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Getting around Shenzhen – The Complete Guide
A distinctive Shenzhen Taxi
In 2014 Shenzhen was ranked as the most crowded city in China and there are now more than 15 million people living here across seven districts. Somewhat surprisingly the transportation systems manage to cope well with the growing population as the government continues to expand the travel networks across the city. With a little patience and a little knowledge you can expect to move fairly effortlessly from one destination to another.
Shenzhen Metro
The Shenzhen Metro is probably one of the most convenient and easy to understand methods of travel. Fast and efficient subway trains run every 3 to 5 minutes and currently five lines can transfer you to most popular destinations in the city. The subway and trains offer a very high standard of clean, safe and easy travel and stations are announced in both Mandarin and English. Metro tickets are priced according to the distance traveled, and fares vary from 2 Yuan to 11 Yuan. Children under six get to travel free if accompanied by an adult.
You will find new, high quality trains across the network
You can pay by cash or travel card and ticket machines offer both English and Chinese instructions. Simply touch the station name to calculate the fare. After payment a green token is dispensed, which must be scanned as you enter and deposited when you exit a station. Don’t lose your token, you will be charged a penalty fee if it is lost! All luggage and handbags have to pass through an X-Ray scanner as you enter the subway, but strangely in my experience, shopping bags are always waved through unchecked!
If you are spending any length of time in Shenzhen then I would definitely recommend investing in a travel card, known locally as a “Shenzhen Tong”. This card can be used on both the metro and on the extensive bus system, and you will enjoy a small additional discount.
To buy a Tong Card, go to one of the manned booths in the metro stations and give them 100 Yuan. They will keep 50 Yuan as a returnable deposit, and put 50 Yuan credit on the card. Each time you use the card on the metro or bus system you can see how much credit you have remaining, ensuring that you top up before running out!
All stations have public toilets, telephones and cell phone service is available throughout the network if you subscribe to China Mobile, China Telecom or China Unicom.
A word of warning though – please “Be Careful of Pinching” when traveling on the metro! No, it’s not a sign about theft, it’s a sign on all the train doors – be careful not to get caught in the doors! “Chinglish” at it’s best!
The Shenzhen Metro Company has a good website in English with a journey planner and a full set of maps.
Buses
With almost 500 bus lines and around 10,000 buses, Shenzhen has an excellent city bus system. There are three main bus companies and buses on main transport routes are plentiful.
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/getting-around-shenzhen/
