According to the 2010 census of Shenzhen, there are 10,357,938 ordinary residents living in Shenzhen. Together with the mobile resident (including foreigner and temporary resident), it s estimated a 14 millions people living here. It is also constituted to 10% of total residents among Guangdong province. The majority of people of Guangdong Province are Han Chinese, with a sprinkling of minority groups. The local language is Cantonese while the official language of the People’s Republic of China is Mandarin or Putonghua (language of Beijing). Notwithstanding we are in Guangdong area, the official dialect is still Mandarin.
Climate
The southern part of China is sub-tropical and has three seasons. The summer season, May through August, is hot, humid, and subject to monsoons and typhoons. This can mean overcast skies, rain, and after spectacular thunderstorms or fierce typhoons with high velocity wind and copious rainstorms, September through December, the tourist season, is less humid with mild temperatures. January and February is dry and chilly, sometimes surprisingly so,with many people longing for March and April, with higher humidity signals that summer is imminent. The temperatures generally range from 55F (13C) in winter to 92F (31C) in summer although there are exceptions.
Security
The police station is at HuaGuoShan which is at the center of Shekou. Besides, there arevarious small police offices in different district dealing with different residence matters. Mostof the police are helpful and quite respectful to foreigners. However, whenever you have any problem and police assistance is sought, you may need to find a Chinese interpreter to help you.
You have to keep an eye on your own properties, like handbags, purses and mobile phones, all the time. Pick-pocketing can happen at tourist spots or even the public transportation. Please do report to police if you lose something as this will be necessary for insurance claim purposes. Most of the popular housing complexes have their own security guards and generally you have to use a door access card to get in. There are not that much personal security issues in Shekou.
Pets
You have to ensure your pet gets immunized and bring all the immunization certificates with you upon entry to China. It is advised that the immunization is done between one and six months prior to arrival. Most of time, a pet courier could help from your country. Once your pet is imported to China, you have to apply for a “Pet Licence” at the local police station near your residence. You can enquire with the local pet shop or pet hospital for the arrangement. They can provide an agency service. Most of them offer a package of application around RMB400 to RMB1000 including government charges.
Shenzhen/Hong Kong Border crossings:
Luohu: opens from 06:30 am to 1200 midnight, 7 days a week. When you arrive the China border point, you need to walk through the Immigration and Customs and you will arriveat the Hong Kong side. After passing HK immigration and custom, you can only take railway to the HK area.
Huanggang: opens 24 hours, 7 days week. When you arrive at the China border point, you need to walk through the Immigration and Customs. Then you have to buy a coach ticket depending to which parts of HK you are going. Then get on the coach and it will drive you to the HK side.You need to get off the coach and pass through HK Immigration and Customs. Then get on the coach again and proceed to your destination. Alternatively, you can hire a special private car, you can get through the customs area without having to get out of the vehicle.
Shenzhen Bay: opens from 06:30 am to 1200 midnight, 7 days a week. When you arrive the China border point, you have to buy the coach ticket at the China side. (if not, you can only chose to take limited public transportation at the HK side). Then you need to walk through the Immigration and Customs and arrive at the Hong Kong side. After passing HK Immigration and Customs, you can proceed to your coach or public transportation. Alternatively, you can hire a special private car, you can get through the Customs area without having to get out of the vehicle.
Futian: opens from 06:30 am to 10.30 pm, 7 days a week. You can take the Metro to arrive Futian border point, you need to walk through the Immigration and Customs and arrive Hong Kong side. After passing HK Immigration and Customs, you can take railway or limited public transport to HK area.
