From May Day to summer: Seasonal tourism lineup in SZ

Shenzhen has unveiled a comprehensive travel package featuring a series of seasonal tourism activities spanning from the May Day holiday through the Dragon Boat Festival and into summer vacation.

The offerings are organized into the following five themed categories.

Low-altitude adventures

The Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Media, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, in collaboration with various districts, has meticulously designed multiple low-altitude experience routes. Free flight vouchers are being distributed to residents, allowing them to enjoy helicopter rides for mountain sightseeing, coastal views, and urban panoramas. Residents can embark on an impromptu “fly anytime” aerial adventure.

Shenzhen promotes low-altitude experiences. Liu Xudong

Paragliding programs will be introduced in Dapeng New Area and the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, offering citizens and tourists an exhilarating new way to “soar between sea and sky.”

The Window of the World theme park in Nanshan District has developed a regular drone formation light show, illuminating the city’s night sky every weekend and during holidays. New drone performances are expected during the upcoming May Day holiday.

Tech-driven tourism experiences

Technology is part of people’s daily lives in Shenzhen. Citizens can not only get their food orders delivered by drone within minutes but also enjoy coffee made by robots.

Shenzhen is set to hold the inaugural Future Tourism Expo in June. The event will transform the entire city into a cultural tourism laboratory. Featuring 3D transparent screens, AR ecological theaters, and digital-physical interactive games, it will create the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s first “playable, immersive, co-creatable” cultural tourism experience.

Attendees compete at last year’s GBA Sea Dragon Boat Competition. Liu Xudong

At the same time, during the Dragon Boat Festival in June, a technology-themed festival will host multiple races, including the 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Sea Dragon Boat Competition, attracting participants and spectators from around the world.

Additionally, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum (New Building) in Guangming District will open soon. Utilizing cutting-edge technology to redefine spatial experiences, it is set to be a pioneering digital civilization innovation and technology museum globally and promises global visitors a spectacular journey into the future of innovation.

Eco-friendly scenic tours

Shenzhen has created diverse outdoor entertainment spaces through its “Mountain-Sea Vistas” project and planning initiatives.

Recognized as one of China’s top 10 hiking destinations for 2024, the Kunpeng Trail has become a hallmark of Shenzhen’s natural beauty. Spanning 20 segments, it connects 10 major mountains, approximately 20 country parks, a dozen reservoirs, cultural landmarks, over 30 urban landscapes, and nine key development zones.

Shenzhen residents are enthusiastic about exploring the city’s natural beauty. File photo

Hiking, cycling, camping, mountaineering... Sports have ran deep in the city’s DNA. No need to visit the Maldives — Judiaosha’s crystal-clear waters, Yangchouwan Beach and Dameisha Beach await visitors who wants to explore the city’s natural beauty.

Lifestyle activities

K11 ECOAST, Shenzhen’s new cultural landmark, is set to open on April 28. Inspired by Hong Kong’s K11 MUSEA, this 228,500-square-meter hub blends luxury retail, art, and nature in the heart of Taizi Bay in Nanshan District.

The 2025 Shenzhen Coffee Festival will be held at the One Avenue in Futian District from April 29 to May 5. This year, the festival is themed “regeneration,” inviting participants to explore coffee’s sustainable journey and discover infinite possibilities of sustainable living through specialty brews.

A scene from the 2024 Shenzhen Coffee Festival at One Avenue, Futian District. Lin Songtao

Additionally, the 2025 Shenzhen International Auto Show & Car Shopping Festival will be held at Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, Futian District, from May 1 to 4. The 2nd Shenzhen Pastoral Music Festival, themed “cross-boundary folk music,” will present an innovative musical extravaganza with modern interactive performances.

The 24th Golden Coast Tourism Carnival will also be held, where Yantian District’s signature Fish Lantern Dance IP character will debut.

Cultural performances

Fans of Dao Lang, Janice Vidal, Xu Song, Stefanie Sun, and Cyndi Wang should not miss the chance to see their favorite idols at their upcoming concerts in the city.

Cartoon enthusiasts won’t want to skip the Shenzhen Cartoon and Animation Festival, running from May 1 to 3 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District.

A scene from the 2022 Yantian Grassland Concert. File photo

The 12th Shenzhen International Digital Entertainment Expo will also be held where elite e-sports players will compete in ultimate showdowns.

Moreover, the 30th International Beer Festival, schedued for this summer, will spectacularly unfold at the Window of the World by integrating water-splashing festivities, electronic dance music (EDM), rock music, theatrical performances, and gourmet delights.