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About ShekouShekou is situated on the eastern coast of Pearl River estuary approximately 25 nautical miles from Hong Kong, and is a major part of the Shenzhen Economic Zone.
Best time to go: Autumn, mid-September to mid-December when humidity is lower. Humidity is high in spring / summer (March to August) and temperatures are cooler in winter (mid-November to early March).
Note that the above graphs are courtesy of the Hong Kong Observatory, more details can be found at their web-site http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm
There are many methods of travelling to Shekou, most of which I will try to cover on this site, they can be accessed via the menu bar options on the left hand side. Shekou itself is undergoing a lot of modernisation. Many of the older buildings have / are being torn down and replaced with modern shopping areas, supermarkets and high rise accommodation, whilst many of the other buildings are undergoing "face-lifts" ( still the same inside but looking almost new from the outside). With the recent construction of the new bridge linking Hong Kong Newe Terrortories to Shekou, along with many Chinese people speculating in property, prices in the area (especially property) have increased steadily in recent years, particularly housing in the sought after areas. The area being modernised at the moment in Shekou is around the Sea World area. This area has been redeveloped to include many new "foreign" restaurants and bars, and is located with a refitted cruise ship (static hotel, BBQ Restaurant and Bar) as it's centre piece.
click on image for a larger view. Shekou is a very beautiful place to visit and if crossing from Hong Kong, a gentle break-in into the ways of China. In many places it is fairly westernised, but I'm pleased to say that many places still remain unaffected. If you want real China though, you will have to go outside of the Shekou / Shenzhen area (infact away from any of the major cities). It is also a very safe place to be and crime is I'm pleased to say well controlled by the Chinese authorities. Petty crime unfortunately does exist (I had my bicycle stolen, from between 2 security guards where I lived, within days of buying it!) but I have to say I feel safer on the streets of China than I do in many other parts of the world that I have visited. Customer service is really a term that Chinese business in general hasn't gotten a grasp of yet. Whilst some of the major chain stores are superb, SOME of the small and private businesses leave a LOT to be desired. A pay desk will happily serve somebody ahead of you purely because that person didn't wait and pushed in. The Chinese have no concept of queuing so don't get angry when they push infront of you, just do the same or wait (although you could wait a LONG time)! If you are shopping, be aware that many "independant" stores will sell copy goods, so if a price looks too good to be true then it usually is. Care should be taken when shopping. Even if an item is marked with a price, unless it is a major chain store then this should be totally ignored. Just because it is marked as being expensive it doesn't mean that it is!! In reality, outside of the chain stores, it is unusual to find a price marked on an item. The shop will price any item at what they feel they can charge you. A price quoted to a westerner is always far higher than that given to a local so be prepared to bargin hard and ALWAYS be prepared to walk away! TIP: If you have been engaged in haggling with a seller, they HATE to see you walk away so drive a hard bargin! However, if you can't get the price you are willing to pay, there is ALWAYS another shop nearby selling the same thing, so try there! DO NOT BUY at the first stall in a market etc, look around first or you will end up kicking yourself!! Do not be fooled by "closing down" sales! These places tell you that something is drastically reduced as they are closing down and so they cannot discount! Rubbish! Walk away and then see if they can't discount! If you are not sure on prices, watch what locals are paying for things (as well as where they are buying them!)! Being a relatively well-to-do area, beggars are increasing in numbers in the Shekou area unchecked and are reaching plague stature, especially as it is warmer in the winter months! They gather outside popular restaurants, ply bus queues and outside supermarkets, anywhere there is a large foot-fall of people you will find them in ever-growing numbers. The best advice that local authorities give with regards to beggars is to NOT give to them. Some beggars (particularly the middle age women) can become quite insistant when trying to deprive you of your change - from poking you in the ribs with their begging bowl, indicating that they want the money to buy food as they're starving, having their young children approach you for money whilst they remain hidden from view, to making varying annoying noises until you pay for them to go away. Begging is a whole family business! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE, no matter how insistant they become. Take my word, give to one and you will be be a marked man, word gets around quickly between them on who will give, especially those who give generously! It can seriously ruin a holiday! Be polite, but don't give! There are many "unauthorised taxis" that will approach you during your time in China (especially when you arrive in China) - my advice is not to use them! They will cost more and you have no insurance cover in them (as well as they're being illegal). A WORD OF WARNING! I witnessed and gave chase to a pick-pocket near Wal-Mart. A young lad around 14-16, who I managed to catch. THEY DO NOT WORK ALONE! This one was protected by at least 5-6 male adults who quickly moved in. I got away lightly in that I was unharmed and I got the wallet back, but I am informed that if I was Chinese that there was a good chance I would have been stabbed! I was I guess lucky in that they were unsure as to how to deal with me as I was a westerner. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! In hind sight, although it maybe was the right thing to do, it was stupid! No Chinese person got involved as they are aware of the possible consequences. |
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