Hong Kong Trip: Shenzhen Day 3 (Part 1)

Day 3: Hong Kong to Shenzhen to Hong Kong (22/12/06)

We woke up at around 8 am and headed out to a nearby 'cha2 chan1 ting1' for breakfast before setting off for Shenzhen. We decided to go on a weekday (friday) as it would be more crowded during the weekends.

Having our breakfast set meals

We headed to KCR East Rail Mongkok station next. We were going to Lo Wu Station which is at the border between China and Hong Kong.

KCR East Rail Mongkok Station

After about 40 minutes, we reached the station and proceeded to the customs to cross over to Shenzhen. Next, we got out from the customs building and looked for the subway to go to the tourist attractions there.

The view of Shenzhen from Lo Wu


Lo Wu Customs Building

We proceeded to take the Shenzhen Metro (MRT) to Hua Qiao Cheng which is 13 stations away. We sat on the train for another 40 minutes and finally reached Hua Qiao Cheng Station slightly before noon. The entrance fee for Splendid China and Chinese Folk Culture Village costs 120 yuan ($24) and we headed into the tourist attraction after paying for the tickets.

Near the entrance of Chinese Folk Culture Village


Peacocks in close range


The river, the pagoda and us


Fake Chinese wine container


Another pagoda


At the bottom of the steps of a chinese 'culturally looking' building

There were not a lot of people at Chinese Folk Culture Village and we were busy taking photos with any scenic or interesting background. The village reminded me a little of Cambodian Cultural Village but it's bigger, contains more man-made structures and fewer people. In my own personal opinion, i feel indifferent to going these "cultural villages" as they are just an artificial representation of some culture which may be altered, exaggerated or diminished. Any country can build these "cultural villages" but they can never be compared to viewing and experiencing the REAL culture which only some countries manage to preserve.

We proceeded to Splendid China which is just beside Chinese Folk Culture Village. Splendid China contains sculptures and many miniaturized buildings.

The nice garden and the cute small buildings


Are we giants?


Religious sculptures and us


We love taking photos! (notice the jarring contrast of buildings in the background)


Mini Great Wall of China (with nice garden and buildings)

To be continued.....

End of Part 1 (8 am to 2 pm)