Shenzhen Bay Boarder - Shenzhen Wan KouAn

One of my very first posts was about the different boarders between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. That information is still accurate and you can view that original post here, but I want to update a little more about the Shenzhen Bay or Shenzhen Wan. Since that original post I spent a lot of time going between Shenzhen and Hong Kong before moving across the boarder and then moving back and now its usually the boarder I take when going back to visit/work in Hong Kong.

The time you go makes a big difference

In my original post I mentioned that this boarder was fairly new and quick. It’s still the fastest way to get across if you go at the right time. The longest its taken me was about an hour on a Saturday about 1 PM going to Hong Kong from Shenzhen. Since then I have tried to learn when to go and when not to go. Here is what I’ve found about the time to go:

Lines should be short:

The best time to go from is early in the morning, around 8 AM or early. On the weekdays you maybe OK till 8:45 AM but then it start to get busy, on the weekends better be there at or before 8. Then the best time to go is in the evening after 9 PM, though on Sunday it may still be busy, and the later you get there the better. Note on the Shenzhen side though that if you come back late you may have problems getting a taxi.

Other then that on the weekdays in the afternoon is can sometimes be OK and even Saturday afternoon has been OK, but there is no telling and sometimes it can be really busy.

Lines will probably be long:

It can actually happen anytime during the day if you’re not there early or late as above. However, it defiantly will be busy Saturday after 9 AM and then Sunday evening. The reason is most of the people are taking a tour bus to Hong Kong and all the tour buses go through this border now so it can get full when all the buses arrive.

Also a special note that with the 2011 Universidad in August it will take a long time.

Closing comments and notes

The times above are mostly related to the China side as I have been going through the e-channel on the Hong Kong side, but from what I see it is almost the same since if you get stuck on one side you will get stuck on the other.

Have you had a different experience? Did you get stuck at some of the times I have? Leave a comments and let me know.

Dannis

I got visa on arrival at lo wu… is it true that I must depart from lo wu? Cannot depart from shenzhen wan or other?
- Andy
  
  Sorry I have never gotten a visa at the border so not sure if you must go to the same border. If you try the other border and it works please let me know.
Chris

Hi, today Sunday morning I planed to go to the Asia Expo at Hong Kong airport, so I arrived at 8.50 am. at Wan Kouan, it was so crowded and many people told me is normal on weekends, finally I was in the other side of the border at 11:15 am, then I asked for the bus that goes to the airport, and the police told me there is not bus to the airport, I had to take 2 buses, or one bus and the train or a taxi.

I decided to take 2 buses. So I needed to exchange some RMB to HK$ (I use to do that in Luohu) but the police told me there was not place to exchange money there. I ask one driver if I could pay the bus with RMB and he told me I needed a card or HK$. Anyway after a while some nice people helped me to get some HK$ and I took the bus to TinShuiWai, then waited about 10 minutes and take the next bus, long trip to the airport, and from the airport I had to wait and take a train about 5 minutes to the Asia expo. I arrived at the expo at 1:30pm. I was told the ferry is the best option to go the airport, what do you think?
- Andy
  
  Sorry to hear your trouble, and unfortunately at Shenzhen bay all the busses with tourist go there so it tends to be crowded on the weekend. It also has almost no services once you cross, so the exchange of money must be done before you cross. There are private coaches you can take, but again need to get the ticket before you cross and I am not sure if one actually goes to the airport.
  
  If you head to the airport the best way is either what you did, or take a taxi or take a van. The van, however, also starts before you cross so you need to find where they sell bus tickets and buy one for the van (150 rmb I think). Then they will get you in the van and you will cross the border in the van.
  
  The ferry is also good if you are near it, however, it only works if you are flying. So going to the Asia wold expo does not work and they will not let you take it.
  
  Hope that helps and hope the trip back was a little better!
Michael McGaughy

Nice site. What is the wait like going from HK to Shenzhen on the weekend? Is their a good reverse communte? Thanks!
- Andy
  
  It varies quite a lot, but usually the weekend is quite full and can spend up to two hours or more waiting. However if you’re going from Hong Kong to Shenzhen in the morning of the weekend I believe it will be too bad. Most of the traffic will be going the other way, as all the tourists are coming to Hong Kong for the weekend. Rather than Shenzhen bay maybe good idea to go to futian or take the ferry into shekou.