10 Best Things To Do With Teens In Shenzhen: Easy Day Trips From Hong Kong
Indoor Snow, Skydiving, Drones, Driverless Cars And Rollercoasters
Updated: November 10, 2026
Shenzhen is the easiest big-city weekend for Hong Kong families with teens, and it’s only 14 minutes from West Kowloon to Futian by high-speed rail. This is the city that builds the world’s drones, so teens can fly one, order a bubble tea that arrives by air and ride in a car with no driver. Add the world’s largest indoor ski center, a 33m dive pool and a ninja course, and you’ve got a trip for ages 10 to 18 where nobody gets bored.
Entry Into Shenzhen: UK, Australian and French passport holders get 30 days visa-free at any crossing, including the high-speed rail. US families need the Shenzhen 5-Day Visa on Arrival, which is only issued at Luohu, Huanggang and Shekou Cruise Port (not Futian, Shenzhen Bay or the high-speed rail). Bring RMB cash for the fee and your hotel address. Hong Kong permanent residents cross with a Home Return Permit or Mainland Travel Permit.
Learn More About Entry Requirements
Must-Have Apps For Shenzhen
Download these and set them up in Hong Kong, before you cross. Shenzhen runs on phones, and the app stores and sign-up texts are easier to deal with on home Wi-Fi.
- Alipay and WeChat: Your wallet for the trip. Cash and cards are rarely used, and both apps let you link a foreign Visa or Mastercard. Make a small test payment first. WeChat is also how you’ll book things like the Science and Technology Museum.
- Amap (Gaode Maps): Google Maps doesn’t work properly in mainland China, so use Amap for walking routes, metro directions and finding venues. Save hotel and venue addresses in Chinese characters too.
- Dianping: The go-to for restaurant reviews, menus and table bookings. It’s great for finding where locals actually eat near your hotel.
- DiDi: Shenzhen’s ride-hailing app, and much easier than flagging a taxi. Drivers can see your destination, so there’s no need to explain it in Mandarin.
- Meituan: Food delivery to your hotel, and the app behind the drone deliveries at Shenzhen Bay Park.
Little Steps Insider Tip: Give each teen their own Alipay account linked to a parent’s card, and set a spending limit. It saves you being the family cashier at Huaqiangbei.
Jump to: Futian | Nanshan | Qianhai | Guangming | Longhua
Futian: Gadgets, Shopping And The Easiest First Stop
Futian is the closest part of Shenzhen to Hong Kong and the easiest place to start. Visa-free families can take the high-speed rail from West Kowloon to Futian in 14 minutes, and US families on a Visa on Arrival can cross at Huanggang, which is also in Futian.
Nearest crossing from Hong Kong: Futian Port (MTR to Lok Ma Chau) or the high-speed rail to Futian Station. US Visa on Arrival: Huanggang Port.
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1. SHOPPING: Huaqiangbei Electronics Market (Teen Activities - Futian)
The World's Biggest Gadget MarketHuaqiangbei is floor after floor of phone cases, LED gear, cables, mini projectors, keyboards and gadgets you've never seen before. It's the best place in Shenzhen to give teens a budget and let them loose. Pair it with the Huawei and Xiaomi experience stores nearby, which are free to walk into.
Practical Info: Visiting Huaqiangbei
- Tickets: Free
- Location: Huaqiangbei Commercial Street, Futian District
- Opening Hours: 9:30am - 6:30pm
- How Long to Allocate: 2-3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings, before the crowds
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2. MALL: UpperHills (Teen Activities - Futian)
Sneakers, Sony And A Robot ShowUpperHills is the easy, polished mall day. Head to Level 3 for teen and kid stores, browse Nike, the Sony direct-sale store and viral local label Mason Prince, then catch the live robot show at the ENGINEAI Robotics Flagship Store. The open-air "loft town" walkways make it a nice break from the usual indoor mall.
Practical Info: Visiting UpperHills
- Location: 5001 Huanggang Road, Futian District
- How Long to Allocate: Half a day
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday, as weekends get busy
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Nanshan: Drones, Robotaxis And Roller Coasters
Nanshan, on Shenzhen Bay, is where the city's tech is on show. The DJI flagship, the drone delivery points and Happy Valley are all here, and Shenzhen Bay Park is right there for a sunset walk. Shekou Cruise Port, the ferry crossing from Hong Kong, is in Nanshan too.
Nearest crossing from Hong Kong: Shenzhen Bay Port by cross-border bus. US Visa on Arrival: Shekou Cruise Port by ferry.
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3. TECH: DJI Flagship Store (Teen Activities - Nanshan)
Fly A Drone Where They're Actually MadeShenzhen is DJI's home city, and the DJI flagship store at OCT Harbour is the biggest one in the world, at nearly 4,000 square meters. Teens can get hands-on with the latest drones and cameras, try supervised flying and catch demos in the DJI Oasis, an outdoor test-flight park on the edge of Shenzhen Bay. Go up to the second-level platform for views across the bay.
Practical Info: Visiting DJI Flagship Store
- Tickets: Free entry
- Location: Building East 8, OCT Harbour, Baishi Road, Nanshan District
- Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-10:30pm (confirm, published 2015)
- How Long to Allocate: 1-2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday afternoon, then walk to Shenzhen Bay Park for sunset
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4. FUTURE CITY: Drone Delivery And Robotaxis At Shenzhen Bay Park (Teen Activities - Nanshan)
Lunch By Drone, Then A Car With No DriverThis is the moment your teens will post about. At Shenzhen Bay Park, you order food or a drink through Meituan and it lands at a pickup locker by drone, in as little as 10 minutes. Then hail a driverless robotaxi through the PonyPilot+ or Apollo Go mini programs in Alipay or WeChat. Drone drop points also run at Shenzhen Talent Park and Lianhua Hill Park.
Practical Info: Drone Delivery And Robotaxis
- Tickets: Free park entry. Pay per order or ride via Alipay/WeChat Pay
- Location: North Bay Harbor, Zone A, Shenzhen Bay Park, Nanshan District
- How Long to Allocate: 1-2 hours
- Special Note: Ensure you have the Meituan app set up and ready to go!
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5. THRILLS: Happy Valley (Teen Activities - Nanshan)
Roller Coasters And A Full Day Of RidesHappy Valley is Shenzhen's go-to theme park for big rides, with nine themed zones and more than 100 rides and shows. Teens who've done Ocean Park will want the bigger coasters here. Night tickets are a smart option if you're doing a half-day elsewhere first.
Practical Info: Visiting Happy Valley
- Tickets: About ¥260 adult, ¥208 youth and student, night tickets ¥130-140 from 5:30pm
- Location: OCT East area, Nanshan District
- Opening Hours: Generally 10am-10pm, check on the day
- How Long to Allocate: Full day, or 4-5 hours with a night ticket
- Special Note: Many coasters have height limits of about 1.4m and up. Check which coasters are running before you book
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Qianhai: The Adrenaline Day
The snow slopes, dive pool and ninja course all sit in the same Huafa Ice and Snow World complex, next to Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center. It's out in Bao'an near the airport, so plan it as a full day. Take Metro Line 20 to Convention & Exhibition City Station.
Nearest crossing from Hong Kong: Shenzhen Bay Port by cross-border bus. US Visa on Arrival: Shekou Cruise Port by ferry.
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6. SNOW: Huafa Snow World (Teen Activities - Qianhai)
Ski The World's Largest Indoor SlopesGuinness certified Huafa Snow World as the world's largest indoor ski center in 2025, and it doubles as a training base for the Hong Kong Ski Team. There are five slopes, the longest at 463m with an 83m vertical drop, and the cold zone sits at around -6°C. Beginners have their own slopes, while confident skiers and snowboarders can take the cable cars to the top.
Buy Tickets For Huafa Snow World
Practical Info: Visiting Huafa Snow World
- Tickets: From HK$380 for a 3-hour beginner and novice slope pass. Advanced slopes, cable cars and the snow park are separate tickets
- Location: Next to Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, Bao'an District
- How Long to Allocate: Half a day
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays. Pack warm layers, gloves and a beanie
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7. DIVE: Universal Diving (Teen Activities - Qianhai)
Learn To Dive In A 33m-Deep Indoor PoolRight next to the snow slopes, Universal Diving has an indoor pool that drops to 33m, with platforms at 1.3m, 5m, 10m and 20m, underwater air bells and a simulated cave. The 90-minute discovery sessions cover freediving, mermaid or scuba, and they're open to complete beginners, including non-swimmers. The water stays at 27-32°C year-round, and parents can watch through acrylic viewing windows.
Buy Tickets For Universal Diving
Practical Info: Visiting Universal Diving
- Tickets: From US$49.29 (about HK$385) for a beginner session on Klook. Weekend surcharges apply
- Location: Units 3021-3024, Building S2, Super Sense Park, Huafa Ice and Snow World, Bao'an District
- Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
- Age: Minimum 7 years old and 1.4m tall
- How Long to Allocate: 2 hours
- Special Note: English instruction is unconfirmed [VERIFY with venue]. Bring proper swimwear, as cotton underwear isn't allowed in the pool
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8. ACTIVE: Ultimate Ninjas (Teen Activities - Qianhai)
A Ninja Warrior-Style Course For Energetic TeensUltimate Ninjas is an obstacle course in the same Super Sense Park building as the dive pool and snow slopes, so you can stack all three into one Qianhai day. Sessions run 50 minutes, which is the right length for burning off energy between ski and dive bookings.
Buy Tickets For Ultimate Ninjas
Practical Info: Visiting Ultimate Ninjas
- Tickets: US$27.29 for a 50-minute session
- Location: Units B2003-B2005 and B2008, Level 2, Super Sense Park, Huafa Ice and Snow World, Bao'an District
- Opening Hours: 10am-9pm
- How Long to Allocate: 1 hour
- Age: 6 years and up can go unaccompanied
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Guangming: Shenzhen's New Science City
Guangming, in Shenzhen's northwest, is home to the city's new Science City. It's a long way from the border, so plan the Science and Technology Museum as its own day out. Take Metro Line 6 to Guangming Station.
Nearest crossing from Hong Kong: High-speed rail from West Kowloon to Shenzhen North, then Metro Line 6. US Visa on Arrival: Huanggang Port.
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9. SCIENCE: Shenzhen Science And Technology Museum (Teen Activities - Guangming)
Robots, AI And Space In A Zaha Hadid BuildingThe new Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum opened in May 2025 in Guangming Science City. Teens can explore exhibits on robotics, AI, aerospace and future cities across five floors, and the robot-operated coffee shop on Level 3 is worth a stop. The building, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a reason to visit by itself.
Practical Info: Visiting Shenzhen Science And Technology Museum
- Tickets: Book exhibition halls through the museum's WeChat mini program. Tickets release at 8pm, three days ahead
- Location: No. 8 Guanghui Avenue, Guangming District. Metro Line 6 to Guangming Station, Exit C or D
- Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9:30am-5pm, closed Mondays except public holidays
- How Long to Allocate: Half a day to a full day
- Special Note: Bring passports to book and enter. Guangming is far from the border, so plan this as its own day
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Longhua: Indoor Skydiving
Longhua, in north-central Shenzhen, is worth the trip for one big thrill: indoor skydiving. The wind tunnel is inside One Avenue mall, so there's food and shopping on hand once everyone's back on the ground.
Nearest crossing from Hong Kong: High-speed rail from West Kowloon to Shenzhen North, then Metro Line 4. US Visa on Arrival: Huanggang Port, then Metro Line 4.
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10. FLY: iFLY Indoor Skydiving (Teen Activities - Longhua)
Freefall Without Jumping Out Of A PlaneiFLY at One Avenue was the first indoor skydiving wind tunnel in the Greater Bay Area. After a short briefing, teens suit up and float in the tunnel with an instructor. It's a big adrenaline hit in a safe setting, and it's open to ages 3 and up, so younger siblings can have a go too.
Practical Info: Visiting iFLY Shenzhen
- Tickets: US$54 for a flight experience
- Location: Shop 023, L1, Block C, One Avenue, Longhua District. 1.3km from Exit A, Longhua Station, Metro Line 4
- Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
- Age: 3 years and up, with weight limits by height
- How Long to Allocate: 30-60 minutes, including training
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More Recommendations
Window of the World (Nanshan): Miniature versions of world landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the pyramids, make for a full afternoon of photos. Student tickets are about ¥130 against ¥220 for adults, so bring student ID. It's right by Happy Valley, which makes it easy to pair the two.
Lianhua Mountain Park (Futian): An easy hike to the top gives you one of the best views of the Futian skyline, and it's a short hop from UpperHills. Go late in the afternoon for sunset. There's a drone delivery point in the park too.
Dafen Oil Painting Village (Longgang): Alleys full of working artists' studios, where teens can watch paintings being made and pick up affordable canvases. It's a good pick for creative teens who've had enough of malls.
Is Shenzhen a good day trip from Hong Kong with teens?
Yes, if you stick to one area per day. Futian is 14 minutes from West Kowloon by high-speed rail, and Nanshan is close to the Shenzhen Bay crossing. Qianhai and Guangming are further out, so plan those as full days or stay overnight.
Do foreigners need a visa to visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong?
No for UK, Australian and French citizens, who get 30 days visa-free at any crossing. US citizens can get the Shenzhen 5-Day Visa on Arrival at Luohu, Huanggang or Shekou, paid in RMB cash. It covers Shenzhen only and isn't issued at Futian, Shenzhen Bay or West Kowloon.
How do you pay for things in Shenzhen as a visitor?
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay for almost everything. Both apps let visitors link an international Visa or Mastercard. Drone delivery, robotaxis and many attraction bookings only work through these apps, so set them up and test a small payment before you cross the border.
What is the best thing to do in Shenzhen with teenagers?
The DJI flagship store at OCT Harbour is our top pick for tech-mad teens. It's free to enter, has supervised drone flying and sits next to Shenzhen Bay Park, where you can order lunch by drone. Sporty teens will prefer skiing, diving and ninja courses in Qianhai.
Can you visit Shenzhen with teens without speaking Mandarin?
Yes, but expect most signage and staff to be Mandarin first. Download a translation app, save addresses in Chinese characters to show drivers, and book attractions through Trip.com or Klook, which have English listings. Bigger malls like UpperHills are used to English-speaking visitors.
Want more Shenzhen ideas?
Melanie Barnish
Melanie is an Australian mother of three and lived in Hong Kong for years! She now lives in sunny Australia and leads both our travel editorial and regional marketing projects
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