Living in SZ | The Nanshan District you can’t miss (II)

If you are seeking a fun weekend without having to travel far, Nanshan District is truly a great destination. The district in western Shenzhen has a wave of other fun places beyond the historic sites to offer. Let’s explore the modern aspects of the district, along with its beautiful natural scenery and vibrant cultural landscape.

Sea World 

Sea World has long been a landmark of Shekou for Shenzheners and tourists alike, especially its mesmerizing after-dark views and vibrant nightlife. 

The music fountain near the Minghua Cruise in Shekou. Photo from official WeChat account "深圳妇联"

Just south of the Minghua Cruise boat, which now serves as an entertainment venue housing various restaurants and bars, lies the famous music fountain. The fountain, with performances held at night from Tuesday to Sunday, boasts 188 laser transmitters arranged in an S shape, stretching 168 meters. It sends water columns soaring up to 50 meters high, all showcased in a stunning 360-degree panoramic display. 

Officially opened to the public on Dec. 20, 2013, the water fountain performances are free and take place at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, with additional special performances at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Each performance lasts about 10 minutes, and features different arrangements of water dances, music, lights and fireworks.

Metro: Sea World Station, Line 2 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A

OCT Harbor 

OCT Harbor offers a delightful blend of shopping, dining, and leisurely people-watching experiences.

OCT Harbor. Photo from official WeChat account "创想华侨城"

Covering a total area of 1.25 million square meters, this purpose-built waterfront area is designed to provide a range of attractions, including a shopping mall, an artificial beach, and the OCT Wetland Park. A leisurely stroll along its man-made canal, flanked by a variety of restaurants on both sides, offers a relaxing retreat from the urban hustle and bustle of downtown Shenzhen. 

The beach at OCT Harbor. Photo from official WeChat account "创想华侨城"

The wetland park serves as an important transit hub and habitat for migratory birds. It seamlessly integrates ecological tourism and nature education with a lush mangrove forest, making it a haven for both wildlife and visitors seeking a closer connection to nature.

Located south of the Binhai Boulevard and opposite the OCT Harbor is one of the main entrances to Shenzhen Bay Park, a sprawling stretch that extends more than 10 kilometers from Futian to Sea World in Shekou. 

Metro: Shenzhen Bay Park, Line 9 to Shenzhen Bay Park Station (深圳湾公园站), Exit E

Theme parks in OCT

The OCT area is home to a number of well-known theme parks in Shenzhen, each offering unique experiences for visitors.

Window of the World 

The Window of the World boasts replicas of world wonders, historical sites and famous landmarks, meticulously built to scale at ratios of 1:1, 1:5 and 1:15. Within one single day, you can visit iconic attractions from various countries across the globe, from Angkor Wat of Cambodia to the Eiffel Tower of France and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, from the Niagara Waterfalls of the United States to Sydney Opera House.

A night view of Window of the World. Photo from Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station (世界之窗站), Exit J

Splendid China and China Folk Cultural Villages

Formerly two theme parks next to each other in the OCT, Splendid China and China Folk Cultural Villages merged in 2003. The Splendid China part features 82 miniatures of renowned sites from around China, most of which are scaled down at a ratio of 1:15, offering visitors a comprehensive view of the country’s major attractions. The China Folk Culture Villages, west to Splendid China, makes it possible for visitors to immerse themselves in the traditional architecture, folk activities and culinary delights of most of China’s 55 ethnic minority groups within a day trip. Here, villages of 22 minority groups have been reproduced at a ratio of 1:1, allowing visitors to view folk houses of these ethnic groups while joining their traditional festivals. If you come at the right time, you will be able to join in their unique festivals, such as the Water-splashing Festival of Dai, the Torch Festival of Yi, and the Knife Bar Festival of Lisu.

Performers stage a drum performance at Splendid China. Photo from Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit D

Happy Valley 

When talking about Shenzhen’s water theme parks, Happy Valley and its water park stand out as one of the primary destinations. Opened in 1998 in the OCT, Maya Water Park enjoys the fame of the “water paradise in downtown Shenzhen” for its classic water-based recreation programs that cater to both adult visitors and children.

Visitors play with water at Maya Water Park in Happy Valley. Photo from Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Beyond the Maya Water Park, this theme park boasts a diverse array of exciting recreational amenities catering to the contemporary entertainment preferences of visitors. Spanning 350,000 square meters, Happy Valley features nine areas with distinctive themes, such as Spanish Square, Mt. Adventure and Shangri-La Woods. The park hosts different performances, including magic shows, acrobatics and extreme sports, for its guests.

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station (世界之窗站), Exit A

OCT Loft Creative Cultural Park 

Said to be Shenzhen’s trendy cultural hub, OCT Loft is a redeveloped industrial estate with many cafes, artworks, exhibitions and creative boutiques that are worth an afternoon exploration. Highly recommended by Lonely Planet, this locale offers a laid-back vibe, in stark contrast to the fast-paced and busy environment of Shenzhen.

OCT Loft Creative Cultural Park. Photo from Dute News

Metro: Line 1 to OCT East Station (侨城东站), Exit A; or Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station, Exit B