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Reanne and Ben visit Shenzhen during China’s Labour Day holiday. The central business district is quiet at first, but Upper Hills Mall and Bijiashan Sports Park are crowded. They buy a portable charger, browse the rooftop and visit a burger festival with vendors from across China. A Black Angus burger is their favorite. They later explore luxury thrift store ZR, where shoppers wear gloves and scan QR codes, and see a McDonald’s and KFC drone-delivery station. They finish at Talent Park for a Labour Day light show and ride home by bike.
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From quiet CBD to crowded festival
Reanne and Ben spend Labour Day in Shenzhen. The central business district is unusually quiet because many migrant workers have returned to their hometowns, but the calm does not last. They travel to Futian and Upper Hills Mall, where crowds fill shops and cafes. Ben’s phone battery is running low, so the first task is finding a portable charger. Reanne gets one and explores the rooftop area, which is busy despite the open, park-like layout.
The pair then go to Bijiashan Sports Park for a burger festival with independent vendors from across China and international food stalls. Reanne buys Tsingdao craft beer with a jasmine aroma while Ben looks over the food. They talk with vendors and are recognized by fans. A local vendor recommends a Black Angus burger, which they find both the best and least expensive option. They watch chefs cooking calmly and precisely despite the crowds.
Thrift shopping, drones and a light show
After eating, they visit secondhand luxury store ZR. Shoppers wear gloves and use the store’s app to scan QR codes for prices and authenticity. Reanne looks for a vintage Chanel bag, while Ben loses patience with the process. Outside, a drone delivery station for McDonald’s and KFC attracts a crowd.
As night approaches, they head toward Talent Park expecting a drone show. The streets are gridlocked, and police manage the traffic. After rushing through the crowd, they discover the event is a light show, with nearby buildings displaying images of workers for Labour Day. The busy holiday, the tech demonstrations and the city skyline make the final stop memorable. Tired but happy, Reanne and Ben walk for about 30 minutes and then take a cheap bike ride home, reflecting on how Shenzhen combines skyscrapers with green parks.
The couple’s plans change as they move between neighborhoods and the holiday crowds. Upper Hills Mall’s rooftop gives them another place to walk, while the burger festival at Bijiashan Sports Park brings together independent vendors from across China and international food stalls. They talk with vendors, meet fans and choose a Black Angus burger recommended by a local seller. At ZR, the gloves and QR-code checks shape the secondhand shopping experience, and Reanne looks for a vintage Chanel bag while Ben grows impatient. Outside, the McDonald’s and KFC drone-delivery station draws attention. They then find that the anticipated drone show is instead a Labour Day light show on nearby buildings, with images of workers. After the crowded trip to Talent Park, they walk for about half an hour and take a bike ride home.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the best burger at the festival?
- A: They choose a Black Angus beef burger from the least expensive vendor. Reanne describes it as juicy, with a brioche bun and egg, and calls it her favorite.
- Q: Was Shenzhen quiet or crowded on Labour Day?
- A: It depended on the area. The CBD was quiet because many workers had gone home, while Upper Hills Mall, Futian and the burger festival were packed with visitors.
- Q: How do shoppers check prices and authenticity at ZR?
- A: Visitors wear gloves and use the store’s app to scan QR codes on items. The scans show prices and authentication details for the secondhand luxury goods.
- Q: What does a green hat mean in China?
- A: A German YouTuber tells Reanne and Ben that a green hat is associated with a wife cheating on her husband. He wears one to see how people react.
