Shenzhen trip

[blueskull]

Is there anyone here living in Shenzhen or have been there? I have a business trip to HK, and I think in the meantime I can have a day or two in Shenzhen.
Any ideas where to go and what kind of time budget I'm looking for? I'm on a very tight schedule, so saving time is one major concern.
So far my plan is to arrive Shenzhen on 26th afternoon, and depart HK on 28th, so I have 26th (Sun) evening and entire 27th (Mon) in Shenzhen, and I need to rush to HK on 28th morning, and catch my flight to Seattle at 11:45.

I'm looking for electronics ideas (latest Chinese innovations an clones of latest prototypes that have yet hit market) and trying to find some local open (walk-in) maker community.
I'm NOT interested in computer parts, Shanzhai phones, factories or attractions.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I'm looking for electronics ideas (latest Chinese innovations an clones of latest prototypes that have yet hit market) and trying to find some local open (walk-in) maker community.
I'm NOT interested in computer parts, Shanzhai phones, factories or attractions.

AIUI there aren't any real maker spaces, only fake ones set up for govt. funding.
If you've not been, the HQB markets are a must, just to sample the craziness, but I don't recall seeing anything  in the way of latest innovations that weren't on Aliexpress, but maybe there are people here with some more insider info.
If you are staying in HK, it may be easiest to just do a day trip to avoid sorting out accommodation etc. for whatever's left of the afternoon.
If you need to get the port visa, you may have to wait up to an hour at LoWu at the visa office, but time from HK to feet on ground at HQB can be under 2hrs all-in even with a bit of a wait.

[coppice]

As Mike Selectricstuff said, if you are only going for a day or two, its probably best to stick to HuaQiang Bei, the area around the HuaQiang Lu metro station. The SEG mall is the part that most westerners stick to, because you can get by with English there. If you speak and read Chinese there are a lot of other electronics activities in the towers near SEG which will be accessible to you.

[NiHaoMike]

Try to schedule an in person meeting with Bunnie Huang and/or Naomi Wu. Maybe one of them can even be your tour guide.

[amyk]

AFAIK Bunnie is in Singapore, and I wouldn't try Naomi unless you really want the attention...

Useful map: http://www.seeedstudio.com/document/pdf/Shenzhen%20Map%20for%20Makers.pdf

This place, next to the SEG, is worth looking at if you like LEDs and related products: http://www.hq-mart.com/

[NiHaoMike]

I think he has plans to commercialize a design he's working on, in which case a bit of fame goes a long way in marketing. Also take advantage of social networking since I'm sure Naomi knows a lot of other engineers in Shenzhen, at least one was even featured in one of her tour videos.

[tautech]

The rail system there is pretty good for getting around but as you're wanting to have some flexibility I'd suggest you print both these maps and carry them with you.
http://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/en/services/routemap.pdf
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/guangdong/shenzhen-metro.jpg

[coppice]

I think so far I will settle my schedule to visit HQB only. I am native Mandarin speaker, so I think I don't need a local guide. I assume I can get around without knowing Cantonese.
@Coppice: Do I need to pick up some quick Cantonese for my trip in HK? Or is Mandarin enough for me to stay in HK for a few days? Also, do you know any low cost routes from SZX to HKG? I know I can use CKS, but it's a bit expensive at 295 RMB. Is there a not-too-time-consuming subway route that I can take?

Mandarin won't always get you very far in HK, but don't bother with Cantonese. Just use English if Mandarin doesn't work.

CKS run boats to various places in the Pearl Delta. You don't want those. Just take a HK MTR network train to the border at Lo Wu. They run every couple of minutes. The HK immigration and China immigration desks sit between the Lo Wu station on the HK side, and the Luo Hu metro station on the China side (Its the same station name on both sides. They just differ in the Cantonese vs Mandarin readings of the Hanzi). You walk from the HK station, through the 2 immigration counters, and right outside in an escalator down into the Shenzhen metro. From there take a metro train to Hua Qiang Lu station. Its only a few stops from Luo Hu, and its a couple of minutes walk from there to SEG. SEG is signposted from the station. Most of the other interesting places are less than a block from SEG.

[Mjolinor]

I used the ferry one way and the train back. I was shocked by the amount and severity of the security in the train station. I suppose I didn't see it going from HK because we got the boat at the airport maybe.

I didn't find anything interesting in Shenzhen which I suppose was an opportunity wasted. Is it really any different from Beijing. I worked quite a lot there and probably visited everything to do with electronics that they have. I spent all the time I wasn't working wandering round such places.

[coppice]

I used the ferry one way and the train back. I was shocked by the amount and severity of the security in the train station. I suppose I didn't see it going from HK because we got the boat at the airport maybe.

I didn't find anything interesting in Shenzhen which I suppose was an opportunity wasted. Is it really any different from Beijing. I worked quite a lot there and probably visited everything to do with electronics that they have. I spent all the time I wasn't working wandering round such places.

It depends when you go. Around big international events, and for a few months after a terrorist attack in China, the metro stations x-ray every bag taken into the stations.

[Mjolinor]

I think it was more the huge, blank concrete walls with razor wire on, they were really high too.

[Bicurico]

I was in Shenzhen two years ago. I went with my wife and daughter to HK for 1 week of holiday (amazing place) and we went one day to Macau and one day to Shenzhen.

You go by train and the trip take I guess 1h (?) from HK to Shenzhen. When you arrive, you need to go through border control and purchase a one day visa. This takes a lot of time and is difficult to fully understand if you are a foreigner. Fortunately I had a friend in Shenzhen who toured me. You will definitely need to go in the morning and plan the whole day!

Shenzhen is hands down worth the trip, because it feels like being in the future (kind of Blade Runner style, but not dark - rather coloured, instead).

The malls are amazing: imagine the Alibaba online shop in real life. You have for instance a huge mall only with electronics components. A WHOLE MALL!!! Then I went to another mall that had basically only second hand test equipment. Like being on eBay, but ready to pay and go. Again, simply amazing.

But:

- I went with my wife and daughter and though they were sympatethic with my hype, they clearly were not enjoying these malls that much, so I felt in a hurry to move on to different themed malls (imitation, fashion, bags, phones, etc.).
- Prices are not amazing, simply because they are not better than eBay prices, which makes sense as the stuff comes from here and China pays for the shipping. Also, eBay sellers don't have to run a physical store, so they will be even cheaper.
- Prices are to be discussed. Kind of hard when you don't speak the language and fail to understand their culture. Make sure you have a calculator with you to calculate the price in your currency and to simply enter your offering price. On some items in HK street market I ended up paying less than half the asking price.
- Remember that you will have customs to deal with if you purchase expensive or big stuff.

In the end, the only really notable purchase I made was in HK: there was a shopping mall which had only cell phone shops (parts, second hand, counterfeit, originals, repairs, ...) in downtown (close to the Lady market, I think that was the name). Here I bought a second hand Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (original) in as new condition for a really low price (about 200 Euro in 2015). Best purchase of the year - I am still using it.

Interestingly, I did not buy anything in Shenzhen. To do so, I would have required:

- at least one day ALONE (no family, no friend, no guide) to browse all malls and shops
- internet to confirm product models/versions and prices
- money to spend

If you are into purchasing Test Equipment, make sure you know the differences of China models vs Export models (Uni-T, Siglent, Rigol, etc.).

Don't waste time on fake phones (iPhone, Samsung): they all suck and feature fake CPU, screen resolution, etc.

There are shopping malls only with amateur radio stuff. Nice, but then you can purchase Baofeng on eBay for less than 30 Euro - the ones I bought online didn't even go through customs plus you get eBay/Paypal protection, which is more than you get in a shop in Shenzhen.

Most important advice: just enjoy your stay at Shenzhen and appreciate the dynamic. You really feel you are close to the world's electronic manufacturing site. It is just amazing to see all these small shops with small pick and place machines producing whatever...

Regards,
Vitor

[Mjolinor]

Blade Runner is perfect. I never thought about that but for sure it describes it well.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Also don't miss the dodgy phone-parts areas, on the opposite side of the main road to SEG, hear the station (#40 on the makers map) , and the vendors selling stuff on the streets surrounding this building.

Istr they closed quite early so maybe take a look before getting stuck into the main areas.

[tautech]

We'd love an update on how your trip went, things you saw and places you'd recommend when/if you get a chance.
TIA

[janekm]

I'm looking for electronics ideas (latest Chinese innovations an clones of latest prototypes that have yet hit market) and trying to find some local open (walk-in) maker community.
I'm NOT interested in computer parts, Shanzhai phones, factories or attractions.

AIUI there aren't any real maker spaces, only fake ones set up for govt. funding.
If you've not been, the HQB markets are a must, just to sample the craziness, but I don't recall seeing anything  in the way of latest innovations that weren't on Aliexpress, but maybe there are people here with some more insider info.
If you are staying in HK, it may be easiest to just do a day trip to avoid sorting out accommodation etc. for whatever's left of the afternoon.
If you need to get the port visa, you may have to wait up to an hour at LoWu at the visa office, but time from HK to feet on ground at HQB can be under 2hrs all-in even with a bit of a wait.

Well, there is at least one "real maker space" without government funding, ours  https://lab0x0.com

We're always happy to welcome anyone visiting to Shenzhen, though if you've only got a day and a half it might not be worth it since there's not much to see you wouldn't see in any other makerspace around the world.

I also agree you won't see much that you wouldn't see on aliexpress et al, and of course HQB is worth a visit for the overwhelming experience of so many LEDs / phones / power banks / flavour of the month in one place.

BTW for anyone doing a short HK / SZ visit, consider getting the dual network SIM at HK airport, it will give you easy access to the non-firewalled Internet while in the mainland at pretty reasonable rates.

[cdev]

Take a lot of photos of things you find interesting, and upload the best ones.

[tautech]

BTW for anyone doing a short HK / SZ visit, consider getting the dual network SIM at HK airport, it will give you easy access to the non-firewalled Internet while in the mainland at pretty reasonable rates.

Yep, very good advice.
My Vodafone SIM worked fine in HK but not across the border but a nice Chinese cop dialed the # I needed and let me use his phone.    I must have looked really lost. 

[janekm]

BTW for anyone doing a short HK / SZ visit, consider getting the dual network SIM at HK airport, it will give you easy access to the non-firewalled Internet while in the mainland at pretty reasonable rates.

Yep, very good advice.
My Vodafone SIM worked fine in HK but not across the border but a nice Chinese cop dialed the # I needed and let me use his phone.    I must have looked really lost. 

I have a T mobile LTE card which I use in the US, and it has 4G access in China without GFW.
I also have an Amazon Lightsail server set up as SSH socks proxy.
Besides, I have long term access to ExpressVPN, not only for use in China, but also for use in US to circumvent Youtube geographical license lock.

For use in mainland, I have a China Unicom card which I had since 2010. That's the card I use to receive gotchas for shopping on Chinese shops with Chinese banks while in the US.
My OnePlus 5 phone can use 2 cards simultaneously.

You’re definitely better prepared than most visitors to the mainland then
Roaming on 4G does usually work without GFW but can get expensive unless one has a good International roaming bundle.

Hope you enjoy your stay... I would suggest meeting up for some drinks or something but you’re probably running a bit short on time?

[aargee]

The things you learn, I honestly didn't realise Shenzhen was so close to Honkers until I looked at the map.

Should do a few days trip from Aus for a look around.

[BFX]

I'm still in Shanghai (3 weeks, now is last week) and I visited local SEG market at Saturday, and it is more than Digikey
Only one think what I expected and didn't found is TS100 soldering iron.
But it's maybe only because I was not able to find that. And second problem here in Shanghai is that no one speak English and I don't speak Chinese.
Third problem was that I got sick and I spent one weekend wasted in hotel bed.

[cdev]

There is an electronics market in Shanghai? Did you take any photos? Would love to see them and have any other info if you did.

[janekm]

I've visited HK and SZ on my trip back to home a few days ago, and I will post a video on that topic once I return to my home in US.

Overall, it's not as excited as I expected. I was expecting Digikey in real life, which is apparently not the case.

It is indeed very different to digikey. What you have is a thousand or more separate small distributors and factory representatives each specialising in different components / ICs. For connectors / switches etc there's a lot of overlap since low-cost electronics have standardised on a small number of common types for these. For ICs it's pretty much pointless to go to the markets yourself since it'll take far too long to find the right distributors, so it makes much more sense to get these from sourcing agents (who will get a better price than you anyway).

But it is useful to see what the common, low-cost components are, at least once!

[mikeselectricstuff]

There are people sitting right out of the malls selling fake tax invoice (for dodging tax or for corrupting reimbursement)

 One of the first  sounds of the area you hear when you emerge from the station is these people repeating "Byao Byao Byao". Then as soon as you enter a building, the sound of parcel tape.
The first time I went there was the day before Singles day, so this was extreme - yellow parcel tape and boxes wherever you look.

[schmitt trigger]

I haven't been in HK since the late 80s, it still was a British colony, although the handover to China had already been agreed in principle.

The trip's highlight was landing at Kai Tak airport, it was every bit as thrilling as you see in the Youtube videos.

But somethings have not changed, namely the huge social disparity and the fact that there are many people wanting to take advantage from tourists.