Shenzhen Mini Guide
A 102,000 square metre beach is said to be a key element of OCT Harbour, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in Shenzhen. So why are the sands devoid of swimmers and sunbathers on a sunny summer's day?
Click here for an interactive TripAdvisor guide to Shenzhen
Coco Beach forms an intergral part of OCT Harbour – at least that is what the website implies. So why are there no swimmers or sunbathers there on a warm summer's day?
Built around a man-made lake near the waterfront in Shenzhen's Nanshan District, OCT Harbour is a sophisticated shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreational complex, which have been opening in stages.
The first elements of the massive undertaking threw open their doors in August 2011. So far 2 hotels, numerous food + beverage outlets, an upscale shopping mall (still lots of empty store fronts), a multiplex cinema, an exhibition centre, and an outdoor theatre are already open.
But what about Coco Beach? The last time I visited OCT Harbour, the 102,000 metre stretch of sand was emtpy. But that was during winter, so I wasn't surprised.
Information Booth
Now that summer is here, I decided to check the place out, travelling to Shenzhen on a warm and sunny day. But I still found the beach entirely devoid of people.
Somewhat confused, I went to an information booth, but was told that the beach hadn't opened yet. When I asked when it would open, no information was forthcoming.
With all of those clusters of palm trees, it looked pretty impressive from across the lake. I decided to get up close and personal.
Armed with my camera, I made my way toward the beach, ignoring a security guard who started screaming at me. I pretended not to hear him. Fortunately, the guard lost interest and turned his attention to a car that had just driven into the parking lot.
The signage was all in place. There were turnstyles. But all of the entrances were blocked. I can only assume that the developers have not yet received authorization. Snooping around with my camera, this is what I found …
Across the Lake
Up Close and Personal
Coco Beach at OCT Harbour, Shenzhen, China. Photo Credit: Accidental Travel Writer.
Find Out More! For more information on OCT Harbour – as well as hotel recommendations – please click here: OCT Harbour
How to Get There
Entrance to the Qiao Cheng Dong Metro Station in Shenzhen, China. Photo Credit: Accidental Travel Writer.
The closest metro station is Qiao Cheng Dong (OCT East) on the No. 1 subway line.
If you don't mind walking, take exit C1 and walk south (toward Shenzhen Bay) along Qiao Cheng Dong Road for about 300 metres. Turn right on Bai Shi Xi Road and walk for another 300 metres. The walk should take about 30 minutes.
You can also take the No. 603 bus to the end of the line at OCT Harbour.
Otherwise, go by taxi (WARNING: many taxi drivers in Shenzhen do NOT speak Cantonese, let alone English). If you don't speak Mandarin, make sure to have the names of your destinations written in Chinese characters.
Make It Happen!
Shenzhen is a modern city with all manner of accommodation, from luxurious 5 star resorts to modest dormitories to a capsule hotel with capsules renting for just over US$10 a night.
As a city of migrants, Shenzhen has thousands of restaurants, cafes, and food stalls serving regional Chinese dishes from all over the country as well as the national cuisines of countries all over the world.
Talking Points
Have you ever been to OCT Harbour? Would you recommend it as a weekend getaway for people living in Hong Kong or travellers visiting Hong Kong?
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