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 ■ Population: 11.2 million
■ Currency: Chinese Yuan or Renminbi (RMB)
■ Country and city code: +86, +755
■ Tourist info: Shenzhen Tourism Bureau, 1/F Citizen’s Centre, No 3 Fuzhong Road, Futian District
■ websites: www.english.sz.gov.cn; www.shenzhenwindow.net
FUN FACT
While China is preparing for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Shenzhen is building a “Universiade City” in preparation of the international university sporting event in 2011.
Xia Sha Public Square (Xia Sha Village, south of Binhe Boulevard)
Painted figures from Chinese folklore (The Eight Immortals, The Laughing Buddha) surround a square where the locals take in the air, while a folk temple and an ancestral hall round it all out. Don’t miss the lamp posts depicting characters from legends and fairytales.
 Sungang Toy and Stationery Warehouse (Bao’an Nan Road)
This area is where Guangdong’s toy factories are. uy stuffed toys, radio-controlled cars and helicopters, magic supplies and more, at great factory prices. Don’t forget to bargain. Open from 9am to 7pm.
SEG Tower (corner of Shennan and Huaqiang Roads)
The city’s second tallest building is a marvel of modern architecture. Inside, its oriental bazaar is a maze of shops and booths selling computer systems as well as its components. Most shops are open from 9am to 7pm.
NYPD (Shop D1, Jun Huang Ming Ju, Fuqiang Road, Futian District, tel: +86 (0)755 8204 0503 or 137 9847 1160 for English)
New York Pizza Delivery makes a high-quality pizza at a decent price: a 9” pie is RMB48 (SGD10), 12” is RMB68 (SGD14), and “the biggest pizza in China,” a full 16”, is just RMB108 (SGD22). They will deliver anywhere in Luohu, Futian, and Nanshan (even Shekou) for under RMB20 (SGD3.95) delivery charge. $$
Europe Bar Street at Windows of the World (Windows of the World)
This charming drinking venue has European-style buildings with sidewalk cafe ambience. Some of the most popular bars have opened branches here (3D Bar, Coko Club, Day and Night), as well as promising newcomers (Lolita Bar, Mask Club, U’can Bar). Catch the Window of the World fireworks show around 8pm.
InterContinental Shenzhen (9009 Shennan Road, tel: +86 (0)755 3399 3388)
Cool Mediterranean styling with a life-size Spanish galleon mark this remodel of the old Shenzhen Bay Hotel. Within 15 minutes’ walk of the OCT theme parks, it boasts numerous restaurants and clubs with live entertainment. Room rates start from RMB1,500 (SGD300). $$
BY JAMES BAQUET
FOR EXCLUSIVE DEALS, BOOK HOTELS AT www.TIGERAIRWAYS.COM
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