Day 1: Gankeng Hakka Town — A Taste of Heritage

Morning: Stroll through Gankeng Hakka Town

Lunch: Authentic Hakka Cuisine

• Recommended Restaurants: Hakka Restaurant or Wéi Wū Dining Hall
• Must-Try Dishes & Ingredients:
  • Mei Cai Kou Rou (Steamed Pork with Preserved Vegetables): Tender pork belly paired with flavorful sun-dried preserved mustard greens, steamed slowly to a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
  • Hakka Stuffed Tofu: Fresh tofu stuffed with minced pork, scallions, and carrots — soft outside, flavorful inside.
  • Salt-Baked Chicken: Whole chicken wrapped in coarse salt and herbs, retaining juicy, aromatic meat.

Afternoon: Bamboo Weaving Workshop

• Duration: 2 hours
• Cost: RMB 150 per person
• Booking: Reserve via Gankeng Official Website or WeChat “甘坑客家小镇” — book at least 7 days in advance.

Day 2: Shajing Ancient Street & Oyster Culture — Coastal Delights

Morning: Shajing Oyster Culture Museum & Old Street

Lunch: Shajing Oyster Feast

• Recommended Restaurants: Shajing Oyster Palace or Yuan Ji Oyster House
• Signature Dishes & Ingredients:
  • Boiled Fresh Oysters: Fresh oysters boiled briefly to keep their natural sweetness and silky texture, served with soy and scallion sauce.
  • Oyster Congee: Slow-cooked rice porridge with fresh oysters, ginger, and peanuts for a smooth, comforting bowl.
  • Steamed Oysters with Garlic & Vermicelli: Oysters on a bed of vermicelli steamed with aromatic garlic sauce — fragrant and rich.

Day 3: Luohu Dongmen Food Street & Wutong Mountain Cultural Walk

Morning: Dongmen Old Street Food Tour

• Pandora Rice Rolls: Thin red rice rolls filled with fresh shrimp and seasonal veggies, soft and slightly chewy.
• Classic Cantonese Desserts: Double-skin milk custard and black sesame soup — delicately sweet and silky smooth.
• Liwan-style Ting Zai Congee: A hearty congee with fish slices, shrimp, peanuts, and fried dough sticks.
• Golden Pillow Durian Pastry: Flaky pastry filled with rich durian paste, sweet but not overwhelming.
• XO Sauce & Pepper Steamed Chicken Feet: Tender chicken feet steamed with savory, mildly spicy XO sauce.
• Handmade Fried Dough Sticks: Crispy on the outside, soft inside — perfect with congee.

Dongmen Food Street, Shenzhen

Why Visit Dongmen Food Street?

• Grilled squid, beef skewers, and bubble tea
• Traditional dim sum, stinky tofu, and fried ice cream
• Budget clothing and souvenirs

Hidden Bookstore Oasis in Shenzhen: A Peaceful Urban Escape （BLLB Bookstore & Coffee Shenzhen）

Tucked away in Bao’an District, this lush bookstore café is a serene retreat covered in vibrant greenery, like a fairy-tale treehouse. It offers a calm escape from Shenzhen’s busy city life — perfect for reading, coffee, or relaxing by a nearby lake with ducks.

Located next to Yifang City Mall, it’s easy to combine culture with shopping and dining. Accessible via Metro Line 5 (Bao’an Central Station Exit A or Baohua Station Exit B2).

Details:

• Address: No. 5 Shengshang Road, Haixiang Community, Bao’an District

• Average spend: RMB 20–30

• Name: BLLB Bookstore & Coffee

Discover this hidden gem for a quiet moment amid Shenzhen’s hustle — ideal for travelers seeking nature, books, and peace.

Day 4: Shekou Sea World & Night Market Food Crawl

Morning: Sea World Plaza Dining

• San Sheng AFFINITÉ (French Restaurant)三生AFFINITÉ
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  • Elegant decor, perfect for birthdays or romantic dinners.
  • Window seats offer beautiful sea views enhancing the dining experience.
  • Recommended dishes include low-temp sea star eel, East China squid, and exquisite chocolate desserts.
  • Price range: RMB 300–500 per person
  • Booking: San Sheng AFFINITÉ Online Reservation or via Meituan/Dianping.
• Jin Daoyuan Claypot Congee (Sea World branch)
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  • Abalone & Shrimp Congee: Slow-cooked claypot congee with fresh abalone and live shrimp, thick and flavorful.
  • Three-Cup Pork Trotters: Tender pork trotters simmered with rich sauce, perfectly savory and slightly sweet.
  • Grilled Lamb Skewers: Fatty and lean lamb grilled to perfection with rich aroma.
  • Craft beers available — ideal for a summer evening with grilled snacks and sea views.
  • Price range: RMB 80–120 per person
  • Address: 101 Hou Plaza, Sea World, Shuiwan Community, Nanshan District
  • Booking: Reserve via Meituan/Dianping or phone.
• Blend Coffee Tribe (Modern Café)
  
  • Spring specialty: Slow-roasted caramel crispy toast pudding with fresh fruit — crispy crust meets silky caramel.
  • Signature dishes: Shrimp & avocado egg croissant waffle; “Little Monster” full breakfast platter.
  • Recommended drink: Orange oat milk Dirty latte with lingering citrus aroma.
  • Price range: RMB 80–130 per person
  • Booking: No reservation needed – walk-ins welcome.

Evening:  Nantou Ancient Town Night Market南山区南头街道美食街

• Nantou Food Street, Nanshan District
•  Transportation: Metro Line 12, Zhongshan Park Station.
• Highlights: A variety of cuisines gathered here, including street stalls and specialty restaurants.
•  Must-Try: Spicy Mala Hotpot, Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun).
• Note: Expect queues during peak dining hours; some restaurants do not provide receipts.
• Payment mainly cash; some vendors accept WeChat/Alipay; credit cards rarely used.
• Ordering is verbal; ask for recommended dishes.

• Charcoal-grilled Pigeon: Young pigeons (\~40 days old), marinated and grilled for crispy skin and tender meat.
• Soy Sauce Fried Noodles: Egg noodles stir-fried simply with soy sauce for a savory bite.
• Tofu Pudding: Silky tofu served sweet or savory, refreshing and light.
• Sugar-fried Rice Cake: Crispy outside, chewy inside — a local favorite.

• Haiyue Night Market: Metro Line 9, Haiyue Station, 5-minute walk.
• Nantou Ancient Town Night Market: Metro Line 1, Nantou Station, 10-minute walk.

Dining Tips in Guangdong

• Most tea houses charge a 5–15 RMB tea fee for tea and utensil cleaning.
• Pre-meal tea rinsing of dishes is traditional and hygienic.
• Peak times require reservations, especially on holidays.
• Sharing multiple small dishes is ideal to sample diverse flavors.

Transportation & Map Overview