Windows of the World
After passing through the HK Immigration, our guide waved at us and waited for us to get through the Shenzhen border. Our first stop: lunch at a restaurant. It's part of the tour so it's free.
While the tour to Shenzhen is free and comes with a group visa plus free lunch, you won't see much, just a photo ops outside the Windows of the World and the factories, e.g., jade factory, silk factory, etc. If you want to get inside the Windows of the World and the Splendid China, you have to pay extra. We paid RMB 300 each for Splendid China which includes tickets to 2 cultural shows and a ride around the park.
Windows of the World
Splendid China
Still shots from the first show.
Snapshots from my videos of the Dragon and Phoenix Dance Show
Having watched the Dragon and Phoenix Dance in 2010, I was slightly disappointed with the performance I watched this February. It was not as solid a performance as the first time I watched it. It was still a feast on the eyes, but not as spectacular as I remember it. I have videos of then and now to compare the performances.
By the way, it was freaking cold! Way colder due to the open spaces. Good thing we had some 30 minutes to spare before the Dragon and Phoenix Show to eat some hot meals, like noodles and hot milk tea with tapioca. Yum!
I highly recommend, too, those grilled mutton on sticks. For 3 sticks at RMB 10, you'll get your money's worth! It's so darn tasty, tender and goes well with a sort of hard naan-like bread sold separately. You may opt to have it without the spices, like I did if you're not into spicy foods.
