A miniature replica of the Temple of Shanxi in Shenzhen, China
At Window of the World, you can see miniatures of 130 world sites, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower and Angkor Wat. Splendid China, its sister site, gives you a taste of what you can see elsewhere in the country, such as the Hanging Temple — you can actually climb to its top in Shanxi province. Walk through the miniature cultural villages and learn about China's minority ethnic groups.
Nanshan Park in Shenzhen, China
If you're feeling a little full from your last authentic Chinese meal, do some scenic stairmastering at Nanshan Mountain. Climb the 700 steps to the top and admire views of the modern city from the lush green surroundings. If you're fast enough, one hour up and one hour down should be enough time to budget.
Watch for over 200 bird species in the Mangrove Seashore Ecology Park and enjoy the quiet green space and views over the water to Hong Kong. Hong Kong's Mai Po Marshes are one of the world's great birdwatching paradises as birds migrating from Siberia rest in the fishponds. Cruise to Shenzhen, China take a walk under the coconut palms and soak in the view across Shezhen Bay.
Being so close to Hong Kong, Cantonese food is popular in Shenzhen, but you can find food from all over China here. Congee, or rice porridge, is daily fare Shenzhen, often for breakfast but available any time. It's typically served with added spinach, mushrooms, chicken or beef, as well as lots of spicy and pickled vegetables. Try duck congee, a Shenzhen specialty.
Hong Kong residents come to Shenzhen on weekends to hunt for bargains at the 700 shops of Luohu Commercial City. The OCT-LOFT complex is a trendy converted factory which houses galleries, fashion boutiques and cafes. During your Shenzhen, China cruise, look for original fashion and local crafts like paper lanterns.