Journey To ChinaLast updated
Seventeen lines across a long east–west city
Shenzhen has 17 operating metro lines and 432 stations. The city stretches along the Pearl River Estuary and South China Sea: the network reaches Bao'an, Guangming, and the airport in the west and north, then Longgang, Pingshan, and Yantian's coast in the east. Several parallel corridors cross Futian, Luohu, Nanshan, and Qianhai. Travellers rarely need to memorise every line; first identify whether a destination lies west, central, or east, then choose the trunk line entering that area.
Line colour and number identify transfers; the terminus on platform displays determines direction. Large interchanges such as Gangxia North, Futian, Chegongmiao, Houhai, Window of the World, Qianhaiwan, and Buji can involve long passages and level changes. At the destination, the exit number determines the correct side of the street.
The official map also shows intercity rail, trams, and the Pingshan SkyShuttle with different symbols. They may use separate concourses and ticketing. Check current last trains, extensions, and service changes through Shenzhen Metro or station displays.
Lines 1, 2/8, and 11 form the main travel corridors
Line 1 runs west from Luohu through Guomao, Laojie, Grand Theatre, Huaqiang Road, Convention and Exhibition Center, Shopping Park, Chegongmiao, OCT, Window of the World, Nanshan, and Qianhaiwan into central Bao'an. It joins Luohu's old city, Futian's commercial district, the OCT attraction cluster, and Nanshan on one east–west axis.
Lines 2/8 form a continuous service from Shekou Port and Sea World through Houhai, Window of the World, Futian, Civic Center, Gangxia North, Huaqiang North, and Grand Theatre, then beyond Liantang Port and Wutong Mountain South to Yantian, Dameisha, and Xiaomeisha. No transfer is required where the line number changes, but confirm the train terminus.
Line 11 is the fast airport-to-centre spine, running from Airport Station through Qianhaiwan, Nanshan, Houhai, Chegongmiao, and Futian to Gangxia North and Hongling South. It is especially useful for accommodation in Qianhai, the Nanshan technology area, Shenzhen Bay, or Futian, with transfers to many other lines.
Useful lines and stations for sights
Laojie Station on Lines 1 and 3 serves Dongmen; Line 3 continues through Cuizhu, Buji, and Dafen, the station for the Dafen Oil Painting Village area. Line 10 reaches Gankeng from Futian Port via Gangxia North and Bantian.
“Shenzhen Bay” can mean widely separated places. Line 9's Shenzhen Bay Park Station is beside the waterfront park; Line 13's Talent Park and Houhai stations serve Shenzhen Talent Park and the Shenzhen Bay Culture Plaza area, with Houhai also connecting Lines 2, 11, and 13. Confirm whether the destination is the park, Talent Park, Houhai, or Shenzhen Bay Port.
Line 12 links western Nanshan and Bao'an, including Sea World, Nanyou, Nanshan, Taoyuan, Nantou Ancient Town, Lingzhi, Airport East, and the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center area. It is a useful way to understand Shekou, historic Nantou, and western Bao'an as one corridor.
Airport and railway hubs
For Shenzhen Airport T3, use Airport Station (机场站) on Line 11. Airport North (机场北站) and Airport East (机场东站) serve different airport districts and are not the standard T3 stop. Line 11 then runs directly through Qianhai, Nanshan, Houhai, Chegongmiao, Futian, and Gangxia North.
Shenzhen North Railway Station connects Lines 4, 5, and 6; Futian Railway Station connects Lines 2, 3, and 11. Shenzhen Railway Station uses Luohu (罗湖) on Line 1, Shenzhen East uses Buji (布吉) on Lines 3, 5, and 14, Shenzhen Pingshan connects Line 16, and Guangmingcheng connects the Line 6 Branch. The national-rail and metro names are not always identical.
Line 14 runs rapidly from Gangxia North through Huangmugang, Buji, and Universiade toward Pingshan; Line 16 distributes passengers within Pingshan and Longgang. Line 13 runs from Shenzhen Bay Port through Talent Park, Houhai, and the Nanshan technology district toward Guangmingcheng, offering alternatives that do not always require a central-city detour.
Three major land ports
Luohu Port connects with Luohu Station on Line 1, Futian Port with Lines 4 and 10, and Shenzhen Bay Port with Line 13. The metro delivers passengers to the port transport area; border crossing still requires the appropriate documents and completion of immigration and customs procedures. Check current opening arrangements before a cross-boundary trip.
Luohu also adjoins Shenzhen Railway Station and suits Luohu or the old city. Futian Port lies south of the centre, with Line 4 reaching Convention and Exhibition Center, Children's Palace, and Shenzhen North. Shenzhen Bay Port serves western Nanshan, with Line 13 access from Houhai, Talent Park, and the technology district. Match the port with Hong Kong-side transport as well as Shenzhen-side access.
International bank cards and Line 11 business class
From 30 June 2026, Shenzhen Metro began a trial accepting tap-to-pay international bank cards across its 17 lines and 432 stations, including foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB cards. Look for gates carrying the relevant card logos and use the same physical card or device to enter and exit. As this remains a trial, follow current gate labels and official updates.
Line 11 includes standard and business-class cars. Business class requires an additional charge, and passengers using a single-journey ticket, transit QR code, or bank card must complete the prescribed second validation in the business-class waiting area. Use the same payment medium for entry, business-class validation, and exit so the full trip can be settled correctly.
