Visas, safety, seasons, costs and what kids actually enjoy — written by the guides who run these trips every weekend. No marketing language, just what we tell our own guests.
A family guide to China's departure tax refund in 2026: the 200 yuan threshold, the 90-day clock, instant refunds and what children can claim.
Entry & VisasChina's Order 841 took effect on 15 September 2026. What changed at the border, which papers families should carry, and the mistake that can trigger an entry ban.
When to GoShenzhen's best months for families run from October to early December. A month-by-month guide to heat, rain, typhoon signals and crowds.
HotelsEvery guest in a Chinese hotel is registered, children included. What foreign families need at check-in, and what to do if a hotel says no.
TrainsChina's child train tickets go by age, not height. How foreign families book, verify passports and board high-speed trains with kids, starting from Shenzhen.
ConnectivityHow families keep kids online in China in 2026: which travel eSIMs bypass the firewall, why hotel Wi-Fi fails, hotspot rules and what to set up before you fly.
PlanningHonest comparison of booking a China tour, hiring a private guide, or going DIY with kids - trade-offs, age ranges, costs, and when each option wins.
Family OutdoorsCan you camp with kids in China? Yes, but organized camps are the realistic route. We run 11 camps for ages 3-14 and explain packing, weather, and who it is not for.
Safety & ArrivalIs Shenzhen safe for kids? We answer the six worries Western parents really have — safety, food, language, internet, health and weather — with on-the-ground facts.
Payments & ArrivalForeign families can pay in China with Alipay or WeChat Pay—no local bank account. Kids don't need their own account; here's what works and what to carry.
Entry & VisasEvery child needs their own passport for China. Visa-free and 240-hour transit are judged per passport, so your child qualifies on their own nationality.
CostsHow much does a family trip to Shenzhen cost compared with Hong Kong? Real ticket prices, a five-day family-of-three budget, and the honest exceptions.
EducationCan a China trip count for Duke of Edinburgh or IB CAS? How our Shenzhen and Guizhou camps map to the award's four sections, plus age and licensing limits.
OutdoorAge-by-age hiking distances for kids, heat-adjusted for subtropical Shenzhen: base rules plus real numbers from Wutongshan, Qiniang and the Dongchong coast.
Entry & VisasHow China's 240-hour visa-free transit works for families: child tickets, the Hong Kong onward-ticket rule, the 10-day clock, and what to do with it in Shenzhen.
DestinationA straight answer on whether Shenzhen works for families: how many days you need, which months to avoid, and where to go with children of different ages.