Unlike other major urban destinations in China, Shenzhen has shot up as a prime business hub in less than three decades. Established for its proximity to thriving Hong Kong, Shenzhen, a small fishing village at the time, was named a Special Economic Zone in 1980. With the designation, the small city was granted more flexible financial policies than the rest of China, including tax privileges and province-level economic authority.

With a focus on foreign investments and modernization, this one-time sleepy village in the Guangdong province has become a thriving business center. According to representatives at the China International Travel Service, "Shenzhen is cheaper than Hong Kong and attracts a lot of people from around the area for shopping."

Like Kuala Lumpur, this metropolis features gleaming skyscrapers and manicured parks. It has enough international cuisines to suit the array of visiting palates along with a vibrant commercial spirit. The city is widely credited for China's economic revitalization and it has the commercial focus to support those beliefs. There are several large shopping malls in commercial districts throughout the city and eight Wal-Mart stores.

As with most business destinations, there are many luxury hotels with state of the art amenities. According to representatives at the China International Travel Service, the city "has plenty of top five-star hotels that are cheaper than across the border in Hong Kong." Top hotels include the Shangri-la Hotel and the Sunshine Hotel.

Though the city lacks natural culture, there are several commemorative parks. Splendid China offers scaled replicas of China's most famous sites as well as demonstrations of traditional customs. Few other places in China can offer the Terra Cotta Soldiers, Forbidden City and Great Wall in one short trip. The city also features several theme parks, including Sea World and a botanical garden.

The island of Hainan, a short flight away, is a popular beach getaway and since Shenzhen offers little natural beauty, flights to Hainan offer relaxation.

Shenzhen

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