Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tour to Shenzhen Electronic Markets

For me personally, this is the most exciting part of this trip!!. I spent a good amount of time in visiting and learning about the huge electronic ecosystem of Shenzhen. 
Shenzen is the base of thousands of electronics manufacturers and traders. The shops are ranging from small petty ones to big OEM partners, trading in every malls to streets.

I heard that the #Futian commercial complex is the biggest of the Shenzhen city. And I guess the #SEG market is another very big area. I took a chance to visit both of them; they are so huge than that I ever imagined earlier. Most of them are multi-story buildings – each floor is specialized for each part/component.

SEG Plaza’s first 2 floors were mostly discrete electronic components (SMD and leaded resistors, capacitors, Coils,…) and mechanical items (connectors, switches, screws, nuts, bolts..etc). Next two floors were full of transistors/FETs, a lot of circuit boards and semiconductors. 

Above that are all mostly of finished electronics, start from Desktop/laptop/mobile phones/ tablets…etc.  There were many small repair and rework shops in between them scattered everywhere!!
I was totally stunned!!!. As an electronic engineer, this is one of the most interesting things I’ve seen in a long time. No wonder why Shenzhen is the leader of the world’s electronics manufacturing Industry!!.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sea World, Shenzhen

On a Friday evening, my Chinese friends took me out for a dinner to the place called “Sea World”, which is located at Shekou near the coast border of the city.

When he mentioned the word “Sea World”, I thought it’s sort of a Water park or some underwater attraction. But later I discovered an entirely different thing. There was a huge old iconic ship (but not floating; it’s on land), turned into restaurant cum hotel? Heard that it’s is the ship of Republic’s President - Charles De Gaulle (not sure, how true it is!). What boggles my mind was not the origin of the ship but rather that someone hauled it inland and has docked it in a man-made lake at a shopping center.

It’s a very modern, safe and clean park with many bars, coffee outlets, and restaurants located at the seafront in Shekou, Shenzhen. Foods from all over the world are available, ranging Chinese, Italian, American, Mexican, Brazilian, Indian… etc. The prices here are very cheap by Chinese standard. There was also a beautiful show at the pool of water with fire, smoke and lasers.

But somehow, I personally did not find this place quite exciting as my idea of China is that “it must be and look like China :) “. This place is no way look like China.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Shenzhen Window of the World

Shenzhen Window of the World is something that you will not miss when you come to Shenzhen. It’s a very large park. I don’t know the area exactly; but it’s very well within the city.

The Window of the World contains about 130 replicas of globally renowned tourist spots and global wonders; to name a few...the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids of Egypt, Niagara Falls and the Taj Mahal of India., all with in a same park !

The whole park itself is divided into the World Square, Asia Area, Oceania Area, Europe Area, North America Area, World Sculpture Park and International Street, each with it’s popular spots/wonders.

The sizes of the replicas are created with exact proportion to their real ones. (usually they are 1:1, 1:5 and 1:15 of the actual structure) and placed in respective squares - geographically.

It is a kind of cultural exhibition, including historic relics, key points of interests, natural sceneries, world wonders and art, ..etc.
Originally, it was created as an introduction to international cultures for the local tourists. Even though it may not serve the same purpose for overseas travelers, it is still a fun and interesting day out.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Luohu Commercial City - "Temple of Fakes" :)


I visited the Luohu commercial city  (also called as Lo Wu Shopping Plaza) on a weekend. It is a shopping mall located on the banks of the Shenzhen River, right outside the entrance/exit to Luohu Immigration Control Point.

The mall is about five stories tall;  has heaps of shops although most of them sell similar stuff. I think two or three hours is plenty of time at this place.
You can find and buy almost everything… like shoes, watch, belt, wallet, bags, toys, clothes, jewellery, Phones, Tablet PCs ...of all leading brands, at their half price. The reason is most of them are fake !!

If you really want buy something start negotiate by dividing given price by 10!.; they will accept for at least 5 or 7 times lower the price initially said. As I already said, most of them are fake, but still some are worth to buy for the price we pay.

Just by looking at you they know exactly what you need... some people speak enough English. Another thing to be careful is the “pick pocketing”. Friends warned me about bag snatchers and pick pockets. So, I was on my toes the whole time when I was there.

This place was fun but after two hours I was exhausted. I only wish they displayed prices, bargaining to avoid being ripped off; it is tiring, man!