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The travelers see an unusual side of Shenzhen during Chinese New Year, when many of the city’s 17 million residents return to their hometowns. They cycle through deserted roads, ride near-empty metro trains, and find shops closed, including McDonald’s. At the waterfront SeaWorld district, they discover restaurants, bars, shops, and a retired French cruise ship used as a dining venue. The quiet city also brings a surprise fan encounter in the central business district. Their visit shows a megacity at rest during the holiday.
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A megacity during the holiday
Shenzhen has around 17 million residents, but the travelers find its streets unusually quiet during Chinese New Year. Many residents are migrants who return to their hometowns to spend the Spring Festival with family. The travelers cycle through nearly empty roads and ride a metro that would normally be busy at rush hour. Shops are shuttered, and even McDonald’s is closed.
The quiet changes the feel of a very large city. The travelers pass through the central business district and later encounter a fan, an unexpected moment in the otherwise deserted streets. They also notice infrastructure built for everyday life, including electric-bike charging points along sidewalks. A power bank is useful because mobile payments depend on having a working phone, while charging pods at stations can be occupied.
SeaWorld and a different Shenzhen
At SeaWorld, the group finds more activity. The waterfront district has restaurants, bars, and shops, and a retired 10,000-ton French cruise ship has been turned into a dining venue. The stop offers a contrast with the empty central areas and quiet metro. The travelers also discuss shared bikes and payment apps, observing that Alipay is easier for bike rentals than WeChat.
Shenzhen’s quiet during the holiday is temporary. The city’s migrant history helps explain why so many residents travel home at once. The trip shows empty roads and metro cars, but also a city that retains activity in selected districts and continues to develop services such as bike charging and drone delivery. Some drone delivery stations may not operate during major holidays, so the travelers treat them as a feature to check rather than a guaranteed service.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: Why is Shenzhen so empty during Chinese New Year?
- A: Shenzhen is one of China’s biggest migrant cities, and many residents were born elsewhere. During Spring Festival, many return to their hometowns to visit family, leaving the city much quieter than usual.
- Q: Is SeaWorld a sea theme park?
- A: Not exactly. SeaWorld is a waterfront district with restaurants, bars, and shops. It also includes a retired 10,000-ton French cruise ship that has been turned into a dining venue.
- Q: What happens if your phone dies in a cashless city?
- A: It can be difficult because mobile payments rely on your phone. Charging pods are available at metro stations, but the travelers find that they can all be occupied. Carrying a portable power bank is a practical backup.