{"id":23783,"date":"2024-04-02T13:16:53","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T05:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/varsity.com.cuhk.edu.hk\/?p=23783"},"modified":"2024-08-22T12:14:37","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T04:14:37","slug":"shenzhen-student-hotspot-for-cheap-thrills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/varsity.com.cuhk.edu.hk\/index.php\/2024\/04\/shenzhen-student-hotspot-for-cheap-thrills\/","title":{"rendered":"Shenzhen: Student Hotspot for Cheap Thrills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Students in Hong Kong spend money in Shenzhen for cheaper prices and more diverse choices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Celina<\/strong> Lu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

U<\/strong>niversity student Shay Xie Chengxi, who lives in Fanling, goes to Shenzhen with his friends every weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI go to Shenzhen for a day of fun. It costs me about RMB \u00a5300 (US $41.47) to watch a movie, dine out and sing karaoke. If I do the same things in Hong Kong, it probably costs me RMB \u00a5500 (US $69.11),\u201d the 23-year-old student says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shay shares that a hotpot meal with five people in Shenzhen costs about RMB \u00a5100 (US $13.82) per head, which is half the price of a meal in Hong Kong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Hong Kong a hotpot meal costs at least RMB \u00a5200 (US $27.65). Pricing is a strong reason for me to go to Shenzhen. Also, I eat cuisine that I cannot find in Hong Kong, such as Xinjiang food like charcoal grilled beef and lamb,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Having Xinjiang grilled meat in Shenzhen. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another university student, Felix Shangguan Yuqian, also goes to Shenzhen every weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDining out is the highlight of my week. I choose to go to Shenzhen to spend money because of cheaper cost and better quality of service,\u201d the 23-year-old student says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can get a delicious meal with two to three dishes in Shenzhen for RMB \u00a540-50 (US $5.53-6.91) if you order takeout, and it usually only costs RMB \u00a5100 (US $13.82) if you go to a restaurant. But in Hong Kong, it costs you RMB \u00a5150-200 (US $20.73-27.65) for dining in,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbout the quality of service, there\u2019s usually no time limit for dining in Shenzhen, and the waiters are more polite,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than eating out, Shangguan also has his hair cut once a month in Shenzhen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA simple haircut in Hong Kong costs RMB \u00a560-70 (US $8.29-9.68), compared with RMB \u00a520 (US $2.77) across the border,\u201d Shangguan says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you want a fine haircut at a high-end salon, it costs RMB \u00a5300-400 (US $41.47-55.29) in Hong Kong. But it only costs about RMB \u00a5100 (US $13.82) in mainland China. Colouring and perming are also more expensive in Hong Kong. And the skills of hair stylists in Shenzhen are much better,\u201d he adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from cheaper spending on food and services, university students also flock to Shenzhen for leisure activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

University student Ivy Shi Yuhan visits Shenzhen at least once a week and sometimes stays overnight there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI usually go to Shenzhen to join role-play games, sing karaoke, play board games, have a massage or a drink with friends,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Enjoying the facilities of party rooms in Shenzhen.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

According to the data provided by the Dianping app, the per capita consumption of entertainment activities such as Live Action Role Playing (LARP) games, escape room games, KTVs, board game parlours, and massage shops in Hong Kong cost RMB \u00a550-200 (US $6.91-27.65), while the price is RMB \u00a530-150 (US $4.15-20.73) in Shenzhen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe entertainment venues in Hong Kong are relatively small and old, and prices are expensive. Unlike in Shenzhen, where pricing is cheap and the venue is more spacious and well-maintained,\u201d the Year Two student explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Shenzhen’s KTV facilities feature large screens.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Professor Haiyan Song from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University points out cost is the major factor for people going to Shenzhen to spend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe living costs in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai are much cheaper. The demand for consumption is determined by price, so that\u2019s why a lot of people go to these cities instead of staying in Hong Kong,\u201d Song says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Song believes the spending pattern will not last long. \u201cWhen the economic situation in China improves, more tourists will come to Hong Kong. We forecast that Hong Kong will recover to the 2018 level by the end of 2025,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) says they will step up promotion through different strategies to attract visitors to visit Hong Kong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPromoting tourism through mega events and reinforcing Hong Kong\u2019s position as the Events Capital of Asia; attracting high value-added visitors and stepping up the development of Meetings, Incentive travels, Conventions, and Exhibitions by tapping into Hong Kong\u2019s advantage as the \u2018World\u2019s Meeting Place\u2019,\u201d the board says in a reply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by Cynthia Hu<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sub-edited by Liam Hordijk<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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