Shenzhen/West

Western Shenzhen is mostly industrial but also has large parks and even some farmland, as well as trendy, well-to-do Bao'an center.

Unless you're here for business, your main experience in this part of Shenzhen will probably be getting to and from the airport. But you might find something else worth your while, whether it be a hike or a visit to the "real" Shenzhen—the tirelessly busy factories that have made the city what it is.

For decades this part of Shenzhen has been in a state of ongoing change. First it was factories and high-rises shooting up in what was once farmland and fishing villages. Now, thanks to government efforts to reduce pollution and turn Shenzhen into more of a business hub, many factories are moving elsewhere, with convention centers and research institutes taking their place.

Understand
This area includes three districts: Bao'an (宝安, Bǎo'ān), Guangming (光明, Guāngmíng), and Longhua (龙华, Lónghuá). All of these contain multiple distinct neighborhoods which to some extent have their own personalities.

When people say "Bao'an", they're usually referring to Bao'an Center at the south of the district, which is a trendy area with expensive malls and foreign restaurants. Go north to other parts of the district, including neighborhoods like Fuyong and Shajing, and things get more industrial and less extravagant.

Get in
is in Bao'an district, as are Fuyong Ferry Terminal and Shenzhen Airport railway station serving the airport. Bao'an District's main artery, metro line 11, goes to the airport. Line 6 serves a significant chunk of the area, including Yangtai Mountain. Line 12 serves Bao'an District, line 6 Branch serves the northeastern area, while line 20 serves the northwestern area. Lines 1, 4, and 5 also serve the southern reaches of this area.

By train
, one of the main high-speed rail stations in the city, is in Longhua district. The lesser-known is in Guangming district and is served by some of the high-speed trains between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The minor and  have limited service to the airport, parts of Dongguan, and Guangzhou East Station, with connections to Huizhou and other parts of Dongguan and Guangzhou. Other nearby train stations include in Dongguan.

By intercity bus
Depending on where you're trying to go, this may be your best bet, as the area is dotted with intercity bus stations.

By ferry
near the airport has service from Hong Kong International Airport, Macau, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai.

Eat
Shajing (沙井 Shājǐng) in the far north of Bao'an district is famous for oysters (生蚝 shēngháo)—they're said to be the "milk of the ocean floor", and the local ones are delicious and high in protein. You can get oysters on the half shell at street food carts in Shajing at five for ¥10 (2019), or find them cooked lots of different ways at restaurants in the neighborhood.

Go next
Take the metro south to Nanshan or downtown.

Alternatively, head north to Dongguan and its suburbs, or take a ferry from Fuyong terminal to Zhongshan or Zhuhai.