🚆 Starting Point: Tai Wai to Futian – Let’s Gooo!
We kicked off our adventure at 1:30PM from Tai Wai, hopping on the East Rail Line straight to Lok Ma Chau. Just 35–40 minutes, and boom — we crossed the border into Futian.
🎉 It was PACKED (Easter holiday crowds)! Honestly, it felt like Mong Kok… but across the river. 🫨 Hong Kongese everywhere = extra comfy!
✨ Cantonese you’ll hear everywhere:
「好多人呀！」(hou2 do1 jan4 aa3) – “So many people!”
🏢 First Stop: Wongtee Plaza
🛤️ Two metro stops from Futian Port → Convention & Exhibition Center (Line 1)
💳 Ticket pay with: WeChat Pay / Alipay / ticket machines
💰 Fare: ¥2–3
🎯 Exit D drops you at Wongtee Plaza
This buzzing mall is full of food, snacks, small local brands, and HK-friendly vibes.
⚠️ Pro tip: With so many people and eateries inside, the AC wasn’t doing its best work – we got a little warm 🥵 but it’s still fun for snack-hunting & souvenir browsing.
🛒 Sam’s Club Shopping Spree (FuTian)
We called a taxi via Didi from Wongtee Plaza → 15–20 mins ride to Sam’s Club.
🛑 Heads up: You’ll need a membership (¥260/year) – can register online or on-site.
🧼 What we bought:
- Shampoo & facial wash
- Their famous beef rolls 🥩
- Snacks + household stuff
🍞 BIG trays of baked goods – perfect for sharing (not so much for solo snackers…)
💡 Tip: Share your haul with friends — those jumbo packs are serious!
📦 One person = probably not finishing before expiry 😅
✨ Cantonese phrase: 「好平呀！」(hou2 peng4 aa3) = “So cheap!”
🍲 Dinner Time – Haidilao at Intown Plaza
🕔 Around 5PM, we headed to Zhuoyue INTOWN Store near Futian Station (Didi ride ~15–20 mins).
✨ Bonus: We arrived before the dinner rush = instant table 🎉
🔥 Highlights:
- Tablet ordering = smooth
- Super helpful staff (can ask the staff cook and peeled our shrimp!) 🦐
- You can use Meituan to order drinks from outside and have them delivered (cannot happen in Hong Kong)
🧾 For 3 people: Only RMB 500 total – way cheaper than HK!
✨ Cantonese phrase: 「好好味呀！」(hou2 hou2 mei6 aa3) = “So tasty!”
📲 Must-Have Apps & Tips
- 🛺 Didi – Call a ride (like Uber)
- 🍜 Meituan – Order food/drinks, check restaurant reviews
- 💸 WeChat Pay / Alipay – Standard payment tools
- 🆕 PayMe – Yup, it works in Shenzhen now! Just scan merchants’ QR codes (WeChat or UnionPay)
- 🛒 Sam’s Club – Membership required (¥260/year)
🗣️ Language tip – Mandarin is dominant, but many shops in tourist zones understand Cantonese. Don’t be shy to speak up!
✨ Final Thoughts – Why You’ll Love This Trip
- ✅ Easy to plan
- ✅ No early wake-up needed
- ✅ Food and shoppingin just a few hours
- ✅ Great for first-timers heading north
- ✅ Big city energy with Hong Kong familiarity
🎒 Whether you're craving hotpot, bargain deals, or a quick change of pace — this trip gives you all that & more in under a day.