Your stay — Baobab backpacker hostel
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The Property — Baobab backpacker hostel
Baobab Backpacker Hostel in Shenzhen’s Nanshan district is a relaxed, budget-friendly spot with a rooftop lounge and free beer hours — it feels more like a communal crash pad than a hotel. There’s a pétanque court, a pool table, and a small bar, so it skews young and social, not quiet. It suits solo travellers or small groups who want to meet people and don’t mind dorm beds or simple private rooms. Standing in the lobby, you hear music, chatter, and the occasional ping of a game — it’s lively, a bit scruffy, and genuinely welcoming.
Chronicles of Shenzhen
Shenzhen was a small fishing village until 1979, when it was designated China’s first Special Economic Zone. That decision turned it from 300,000 people into a megacity of over 17 million in four decades. Its skyline exploded with experimental architecture — the Ping An Finance Centre and the giant Vanke HQ — reflecting a city built on speed and tech. Today it’s a global hub for hardware and innovation, with a young, migrant-driven culture that feels more open and experimental than Beijing or Shanghai. Its civic identity is pragmatic and forward-looking: a place that constantly remakes itself.
Best Time to Visit
Full Shenzhen guide →Best months
October and November are ideal: warmth fades to 20-25°C, humidity drops, and skies are clear. They avoid the summer typhoons and the Chinese National Day crowds of early October have subsided. March is also good — spring flowers bloom and it’s still dry before the wet season.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak for domestic tourism (school summer holidays) and for typhoon season, which can close attractions. Hotel prices in Shenzhen jump 30-50% in July, though Baobab’s dorms stay under 100 CNY. No single festival dominates; the big draws are shopping and Shenzhen Bay’s beaches, which are packed.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early June are the best shoulder period: the rain hasn’t peaked, prices dip after May Day, and crowds thin. September, just after the summer peak, is also good — fewer tourists, lower dorm rates, and the risk of typhoons drops by month’s end.
Weather & packing
Shenzhen in July is a soup: 30-35°C with near-100% humidity and sudden downpours. Pack quick-dry clothes and a lightweight waterproof jacket — an umbrella alone won’t cut it in a monsoon burst.
Live City Briefing — Shenzhen
- Shenzhen Metro Line 12 has extended to the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre, making it easier to reach the city’s western expo hub — useful if you’re visiting for a trade show.
- The OCT-LOFT creative park in Nanshan recently opened a new gallery space called A+ Works of Art, adding to its indie art scene — worth a half-day walk from the hostel.
- July is peak typhoon season: check the Shenzhen Weather Observatory alerts daily, and avoid hiking in Wutong Mountain if a warning is issued.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baobab backpacker hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (4th or 5th) facing away from the main road. At a 3-star backpacker hostel in Shenzhen, the upper floors will have less street noise from the busy avenues common in the city, and the back side reduces traffic hum.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms or rooms directly facing the street entrance—these pick up foot traffic, taxi drop-offs, and the 24-hour city noise Shenzhen is known for. Also avoid rooms near any common areas like the reception or bar if the hostel has one.
Best views
Limited. Back-facing rooms may look onto a quieter alley or neighbouring buildings. Front-facing rooms might get a view of Shenzhen's dense, bright cityscape—interesting but noisy. No standout view expected at this star rating.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 (if there are 5 or more floors). These are high enough to buffer street noise but low enough to use stairs easily if the lift is slow—common in budget hostels.
🔊 Noise notes
Shenzhen is a 24/7 city: traffic, construction, and air-conditioner hum are constant. If the hostel is on a main road (likely given address 'Shenzhen'), expect bus and taxi noise from early morning till late night. Weekend nights can be loud with partygoers.
Insider tips
1. Check if the hostel has earplugs at reception—many backpacker places in Shenzhen provide them. 2. If you're arriving late, call ahead to confirm the lift works after a certain hour; older hostels sometimes lock lifts overnight, leaving stairs the only option for upper floors.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Baobab backpacker hostel
Free WiFi throughout; speeds around 10 Mbps; login via room number and surname on captive portal.
No lift; accommodation is on floors 2–5, accessible only by stairs.
No printed newspapers; a communal TV in the lobby shows local channels; no digital newsstand.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 07:00; late check-out until 12:00 at no extra charge, after 12:00 charged 50 CNY per hour until 18:00, then full night rate.
Free luggage storage in a locked room for guests checking in or out on the same day.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps and no ramp. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or toilets.
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is the Coastal City Shopping Mall car park, 200m away, costing 15 CNY per hour, 60 CNY overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a refundable cash deposit of 100 CNY per person is collected at check-in.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
京基百纳空间 — 289 m · ~4 min walk
荔枝公园 — 477 m · ~6 min walk
深圳博物馆古代艺术馆 — 685 m · ~9 min walk
深圳大剧院 — 394 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
渣打银行 — 314 m · ~4 min walk
罗森 — 881 m · ~11 min walk
红岭 — 449 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Chinese Yuan, CNY
Use bank ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange counters at airport and tourist spots as they charge poor rates and fees.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most malls and hotels; smaller shops and street stalls are cash or WeChat Pay/Alipay only.
Tipping is not expected in Shenzhen; don't tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels — it can even be refused.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain café drip coffee or local bakery takeaway coffee for about 18-25 yuan.
Rice or noodle bowl from a local canteen or food court for around 20-30 yuan.
A stir-fry or noodle dish at a neighbourhood eatery for about 30-50 yuan for a main.
Snack stalls and night markets around villages like Baishizhou or Huangbeiling offer grilled skewers and jianbing from 5-15 yuan.
Budget supermarket chains common here: Yonghui Superstore, Vanguard, and Carrefour.
Dongmen Market or Huaqiangbei electronics/accessory malls for affordable clothes and accessories.
Shenzhen Metro day pass for 20 yuan — cheapest way around; from the airport take Metro Line 11 for about 7 yuan to city centre.
1) Use WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to a Chinese bank card for cashless discounts. 2) Eat at food courts in malls or local canteens instead of tourist streets. 3) Buy a Shenzhen Tong transport card for discounted metro and bus fares.
Good to know — Shenzhen
Type A/C/I · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ¥6.79 · CNY
Emergency Contacts
ShenzhenIn Shenzhen, dial 110 for police, 120 for ambulance/medical emergencies, and 119 for fire services. English-speaking operators may be limited outside major hotels. For tourist assistance, contact your hotel concierge or the Shenzhen Tourism Hotline at 0755-88869966.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Shenzhen, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Baobab backpacker hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · 渣打银行 — 314 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport → Shanghai Hotel, Luohu District
💡 Use Didi app for fixed pricing to avoid disputes. Airport has designated taxi stands on Level 1. Avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport → Shanghai Hotel, Luohu District
💡 Use Didi app for cheaper rates than street hailing. Airport has designated taxi rank on Level 1. Negotiate or ensure meter is used.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (Terminal 1&2 B3 level) → Luohu Station (Line 1), near Shanghai Hotel
💡 Most economical option. Purchase rechargeable Shenzhen Pass card at airport for all metro/bus journeys. Direct connection, no transfers needed
Airport East Station (via connecting bus/train) → Various stations citywide
💡 Buy Tsingcard (transit card) at airport for seamless transfers. Most convenient for daily local exploration near Shanghai Hotel.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (Departure Level) → Luohu Bus Station / Luohu Port Area (near Shanghai Hotel)
💡 Good for budget travelers with light luggage. Operates year-round. Purchase tickets at airport information desk or on-board
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport → Luohu Port / Central Station area
💡 Budget-friendly option. Transfers available to metro Line 1 at Luohu Station for local transit. Best for light luggage.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport → Futian Station / Luohu Station
💡 Fastest airport transfer option. Connects to metro lines at both endpoints. Purchase tickets at airport before departing Terminal 3.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport Station → Shenzhen Railway Station (Luohu area), walking distance to Shanghai Hotel
💡 Fastest ground option. Connected directly to airport terminals via underground passage. Clean, reliable, no traffic concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Baobab backpacker hostel?
Request a room on the upper floors (4th or 5th) facing away from the main road. At a 3-star backpacker hostel in Shenzhen, the upper floors will have less street noise from the busy avenues common in the city, and the back side reduces traffic hum.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baobab backpacker hostel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms or rooms directly facing the street entrance—these pick up foot traffic, taxi drop-offs, and the 24-hour city noise Shenzhen is known for. Also avoid rooms near any common areas like the reception or bar if the hostel has one.
Is Baobab backpacker hostel noisy?
Shenzhen is a 24/7 city: traffic, construction, and air-conditioner hum are constant. If the hostel is on a main road (likely given address 'Shenzhen'), expect bus and taxi noise from early morning till late night. Weekend nights can be loud with partygoers.
Which rooms have the best views at Baobab backpacker hostel?
Limited. Back-facing rooms may look onto a quieter alley or neighbouring buildings. Front-facing rooms might get a view of Shenzhen's dense, bright cityscape—interesting but noisy. No standout view expected at this star rating.
What are insider tips for staying at Baobab backpacker hostel?
1. Check if the hostel has earplugs at reception—many backpacker places in Shenzhen provide them. 2. If you're arriving late, call ahead to confirm the lift works after a certain hour; older hostels sometimes lock lifts overnight, leaving stairs the only option for upper floors.
What time is check-in at Baobab backpacker hostel?
Check-in at Baobab backpacker hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baobab backpacker hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speeds around 10 Mbps; login via room number and surname on captive portal.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baobab backpacker hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Baobab backpacker hostel?
Rice or noodle bowl from a local canteen or food court for around 20-30 yuan.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baobab backpacker hostel?
Shenzhen Metro day pass for 20 yuan — cheapest way around; from the airport take Metro Line 11 for about 7 yuan to city centre.
When is the best time to visit Shenzhen?
October and November are ideal: warmth fades to 20-25°C, humidity drops, and skies are clear. They avoid the summer typhoons and the Chinese National Day crowds of early October have subsided. March is also good — spring flowers bloom and it’s still dry before the wet season.
Top Attractions in Shenzhen
💡 Start on the top floor and work down. The historical section on the 4th floor is the most interesting. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
💡 Go late afternoon to catch the sunset and the city lights coming on. The statue of Deng Xiaoping at the top is a photo hotspot.
💡 Go during the week to avoid crowds. Entry to most galleries is free – check if any temporary exhibitions charge. Bring a water bottle; drinks here can be pricey.
💡 Rent a bike from one of the station kiosks for about ¥30 per hour. The best section is from the Binhai Boulevard entrance to the lookout platform – about 3 km.
💡 Negotiate politely – ask for 30–40% off the initial price. Check the paint is dry before rolling a canvas. Best visited on a weekday morning to see artists actually working.