Later this year, I will be in Hong Kong as part of our accommodation package a shopping trip to Shenzhen was included. Due to the visa problems, they are now not selling the shopping option - we can still go ahead with it - what I would really be interested in knowing - is the shopping in Shenzhen that much better than Hong Kong and by not heading there we would be missing out on a good experience.

Thanks for your replies

Ms. S.

Ugh. My ex-boss drug me over there from HK one Sunday when we were working there. Getting there is super easy on the train, but getting in and out and the visa takes time(and money).

As far as prices compared to HK, if you're looking for knock-offs (genuine copy), it is cheaper, has more different grades of quality, and much more selection. If you are looking for genuine stuff, I wouldn't bother. One of our members chinamatt? has been living there for awhile. He will obviously have much more insight.

Well worth coming to Shenzhen if you can swing it. After October 17th things should be back to "normal" we are told (after Paralympics. I think you can still get a 5 day visa for Shenzhen only but I am not exactly sure.
You can buy both origianls or copies here.,. they have been cracking down more and more on counterfeits which is a good thing.
The only thing you have to watch now is the exchange rate. Some things in Shenzhen are taxed if you buy them through department stores so HK may be cheaper. I would buy clothes and China "artifacts" in Shenzhen but electronic gear, cameras and watches are better from HK as they will have world wide warranties and be newer models than on the mainland.

quote:

would really be interested in knowing - is the shopping in Shenzhen that much better than Hong Kong

As of last month you can no longer get a shenzhen visa on the border like you used to for 150hk. Now everyone wanting to go into shenzhen must apply for a chinese visa which takes a few days and is tough to get now in Hong Kong. I was barely able to get it and i have a student visa for hong hong. But the shopping there is wwaay cheaper than HK but bargain hard and by hard I mean you can get 80% of the asking price if you're good.

Thanks all for your replies -

if we decided to go the visa would be organised before we leave. Our holiday in HK is planned for 28th Aug to 1st Sept. Our Visa all up for the two of us will cost around $85 aud ($30 each visa + courier $25).

At this stage we are thinking it may not be worth the extra bother.

Ms. S