Shenzhen lies just across the border from Hong Kong on the Southern Coast of Guangdong Province. A city of some 4 million, it is a Special Economic Zone (tax rate of 15% against national 30%) with. a border of its own, requiring you to show a passport to enter. The first city to benefit from Deng Xiao Ping's economic reforms it has subsequently developed into a economic powerhouse of its own and is generally regarded as a "Southern Shanghai" - China's second stock exchange is here and it boasts a wealth of business and tourist facilities.

With many border crossings to Hong Kong and connections via sea and air to most international destinations, Shenzhen is fast becoming the Port of choice for those involved in international trading. Shenzhen is loosely divided into two areas, downtown Shenzhen just over the border from Hong Kong, with Five Star Hotels such as the Shangri-La (755 233 0888), Landmark (4755 217 2288) and Forum (0755 558 6333) all catering for business men, while Shekou, further West and also a major Port area in its own right has the Holiday Inn (0755 641 6688) and the seafront NanHai Hotel (0755 669 2888). Conveniently located near to Guangzhou (two hours by car, one by train), the factory base of Dongguan and Hong Kong, Shenzhen is home to many of China's young entrepreneurs. Fifteen years ago there was nothing here but paddy fields - now Shenzhen is an international city. Consequently, Mandarin -- and not the Provincial dialect of Cantonese - is spoken here and the city has probably the best variety of Chinese cuisine anywhere in the PRC - from Dongbei to Sichuan to great seafood, Shenzhen is a Chinese gourmet's paradise. However, there is more to Shenzhen than being just a base for business with good restaurants. The City possesses two major theme parks - the kitsch but fun "Windows of the World" with full and third size replicas of famous international sites (a huge Eiffel Tower can be seen for miles) and the interesting "Cultural Village" just next door showcasing many of China's minority tribes, houses, food and arts and crafts. Additionally, towards the east is moored the huge Russian Aircraft Carrier "Minsk" which can be toured, sizable botanical gardens complete with cable car ride, and two large, clean beaches at Xiaomeisha and Dameisha - great for a weekends swimming and fitted out with shark nets and lifeguards.

Shenzhen nightlife is wild in Shekou, with. many bars and clubs, including the "Snake Pit" on Tai Zi Lu - a legendary expat dive now into its 16 year - a disgusting drinking ritual and small fee to join but very cheap beer as a reward. Downtown Shenzhen meanwhile has a host of nightclubs popular with Hong Kong clubbers coming across for a weekend's parrying, China's first ever rave was held in "New York New York" and the city is regularly partying hard until 6am. Our fave nightspot? Goodfellas at 98 Zhen Hua Lu. No-one in Shenzhen comes from Shenzhen - everyone you meet is a migrant of some sort and this gives the city its unique flavour and ambience.

Getting there and away is easy - Shenzhen has a sizable international airport with regular connections to most China destinations, a good rail system linking Hong Kong and Guangzhou (and from there into China's main rail network), with hi-speed ferries also to Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Macao and Guangzhou. also operating on a daily basis. Hong Kong is also accessible via a simple foot crossing over the border at LoWa in downtown Shenzhen and instant access to Hong Kong's KCR rail network - one hour to Central.