neighborhoods and it certainly feels safer than a number of places I've been in the US. On other note ... I've seen about four traffic accidents since I've been here. they've all been minor fender benders, mainly because people don't speed. There are tons of cars on the road, and they don't always (or often) follow the painted lines, but they keep the speed down and use their horn to let other drivers stay aware. It is pretty amazing in a city of this size.
- Food (and value for the price) - I can eat a well-balanced vegetarian lunch in Shenzhen for about $3.50 US. Four courses with a beverage (purple sweet potato juice - yummy!). If I want to go out for a nice Western-style dinner (for those nights when nothing but a burrito (or the Chinese version of it) will do) and have a beer, it will cost about $15 US. Compared to other places in China, Shenzhen is considered quite expensive, but it is still less than Hong Kong and the variety is nice. I can eat tapas, Indian, Thai, Italian, Mexican, as well as many varieties of regional Chinese cuisine.
- Hong Kong - just an hour away, by train or by ferry (and I recommend the ferry, even though it costs more). HK is perhaps the most exciting city I've been to in the world and has a great vibe - like Manhattan, NY on a perpetual endorphin drip. Shopping, dining, both high and low end right next to each other and a mish mash of cultures that might be unparalleled (although I haven't been to Singapore). Prices are expensive there, but just over the border you're back in a less expensive Shenzhen.
- Metro (subway) - new and modern with six lines (four of which just opened in June of 2011 for the University Games. You can go almost anywhere for one or two dollars US. On most lines its not too crowded, although I think there is a game played by the Shenzhenians in trying to see how many of them can fit into a metro car. I think the slogan of the game is "there's always room for one more." The same game seems to apply to elevators, as well, although there is a buzzer that sends an alert when the max is surpassed on the elevator, and then everyone seems to understand that one of the last people on gets off, one at a time, until the buzzing stops. Very orderly. No such limit applies to a subway car ... the game stops when the doors close and everything can become quite intimate.
- People - it's a young city with young people who are surprisingly friendly for a place this populated. It's not difficult to stop someone to ask for directions and there seems to be an enthusiasm for things West, so a lot of curiosity. Aside from the children staring at me because of my size, I've had people come up just to try out their English and so I regale them with the little Mandarin I know. If they want an even more hilarious experience, I try out a little Cantonese, as well. I talk like a two year old ... thank you, hello, good morning, puppy, coconut, coconut juice, correct, incorrect. Most of the time I point at things I know the word for and say it. I'd be cuter if I tottered on my legs and had pudgy little arms.
If you have a chance to travel here, I recommend it, especially if you can stay for a week or two.
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