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Shen Zhen
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Shenzhen, also known as Pengcheng (Roc City), is located in southern Guangdong Province on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary, directly across from Hong Kong. As China’s first Special Economic Zone, a national economic center, and a core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Shenzhen plays a vital role in connecting mainland China with international markets.
Since the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in 1980, the city has transformed from a small border town into an international innovation metropolis with nearly 18 million permanent residents and a GDP exceeding RMB 3.68 trillion.
Home to globally recognized technology companies such as Huawei, Tencent, BYD, DJI, and Mindray, Shenzhen has earned its reputation as China’s Silicon Valley and the Capital of Innovation.
Today, Shenzhen combines its entrepreneurial spirit, advanced technology, and international outlook with a rapidly developing healthcare system, making it an emerging destination for international patients seeking high-quality medical services in China.
We noticed that countless international patients urgently need a trustworthy local team who truly understands China’s medical system. Therefore, we gathered professional medical talents, rooted in China’s medical industry, and built JoyfulMedical. We are not a cold intermediary; we are the bridge between global patients and China’s high-quality medical resources.
17.9895
Permanent resident population(million)
1,997.47
Administrative area(square kilometers)
3.68
Total GDP (trillion/RMB)
9+1
Municipal districts
- Local core medical strengths
A Leading Hub for Innovative Healthcare in South China
Shenzhen has rapidly developed into a major healthcare hub in South China through partnerships with leading medical institutions, substantial investment in modern hospitals, and innovative healthcare policies.
By the end of 2024, the city had 33 Grade III, Class A hospitals, including 15 newly added since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. More than 9,000 hospital beds were added in 2024 alone, significantly expanding access to advanced medical services.
Through collaborations with Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and other leading institutions, Shenzhen has established a growing network of modern hospitals specializing in oncology, cardiovascular medicine, reproductive medicine, orthopedics, and critical care.
The city is also a pioneer in smart healthcare and the HK-Macao Medicine and Device Connect policy, providing patients with access to digital medical services and selected innovative drugs and medical devices.
33
Grade II-A hospitals
9,000+
New hospital beds in 2024
29
National key clinical specialties
17
HK-Macao Connect hospitals
World-Class New Hospital Cluster
Modern Medical Facilities / Expanding High-Quality Healthcare Resources
Shenzhen has developed a growing network of modern hospitals through large-scale investment and partnerships with leading medical institutions.
Major healthcare projects launched in 2024–2025 include Shenzhen Xinhua Hospital, operated by Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, with 2,500 planned beds; the Longhua Hospital of the Second People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, with 1,500 planned beds; and the Longhua Campus of Shenzhen Children’s Hospital.
These newly built facilities feature advanced medical equipment, modern clinical infrastructure, and patient-centered environments.
The expansion of high-quality healthcare resources beyond the former Special Economic Zone has significantly improved access to specialized treatment across Shenzhen.
HK-Macao Medicine & Device Connect
International Innovative Medicines / Cross-Border Medical Cooperation
Shenzhen is a pioneer in the HK-Macao Medicine and Device Connect policy, which allows designated medical institutions to use certain clinically urgent medicines and medical devices already marketed in Hong Kong or Macao but not yet registered on the Chinese mainland.
The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital became the first pilot institution under this policy in September 2020.
By the end of 2025, Shenzhen had 17 designated medical institutions. Across Guangdong Province, the program had introduced 63 medicines and 77 medical devices, benefiting approximately 17,000 patients.
The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital alone had introduced 34 innovative medicines and 18 medical devices, serving approximately 7,450 patients.
This policy expands access to selected international treatment options and strengthens medical cooperation between Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Nation-Leading Smart Healthcare
Internet Hospitals / Digital Health Records / AI-Assisted Diagnosis
Shenzhen is one of China’s pioneering cities in smart healthcare and Internet + Healthcare, integrating digital technologies into medical services.
The city has more than 200 internet hospitals, while electronic health records cover nearly 20 million residents.
Digital healthcare services include shared electronic medical records, cloud-based medical imaging, mutual recognition of laboratory and imaging results, mobile medical insurance payments, and AI-assisted diagnosis.
Innovative applications such as 5G remote surgery and digital patient navigation are also being introduced across medical institutions.
Shenzhen has established a local standard for Smart Hospital Construction and Management, supporting an integrated digital healthcare experience before, during, and after medical consultations.
Oncology & Cardiovascular Excellence
Advanced Cancer Treatment / Cardiovascular Medicine / Multidisciplinary Care
Shenzhen has developed specialized medical capabilities in oncology and cardiovascular medicine through partnerships with leading national medical institutions.
The Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, serves as the Southern Branch of the National Cancer Center and operates in coordination with its Beijing headquarters.
The Shenzhen Proton Therapy Center opened in 2025, expanding the hospital’s treatment capacity to 2,300 beds and strengthening advanced cancer care in South China.
In cardiovascular medicine, Shenzhen People’s Hospital and Fuwai Hospital CAMS Shenzhen provide specialized services involving TAVR, ECMO, complex coronary interventions, and heart transplantation.
The city is also expanding its capabilities in reproductive medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and hematology, creating a multidisciplinary healthcare network for patients with complex medical conditions.
- List of key medical institutions
Shenzhen People’s Hospital
Founded in 1946, Shenzhen People’s Hospital is one of the city’s oldest and largest municipal public hospitals. It became Shenzhen’s first Grade III, Class A hospital in 1994 and now serves as the Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology.
The hospital operates more than 3,000 beds across multiple campuses and recorded approximately 3.792 million medical visits in 2024.
It has four national key clinical specialties, including respiratory medicine, general surgery, critical care medicine, and geriatrics.
With extensive clinical resources and multidisciplinary expertise, the hospital provides comprehensive medical services for patients with complex and critical conditions.
- No. 3046 East Shennan Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
Established in 1999 through a partnership between the Shenzhen Municipal Government and Peking University, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital is a modern comprehensive hospital integrating clinical care, medical education, research, prevention, and rehabilitation.
The hospital operates nearly 2,500 beds and serves as an important clinical medical institution affiliated with Peking University Health Science Center in South China.
Since 2024, it has also managed Shenzhen Xinhua Hospital, a major healthcare project with 2,500 planned beds.
The hospital provides specialized medical services in nephrology, orthopedics, urology, reproductive medicine, and cardiovascular care.
It is also one of the first designated medical institutions participating in the HK-Macao Medicine and Device Connect policy.
- No. 1120 Lianhua Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
Key Speclalties
The Second People’s Hospital of Shenzhen
Founded in 1979, the Second People’s Hospital of Shenzhen is one of the city’s earliest municipal general hospitals and now serves as the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University.
The hospital integrates clinical care, medical education, research, prevention, and rehabilitation, with more than 2,500 beds and multiple national key clinical specialties.
Its clinical strengths include orthopedics, neurosurgery, burn treatment, emergency medicine, and hematology.
In January 2025, the hospital opened its Longhua Hospital, with 1,500 planned beds, further expanding access to specialized medical services in central and western Shenzhen.
- No. 3002 West Sungang Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
Key Speclalties
The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH)
Opened in 2012, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital is a landmark medical cooperation project between the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the University of Hong Kong.
The hospital combines modern medical facilities with internationally aligned healthcare practices, emphasizing evidence-based medicine, patient-centered services, and appointment-based care.
As China’s first pilot hospital for the HK-Macao Medicine and Device Connect policy, it provides access to selected innovative medicines and medical devices already marketed in Hong Kong or Macao.
By the end of 2025, the hospital had introduced 34 innovative medicines and 18 medical devices, benefiting approximately 7,450 patients.
Its international healthcare model and cross-border medical cooperation make it an important medical institution for patients seeking specialized treatment in Shenzhen.
- No. 1 Haiyuan 1st Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen
Established in 2017 through a partnership between the National Cancer Center, the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Shenzhen Municipal Government, this hospital is a specialized cancer treatment institution serving Shenzhen and South China.
It hosts the Southern Branches of the National Cancer Center and the National Clinical Research Center for Malignant Tumors.
Operating under a coordinated model with its Beijing headquarters, the hospital brings together specialized oncology teams covering thoracic, abdominal, gynecologic, and head and neck cancers.
In 2025, the Shenzhen Proton Therapy Center and the hospital’s second-phase expansion opened, increasing its capacity to 2,300 beds.
The hospital provides comprehensive cancer diagnosis and treatment services, including radiotherapy and proton therapy, for patients from Shenzhen and surrounding regions.
- No. 113 Baohe Avenue, Longgang District, Shenzhen
Union Hospital of HUST, Shenzhen (Nanshan Hospital)
Founded in 1946, Union Hospital of HUST, Shenzhen, also known as Nanshan People’s Hospital, is a comprehensive medical institution affiliated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
The hospital operates more than 1,900 beds across 42 clinical departments, providing medical care, education, research, prevention, and rehabilitation services.
Its pain medicine department is recognized as a national key clinical specialty and a Guangdong provincial high-level key specialty.
The hospital also has specialized clinical capabilities in infectious diseases, traditional Chinese medicine rheumatology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and hematology.
Located in Nanshan District, it serves as an important medical center for residents and patients in western Shenzhen.
- No. 89 Taoyuan Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Key Speclalties
- Local cultural characteristics
Dafen Oil Painting Village
Shenzhen is a quintessential immigrant city. Its original inhabitants were mainly Hakka and Cantonese, but since reform and opening-up, builders from all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China have converged here, forging an open, inclusive, innovative, pragmatic, and efficient urban culture. In 2008 Shenzhen was named a UNESCO “City of Design,” and in 2013 it became the only Chinese city to receive UNESCO’s “Global Model City for Universal Reading” award. From centuries-old Hakka enclosed houses and Cantonese villages, to the artistic energy of Dafen Oil Painting Village, to the 26-year-running Shenzhen Reading Month, the city’s culture preserves the deep roots of Lingnan heritage while pulsating with the youthful vitality of a city of innovation.
Shenzhen Reading Month
Launched in 2000, Shenzhen Reading Month is China’s longest-running and most influential urban reading festival. Every November thousands of reading events attract over ten million participations, helping Shenzhen earn UNESCO’s title of “Global Model City for Universal Reading.”
UNESCO City of Design
In December 2008, Shenzhen joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, becoming China’s first and the world’s sixth City of Design.
The city has developed strong creative industries in graphic design, industrial design, fashion, and architecture.
Events such as Shenzhen Design Week and the Global Design Awards showcase its creative achievements and international influence.
Dafen Oil Painting Village
Located in Buji, Longgang District, Dafen Oil Painting Village is one of the world’s largest production and trading centers for commercial oil paintings.
The village is home to more than 1,200 art businesses and over 8,000 painters, producing millions of oil paintings annually.
Known as China’s No. 1 Oil Painting Village, Dafen reflects Shenzhen’s vibrant artistic culture and creative industries.
Hakka Enclosed Houses
Shenzhen is an important center of Hakka culture in the Lingnan region, with well-preserved traditional enclosed houses such as Hehu Xinju, Maoshi Shiju, Dawanshiju, and Longtian Shiju.
Hehu Xinju is one of the largest surviving Hakka enclosed houses in China and is known as a living fossil of Hakka architecture.
These historic buildings preserve the architectural traditions and cultural heritage of Shenzhen’s early communities.
Shenzhen Spirit
Daring to venture is the core of Shenzhen’s spirit, while openness and inclusiveness form the foundation of its urban culture.
Pragmatism and the rule of law reflect the city’s character, and the pursuit of excellence continues to guide its development.
Together, these values define Shenzhen’s identity as an innovative and international metropolis.
- Famous tourist attractions
Window of the World
Window of the World is one of Shenzhen’s most iconic theme parks, featuring more than 130 scaled replicas of world-famous landmarks.
From the Eiffel Tower to the Egyptian Pyramids, the park offers visitors an opportunity to explore different cultures and architectural wonders in one destination.
Shenzhen Bay Park
Shenzhen Bay Park stretches approximately 13 kilometers along the city’s coastline, combining mangrove ecosystems, seaside boardwalks, and panoramic skyline views.
It is a popular destination for bird-watching, cycling, walking, and enjoying views of Hong Kong across Shenzhen Bay.
Lianhuashan Park
Located in central Shenzhen, Lianhuashan Park features a bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping and offers panoramic views of the city’s central business district.
The park is an important landmark commemorating China’s reform and opening-up and Shenzhen’s modern development.
OCT East
Located near Dameisha in Yantian District, OCT East covers nearly 9 square kilometers.
The coastal eco-tourism resort combines mountain landscapes, theme parks, hot-spring resorts, golf facilities, and cultural attractions.
Dameisha Beach Park
Dameisha Beach Park is one of Shenzhen’s most popular public beaches, featuring approximately 1,800 meters of golden sand.
With its palm-lined waterfront and clear blue waters, the park is a popular destination for swimming, beach recreation, and surfing during summer.
Nantou Ancient City
Nantou Ancient City has more than 1,700 years of history and was once an important administrative center, coastal defense stronghold, and Maritime Silk Road port.
Today, the historic district combines traditional architecture, creative industries, and distinctive local shops, reflecting Shenzhen’s historical and cultural heritage.
- Distinctive local cuisine
Chaoshan Beef Hotpot & Shenzhen’s Diverse Culinary Culture
Shenzhen is a city of immigrants with a diverse food culture rooted in Hakka and Cantonese traditions.
Regional cuisines from Chaoshan, Sichuan, Hunan, and Hubei have enriched the city’s culinary landscape.
Chaoshan beef hotpot is one of Shenzhen’s most popular signature dishes, featuring freshly sliced beef briefly cooked in clear beef-bone broth and served with satay sauce.
Other local and Lingnan specialties include Gongming roast goose, Shajing oysters, rice noodle rolls, and double-skin milk.
Changfen (Rice Noodle Rolls)
Changfen is a classic Lingnan dim sum dish made from thin, freshly steamed rice noodle sheets filled with shrimp, beef, barbecued pork, or eggs.
Served with soy sauce, its smooth texture and savory flavor make it a popular breakfast and late-night snack in Shenzhen.
Chaoshan Beef Hotpot
Chaoshan beef hotpot is one of Shenzhen’s most popular dishes, featuring freshly sliced beef briefly cooked in clear broth.
Served with traditional satay sauce, the dish preserves the natural tenderness and rich flavor of the beef.
Gongming Roast Goose
Gongming roast goose is a traditional specialty from Shenzhen’s Guangming District.
Roasted over lychee wood, the dish is known for its crispy skin, tender meat, and rich juices, making it one of Shenzhen’s representative local roasted-meat specialties.
Shajing Oysters
Shajing oysters have been cultivated in Bao'an District for centuries and are known for their large size and tender texture. They can be steamed, charcoal-grilled, deep-fried, or cooked in congee.
Double-Skin Milk
Double-skin milk is a traditional Lingnan dessert originating in Shunde and widely enjoyed in Shenzhen. Made from water-buffalo milk, this silky custard is often served with red beans, lotus seeds, or mango.
- Urban transportation options
Shenzhen’s Integrated Transportation Network
Shenzhen has developed a modern transportation system comprising metro, public buses, aviation, high-speed rail, and port facilities.
As a major transportation hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the city provides convenient connections between mainland China, Hong Kong, and international destinations.
Metro
Shenzhen’s urban rail network reached 634.5 kilometers by the end of 2025, with 18 lines, including one tram line, and 441 stations covering every district and new area.
Annual ridership reached approximately 3.285 billion in 2025, averaging around 9 million passengers per day.
Fares start at ¥2, with QR codes, UnionPay QuickPass, and transportation cards accepted.
18 Lines / 634.5 km of Operating Metro Network
Aviation Hub
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) is one of China’s major international aviation and air-cargo hubs.
In 2024, the airport handled approximately 61.477 million passengers and 1.881 million tonnes of cargo and mail.
Its international and regional flight network connects Shenzhen with 31 countries and regions across five continents.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport / International & Domestic Flights
Public Bus
Shenzhen operates an extensive public bus network with nearly 1,000 routes covering residential communities, commercial districts, and industrial parks.
The city is recognized for its fully electric public bus fleet.
Fares range from ¥1 to ¥10, with payment available through Shenzhen Tong cards, mobile NFC, and QR codes.
Bus Fares from ¥1 / Extensive Citywide Coverage
High-Speed Rail
Shenzhen’s major railway stations include Shenzhen North, Futian, Shenzhen, Shenzhen Pingshan, and Guangmingcheng.
Shenzhen North Station connects major high-speed railway lines, including the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong, Xiamen-Shenzhen, and Ganzhou-Shenzhen routes.
High-speed rail services connect Futian Station with Hong Kong West Kowloon in as little as 14 minutes, while Guangzhou can be reached in approximately 30 minutes.
Shenzhen North Station / Direct High-Speed Rail Connections
Subway Travel Tips
Use the Shenzhen Metro network to travel between major commercial districts, railway stations, and transportation hubs.
Metro fares start at ¥2 and are calculated by distance. QR codes, UnionPay QuickPass, and transportation cards are accepted.
18
operating lines
441
stations
634.5
kilometers of operating mileage
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