Arriving at 10am, I wait in line for 25 minutes (I recommend making a reservation at least one day in advance to avoid queuing). I am fortunate to get an outdoor seat with a view of the lake. The disadvantage of alfresco dining here, though, is the somewhat inattentive staff, and it requires several gestures to catch their attention.

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The first thing that arrives at the table, 22 minutes after ordering, is the dessert. It takes another 35 minutes before the six savoury dishes arrive. Though the food is well prepared and tasty, it does not justify the wait. The bill comes to 374 yuan (US$53/HK$414).

Ping An Finance Centre (PAFC), the impressive centrepiece of Shenzhen’s bustling CBD, boasts an observation deck called Free Sky on its 116th floor, 541 metres (1,775 feet) above the ground. Admission is 200 yuan per person. As the lift ascends at 10 metres per second, my ears pop and my excitement grows.

With clear skies and high visibility, I enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view that stretches from the helipads at the base of PAFC to the double-deck bridge of Futian Port and even farmlands in Hong Kong’s New Territories. This is the highlight of my day out.

The ground entrance to Free Sky is flanked by a variety of food and snack shops offering everything from bubble tea and coffee to gelato and yogurt, with most items priced between 20 and 30 yuan.

A diverse array of dining options can be found in the PAFC mall. My choice for lunch is Blossom Palaces, also known as Huayueting, which is renowned for its Beijing fruitwood roast duck. Its menu extends beyond Beijing dishes to showcase a fusion of Chinese cuisines, blending flavours from the north, Huaiyang, Guangdong and Sichuan.

Our meal for two – four dishes and two non-alcoholic drinks – totals 667 yuan.

After lunch, I decide to burn off some calories with a stroll. Just across the road from the PAFC, the Coco Park shopping complex has stood as a Shenzhen icon for nearly two decades and remains a one-stop shopping destination.

Boasting an outdoor square at its centre, a vibrant bar scene, and hundreds of shops spanning fashion, jewellery, gadgets, home appliances, and more, it caters to diverse budgets and tastes.

For real bargains, however, I head to my next destination: Sam’s Club, in Futian, the new shopping hotspot for Hongkongers.

When I arrive, a tour bus from Hong Kong is just pulling up and I am immediately surrounded by chattering in Cantonese.

Everything in the store screams BIG! MORE! and the way merchandise is arranged and displayed – coupled with the crowds – convinces you everything is a great price.

Looking for decorations for Chinese New Year? You can get a pair of vintage faux-sheepskin palace lanterns for 169.90 yuan, a piggy bank disguised as the God of Wealth for 199 yuan, or an illuminated musical drum with a snowfall effect showcasing the same god for 169.90 yuan.

A Philips electric toothbrush set, with two handles and two brush heads, is on sale for 458.90 yuan. Other deals include organic Wuchang rice (158 yuan/10kg) and Zespri Sungold kiwis (258.90 yuan/3kg).

A bakery popular among Hong Kong day trippers offers freshly made treats like Swiss rolls (59.80 yuan for 16 rolls) and Basque cheesecakes (79.90 yuan for six).

As my smartwatch notifies me that I’ve hit my daily goal of 10,000 steps, I head off to EP Mall, just a four-minute drive from Sam’s Club, in search of relaxation and serenity.

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Sharing the car park with the Langham Hotel, this mall offers a quieter atmosphere while still providing a diverse selection of restaurants, lifestyle services and Shenzhen’s first Emperor Cinemas, making it a decent choice for a leisurely evening.

I discover Naturade, a chain spa and massage parlour, nestled in the car park. For less than 150 yuan (137.90 to be exact), first-time customers can enjoy a 60-minute, full-body massage. The masseuse later tells me they only accept female customers.

As my tension and stress melt away, my stomach informs me it’s time for dinner.

Specialising in Japanese cuisine, Benyuan Shiji Robatayaki, at EP Mall, offers fresh ingredients and a seamless dining experience. The meal comes to 633 yuan for two, including four main courses and one dessert.

As night falls, I head to Emperor Cinemas to catch Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 3D. Tickets cost 84 yuan each. (Tickets for IMAX movies start at 119 yuan at PAFC’s Emperor Cinemas and 104 yuan at One Avenue’s CGV Cinemas.) The multiplex is conveniently located next to a branch of Naixue, making it easy to grab a milk tea before the show starts.

My packed but fulfilling day trip in Shenzhen comes to a total of 2,248 yuan.

Hong Kong

by Erika Na

What would a uniquely Hong Kong weekend look like? I decide to spend the day basking in the city’s rich culture and history and taking advantage of its compact size. Given the time limit, I choose to stay on Hong Kong Island.

It only makes sense to start the day off with dim sum. We arrive at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall around 9am and there is no need to wait for a table.

We order local classics such as siu mai, barbecue pork pineapple buns, har gow, steamed spare ribs with black bean sauce, sweet and sour pork, aubergine, and century egg congee. Everything is fresh and delicious and the meal costs HK$498.30 (US$64).

After breakfast, we head to the street market in Sheung Wan on Upper Lascar Row. The area is full of antique and vintage shops selling more expensive, higher-end collectibles.

The street market features vendors selling all sorts of items, ranging from small jade angel or Buddha figures (HK$150) to gua sha tools (HK$80) and bracelets that match your zodiac sign (HK$15). There are posters of Bruce Lee and of historic scenes from the city, such as the old Kai Tak airport in Kowloon.

I buy three colourful Chinese longevity plates for my mom’s birthday. The shopkeeper gives me a discount for buying three pieces, and each costs HK$150.

After exploring the many old temples in the area we decide to have a healthy vegan lunch.

There are many vegan dining options in Central. We picked Orka Restaurant, Bar and Cafe, where I order a vegan burger with pumpkin and oat patty with sweet potato fries and fresh juice, while my friend has a blueberry pancake with chai tea. That costs HK$430 in total.

For dessert, we walk a little and pay Messina a visit. The popular Australian gelato shop offers unique Hong Kong-inspired flavours such as tong yuen and tofu fa.

I have one scoop of egg tart flavour and one of pistachio, while my friend has a scoop of pistachio. All that costs HK$155.

A minute’s walk away is Tai Kwun, a heritage and arts venue that is great for window shopping and people watching.

At Tai Kwun’s shops and art galleries you can find original works by local and international artists, including futuristic-looking porcelain tea bowls (HK$6,000 to HK$7,000) and a beautiful German-made antique clock (HK$7,800).

For dinner, we decide on a traditional Cantonese meal at Kamcentre Roast Goose in Causeway Bay, famous for its barbecued items. We order small portions of char siu and roast goose, sweet and sour pork, layered bean curd with shrimp roe, and a bowl of rice.

Portions are generous here and we end up taking leftovers home. The dinner costs HK$744.

To end the long day, we opt for a foot massage. It is a 60-minute massage – divided into a 45-minute foot massage and 15-minute neck and back massage – that costs us HK$270 plus HK$50 tip each. There are so many massage parlours in the city and you can just walk down the street and get a decent massage without a booking.

My day out totals HK$2,917 – around HK$440 more than the Shenzhen outing, and that is without squeezing in a film at the cinema.