Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [191]
Jīn Yuè Xuān ( 0755-8886 8880; 1st-4th fl, Seyou Bldg, 6013 Shennan Dadao; dim sum Y4.80-20.80, meals per person Y60-190; 11am-3pm, 5.30-10.30pm; Chēgōngmiào metro, exit C or D) The meticulous 200-item dim sum menu is amazing, as is Jīn Yuè Xuān’s impressive interior.
Laurel (Dānguìxuān; 0755-8232 1888; 2nd fl, Century Plaza Hotel, 1 Chunfeng Lu; meals per person Y50-180; 7am-11pm) The Luohu branch ( 0755-8232 3668; Shop 5010, 5th fl, Luohu Commercial City; 7am-11pm) is a handy choice if you are shopping at Luohu Commercial City, but the main branch at the Century Plaza Hotel serves better dim sum.
Made in Kitchen (Chúfáng Zhìzào; 0755-8261 1639; 7th fl, Kingglory Plaza, 2028 Renmin Lu; appetisers Y15-95, mains Y55-208; 9.30am-11.30pm; Gúomào metro, exit A) The menu in this attractive, stylish fusion spot is a feast for the eyes and palate, with over 400 diverse choices, from pad thai noodles to sashimi to steak.
Muslim Hotel Restaurant (Músīlín Bīnguǎn Dàcānguǎn; 0755-8225 9664; 2nd fl, Muslim Hotel, 2013 Wenjing Nanlu; dishes Y28-68; 10am-11pm; minibus 430) If you fancy trying huí (Chinese Muslim) food, head for this halal restaurant, where you can sample various beef and mutton dishes.
Phoenix House (Fènghuánglóu; 0755-8207 6688, 0755-8207 6338; East Wing, Pavilion Hotel, 4002 Huaqiang Beilu; lunch Y60-80, dinner Y100-350; 7.30am-11pm; Huáqiánglù metro, exit A) The best Cantonese restaurant in town, but expect rowdy waits for 30 minutes or more after 11.30am.
Summer Tea House (Jìngyí Cháguǎn; 0755-2557 4555; 7th & 8th fl, Jīntáng Dàxià, 3038 Bao’an Nanlu; tea-tasting per person Y28, meals Y28-68; 10am-1am) Tucked away in an office building near Xīhú Bīnguǎn is this veggies’ favourite in Shenzhen, with good-for-you ingredients, a relaxing tea-tasting area and a smoke-free dining hall (hurrah!). No English menu, but colourful pictures illustrate the dishes.
West Lake Spring (Xīhú Chūntiān; 0755-8211 6988; 2nd-3rd fl, Parkway Tower, 3019 Sungang Lu; dishes Y21-180; 11am-2.30pm & 5-10pm; 18, get off at Xīhú Bīnguǎn) This Hángzhōu restaurant gets the thumbs-up from locals. There’s an English-less menu with pictures. The signature dishes, Lóngjǐng Xiārén (; stir-fried freshwater shrimp with Longjing tea leaves; Y78) and Sòngsǎo Yúgēng (; yellow croaker fish soup; small/large Y38/48), deserve savouring.
Return to beginning of chapter
DRINKING
Finding a venue in Shenzhen for anything from a quiet drink to a raucous knees-up after a hard day of bargaining is easy. There are upmarket bars galore below Citic City Plaza (Zhōngxìn Chéngshì Guǎngchǎng), at Coco Park in Futian and SeaWorld (Hǎishàng Shìjiè; ) in Shékǒu. The following locals’ favourites are also worth a shot.
C: Union (Yīdùtáng; 10am-2am; Qiáochéngdōng metro, exit A) This warehouse-turned-Bohemian-style drinking haunt is where rebellious local bands jam every night after 10pm. It has a good mix of blues and punk rock, and is absolutely pop-music-free.
True Colour (Běnsè; 0755-8230 1833; 4th fl, Golden World, 2001 Jiefang Lu; 9am-1am; Lǎojiē metro, exit A) Clubbers should check out this night-time playground of young Shenzhenians. Its watering-hole-plus-dancefloor formula attracts city slickers and trendy young adults alike.
Return to beginning of chapter
SLEEPING
Hotels in Shenzhen discount deeply during the week, slicing as much as 60% off the regular rack rate, though you should ask for a discount no matter when you go.
Shangri-La (Xiānggélǐlā Dàjiǔdiàn; 0755-8233 0888; www.shangri-la.com/shenzhen; 1002 Jianshe Lu; d Y1598-1950, ste Y2500; ) This classic, luxurious hotel is one of the best places to stay in Luohu District that offers free wi-fi. Its new branch, Futian Shangri-La (Shēnzhèn Fútián Xiānggélǐlā Dàjiǔdiàn; 0755-8828 4088; 4088 Yitian Lu; r Y1340-1988, ste Y2500; ), in Futian District