Moving to Shenzhen
Start with the next right thing.
Practical guides, trusted sources and local tips to help you plan, arrive and settle in Shenzhen. From temporary stays to housing, schools, work and everyday life — everything you need in one place.
A global city
with opportunity
and a great quality
of life.
Shenzhen Move & Temporary Stay Map
Choose an area, check your daily journey, then explore places to stay.
Choose a base for your own routine
Nanshan
Tech offices, parks and the bay
Open area guide →Futian
Central offices and city connections
Open area guide →Shekou
Waterfront walks and an established international community
Open area guide →Bao’an
Western Shenzhen and airport-oriented plans
Open area guide →Longhua
Northern neighborhoods and Shenzhen North rail access
Open area guide →Luohu
Established streets and Luohu border access
Open area guide →Best temporary base for your move
Start with what matters to your first days.
Arrive late · airport first night ›Start work in Futian ›Work in Nanshan · tech & innovation ›Family arrival · rooms and school routes ›Hong Kong travel · choose your crossing ›Apartment hunting · compare longer stays ›Area callouts are broad references, not hotel entrance locations.
Search hotels in Shenzhen
Choose dates to prepare a booking-site search. Room availability and prices are checked on the provider’s site.
View dated search on Booking.com ↗Temporary stays for newcomers
14 source-backed places to investigate. Choose your base first, then explore the city.
14 places to explore
Hotel photographFour Seasons Shenzhen
Futian CBD
A central Futian base while you explore homes near work.
Booking checks & image
A hotel room is a short-term base; compare the full cost and room layout for a longer stay.
Photo: Four Seasons Shenzhen official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Hotel photographRaffles Shenzhen
One Shenzhen Bay
A premium Shenzhen Bay base for settling into southern Nanshan.
Booking checks & image
Choose it for its exact location and room type; a bay view does not establish your future commute.
Photo: Raffles Shenzhen official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Hotel photographHilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai
Shekou waterfront
A waterfront base for exploring Shekou and its family routines.
Booking checks & image
Check the journey to your own work or school. Confirm connecting rooms and children’s access.
Photo: Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Hotel photographShangri-La Shenzhen
Luohu Port / Shenzhen Railway Station
Arriving through Luohu or exploring established eastern neighborhoods.
Booking checks & image
This is the Luohu property, not Futian Shangri-La. Check your chosen border crossing separately.
Photo: Shangri-La Shenzhen official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Hotel photographHyatt Regency Shenzhen Airport
Shenzhen Airport / Terminal 3
A first night in the airport complex before continuing into the city.
Booking checks & image
An airport overnight does not test everyday city life. Confirm mainland entry and the terminal route.
Photo: Hyatt Regency Shenzhen Airport official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Hotel photographInterContinental Shenzhen
Overseas Chinese Town (OCT)
A family base in OCT while exploring western central Shenzhen.
Booking checks & image
The sand-beach pool is inside the hotel grounds. Confirm family occupancy and included facility access.
Photo: InterContinental Shenzhen official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Hotel photographJW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao'an
Bao'an waterfront / OH Bay
Exploring Bao’an Center and the western waterfront from a hotel with apartment options.
Booking checks & image
Select the exact apartment or room category. The property is not connected to the airport terminal.
Photo: JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao'an official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Hotel photographHyatt Place Shenzhen Airport
Terminal 3 / GTC Gate 14
A practical airport first night before the rest of your move.
Booking checks & image
Confirm the current arrivals-to-hotel route and allow for entry formalities; it is not a verified airside hotel.
Photo: Hyatt Place Shenzhen Airport official website · Image source
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-26
Area view · not the hotelHilton Shenzhen Futian
Futian CBD / Shennan Road
Starting a Futian work move from the central business district.
Booking checks & image
Confirm family room arrangements and compare the total quote, including breakfast and deposits.
Futian area · not the hotel · Area photograph; see the area guide for context.
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-27
Area view · not the hotelShenzhen Marriott Hotel Nanshan
Nanshan CBD / Haide Yi Road
Exploring Nanshan CBD and local daily services before choosing a home.
Booking checks & image
Nanshan is large. Check your exact office or school route; transfers and breakfast depend on the rate.
Nanshan area · not the hotel · Area photograph; see the area guide for context.
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-27
Area view · not the hotelResidence G Shenzhen
Dongbin Road / near Shekou
Comparing a serviced residence for a longer or family stay near Shekou.
Booking checks & image
Good Studios are listed for long-term stays only. Confirm minimum stay and category; this is not Sea World waterfront.
Nanshan area · not the hotel · Area photograph; see the area guide for context.
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-27
Area view · not the hotelFour Points by Sheraton Shenzhen Airport
Fuyong / Huaide metro
An arrival base for Fuyong or western Shenzhen near Huaide metro.
Booking checks & image
It is not terminal-connected and the source lists no airport shuttle. Arrange a separate transfer.
Airport area · not the hotel · Area photograph; see the area guide for context.
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-27Area view · not the hotelHoliday Inn Express Shenzhen Nanshan
Guimiao Road / Nanshan metro
A practical Nanshan base with self-service laundry for your first days.
Booking checks & image
Compare the exact dated quote and occupancy rules; the source lists no pool or airport shuttle.
Nanshan area · not the hotel · Area photograph; see the area guide for context.
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-27Area view · not the hotelDoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Nanshan Hotel & Residences
Qianhai Road / Nanshan
Comparing hotel and residence categories for a family or longer stay in Nanshan.
Booking checks & image
Not every category has a kitchen or fits a family. Confirm the exact layout, occupancy and minimum stay.
Nanshan area · not the hotel · Area photograph; see the area guide for context.
Property source reviewed: 2026-09-27Property photos are labelled. Six entries use existing area photographs, clearly marked as area views. Check the official hotel site for its rooms and current booking terms.
No listed hotel matches those filters. Try another area or view all stays.
Which hotel area should I choose?
Compare the daily routine and the exact journey, rather than a district-wide travel-time promise.
| Area | Best for | Main trade-off | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nanshan | Tech offices, parks and the bay | A large district: choose the exact neighborhood around your daily journey. | Area guide → |
| Futian | Central offices and city connections | Check the exact office, school and station before choosing a central address. | Area guide → |
| Shekou | Waterfront walks and an established international community | Part of Nanshan; test trips to offices or schools elsewhere in the city. | Area guide → |
| Bao’an | Western Shenzhen and airport-oriented plans | Bao’an Center and the airport area are different bases. Verify the address. | Area guide → |
| Longhua | Northern neighborhoods and Shenzhen North rail access | This hotel shortlist has no Longhua property. Use the area guide before searching stays. | Area guide → |
| Luohu | Established streets and Luohu border access | Choose the crossing and exact onward journey you need; confirm its current hours. | Area guide → |
Personalize your move
Get a useful starting plan for your situation.
Your starting points
General planning guidance. Your answers stay in this page; permit eligibility is confirmed by the responsible authority.
Your relocation progress
15 practical checks across five stages.
- 1Before you flyPlan and prepare
- 2Arrival dayGet settled
- 3First 72 hoursEssential tasks
- 4First weekSet up your life
- 5First monthBuild a routine
Before you fly
Arrival day
First 72 hours
First week
First month
Ticks are saved in this browser. Complete a check when done or confirmed inapplicable. Legal deadlines can fall earlier than these planning stages.
First-month budget calculator
Estimate your recurring budget and total arrival cash in RMB.
First-month cash = monthly budget + temporary hotel + deposit + setup.
Editable planning inputs, not verified market prices. Refundable deposits are cash needed upfront, not automatically an expense. Add flights, school fees and insurance where relevant. Prorate rent or hotel if the dates overlap.
8 arrival essentials
Open a practical guide when you need the detail.
1. SIM & internet
Get connected, check phone compatibility and keep backup data.
2. Accommodation registration
Confirm hotel registration, or register a non-hotel stay within 24 hours.
3. WeChat & Alipay
Prepare mobile payments and a second way to pay.
4. Bank account
Ask your chosen branch what it requires before visiting.
5. Housing & apartment rental
Test your commute and compare the whole rental agreement.
6. Transportation
Plan your arrival and learn the route you will use every day.
7. Health & pharmacies
Find care nearby and confirm what your insurance covers.
8. Weather & packing
Choose what to bring, ship or buy and check the official forecast.
Two checks that should come early
Register where you stay
Hotels handle guest registration. For a non-hotel stay, you or your host must register with local police within 24 hours of check-in. Nationwide online registration is available through the NIA service website, app and mini programs; in-person registration remains available.
Read the guide →Check your own permit deadline
If your visa requires a residence permit after entry, apply to the local exit-entry authority within 30 days of entering China. Confirm the documents and appointments for your own route with your employer, school or sponsor.
Read the guide →Sources, image credits and planning scope
Entry and registration guidance checked 1 November 2026. Hotel source review dates are shown on each card. These are places to investigate, not a ranking or a claim of current availability.
Houhai, Shenzhen · Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · September 2020 · Hero photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0. Proportional resize and AVIF/WebP conversion; cropped for display. Photograph derivatives retain CC BY-SA 4.0.
The area map is adapted from a published 2017 map; its labels are broad planning references. Check the exact address and current official routes.