Southern Charm Shenzhen is much more than what it is usually touted as--the epitome of China’s economic miracle. This dynamic city comes close to being all things to all travellers, offering everything from golf and hiking to sophisticated spas, luxurious accommodation and theme parks of all kinds. For a family holiday, Shenzhen has plenty of child-friendly activities: Think Hong Kong at considerably lower cost. Looking at the fast-paced traffic and sparkling stainless steel and glass high-rises, it’s hard to imagine this as the sleepy fishing village of 30 years ago. But despite the development, Shenzhen has been well planned with numerous parks and colorful landscaping. Thanks to its coastal location Shenzhen stays green throughout the year, making it a delightful destination for a May Day getaway. Shenzhen is a major transport hub, accessible by air, train or road from every major city in China. Plan your time to make the best of all possible worlds in this exciting, one-stop destination, but keep things flexible enough to adjust to the prevailing weather. Here’s a breakdown of the best of this pearl of the Pearl River Delta.

Downtown Shop, Don’t Drop Shopping and dining are major preoccupations in Shenzhen and Huaqiang Bei Lu will answer most needs. It’s easy to reach by metro, (Huaqiang Lu is the sixth stop from Luo Hu, take exit A) and locals call this broad street the road to riches. It runs for the best part of a kilometer, its wide pavements enticing window shoppers and strollers. On weekends and in the evenings, it seems that most of Shenzhen’s 10 million or so inhabitants compete for space here. Electronics, digitalia and computer items are the specialities in the shops and malls in Huaqiang Bei itself and some of the cross streets that bisect it. You’ll also find trendy clothing and accessory boutiques selling all kinds of items manufactured locally for export. Stay: Appropriate for such a modern and glamorous part of town, five-star The Pavilion and its four-star counterpart, Pavilion Century Tower, provide the perfect base for exploration. The hotel’s location makes it a natural choice for business travellers, but it also caters to families with a well-equipped children’s playground and other child-friendly features.

Dameisha Best-Kept Secret Dameisha and neighboring Xiaomeisha form one of Shenzhen’s best-kept secrets. This delightful beach area has a dramatic woodland backdrop provided by the Shenzhen hills. The golden sand, soft as silk, provides the perfect setting for a number of annual festivals, most notably the sand-castle building contest and a kite-flying celebration that draws amateurs and professionals from all over China. Minsk World is next to the beach. The centerpiece of this theme park is the second-generation Soviet aircraft carrier, built in 1972. The Minsk covers 7.4 acres and is linked by a bridge to Minsk Square which offers a variety of experiences from historical re-enactments of by-gone parades and battles to twenty-first century dining and shopping. Stay: The recently opened Sheraton Dameisha Resort uses the seafront setting to good advantage. Lush landscaping complements the unique dragon-shaped hotel building and its elegantly winding outdoor swimming pool. The guest rooms all have balconies overlooking Dapeng Bay, providing magical sunsets. The hotel offers everything for relaxation including a wide range of water sports, a health club, indoor pool and fully-equipped spa. Its versatile facilities make this hotel a popular choice for meetings of all sizes.

Overseas Chinese Town Kid Paradise Shenzhen blazed the trail for Chinese theme parks and the almost endless attractions around the Overseas Chinese Town, Hua Qiao Cheng, make this one of the best places for a family holiday. Visit China’s many minorities at the China Folk Culture Village where you’ll experience Dragon Boat races, torch-lit parades and water-splashing festivals. No time to go sightseeing in China? Do it the easy way at Splendid China, which has everything from replicas of the Terracotta Warriors to the Great Wall in miniature. If you’re planning an international holiday, take your kids to spend an afternoon visiting the world’s best known landmarks from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Eiffel Tower and more. A three-in-one ticket covers all three parks. Other child-friendly destinations nearby include Happy Valley complete with jaw-dropping roller coasters. Stay: The Spanish-inspired InterContinental Shenzhen is ideally located within easy walking distance from Shenzhen’s major theme parks and it has a metro stop right outside. Dine al fresco at the open-air grill, opting for Thai and Vietnamese specialities, Brazilian barbecue or modern French cuisine in funky art deco surroundings.

Futian Meeting Central Futian is Shenzhen’s new centrer of commerce, finance and government. The purpose-built exhibition centre is the main focus of attention, but this is also the location of Shenzhen’s museum and city hall. As a newly developed area, Futian has the leg room for mega stores including Wal-Mart and B&Q. Several new malls offer a range of entertainment options--multiplex cinemas, ice skating rink, restaurants and coffee shops plus clothing boutiques. Check out Dong Hai Pacific Mall and the Sam’s Club/Cinema Complex. Stay: Though a number of new international hotels have opened in this area, including the Sheraton, Fraser Residences, Landmark and a new Shangri-La that is almost complete, The Marco Polo is a long-established favourite. This five-star international hotel is ideally located. Marco Polo’s dining options are legendary ranging from gourmet Japanese and Chiu Chow cuisine to all-day Asian and international dishes. The hotel's "lifestyle floor" includes the city’s best-equipped gym, an outdoor swimming pool and the internationally-renowned Mandara Spa.