Shenzhen - Day 6 (Final day)

- May 29, 2024

It's time to return home after a 13-day trip. We checked out of the Shangri-La Hotel at 9.50am and took a Didi ride to Shenzhen Airport (Fare - ¥ 69.42). Upon getting inside the car, we said hello, but the driver never acknowledged us. The car was warm, and when we asked if he could boost the ventilation for the seat behind him, he refused. Basically, it's an unpleasant 45-minute journey to the airport.

Before we enter the airport, we must scan our luggage. We chose to eat brunch at the food court on the first level because our check-in counter hasn't opened yet. We had chicken rice in this Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice shop. The restaurant staff was unfriendly when she took our order. I had steamed chicken drumstick rice, while my partner had roasted chicken breast rice. I enjoyed my steamed chicken drumstick rice very much, except for the cold rice. The chicken is juicy and tasty. Chili sauce is good too.

(Total bill - ¥ 112)

Shenzhen Airport security check

Shenzhen Airport

Food court

Food list

Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice

Restaurant ambience

Drinking water

Roasted chicken breast rice

Hainanese chicken drumstick rice

Shenzhen Airport

The timing was perfect because the check-in counter opened after we finished our brunch. There's a long queue, and it took us over 45 minutes to complete the check-in procedure. Basically, luggage check-in closes 45 minutes before the flight's departure time. Passing through immigration was straightforward. However, they are very strict on body checks, and mobile phones must be separated from your bag at the scanning machine. It took us 25 minutes to complete the entire immigration process.

We arrived at the departure hall around 12.50pm, and boarding started at 1.05pm. I thought we had plenty of time by arriving early at the airport, but we don't even have time to shop in the departure hall. Our flight departs at 1.40pm and arrives at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) around 4.40pm. The flight from Shenzhen to Kota Kinabalu takes around 3 hours. My partner and I were placed separately on the aisle seat since we had not purchased the seats. He ordered a cold Yuzu Ceylon tea and a chicken Frankfurter bun. The tea was very refreshing, and the hotdog bun was nice.

Overall, my trip to Guangzhou and Shenzhen wasn't really enjoyable. First of all, on my first day in Guangzhou, I sprained my right foot due to the uneven walkways. Then I got squished like a sardine in the subway. Apart from that, walking on the street was so stressful, as we tried our very best to avoid the electric motors on the walkways and not step on any spittle that was on the floor. There was also a strong cigarette odor once we stepped out of the train station. Not to mention, throughout our time in Shenzhen, it rained nonstop. Food-wise, we don't think it's all that good. We also struggled to get around since none of us can read Chinese characters and Google Maps does not work in China. Anyway, the Canton Fair is the reason we are in Guangzhou. It was an eye-opening experience, with so much to see and learn.