⚠ Open items — please respond
Guide dates confirmed ✅ Mon 6 Jul · Wed 8 Jul (Dapeng) · Fri 10 Jul (Tea + Nanshan). Remaining items below:
12Cooking experience — Sun 12 JulPlease propose options for a private cooking lesson — Cantonese / dim sum, small group only, home kitchen or personal chef setting. No large group classes. This is one of our trip highlights. Sun 12 Jul, afternoon/evening.
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—Tips for independent daysPlease keep sharing tech-related tips and local recommendations for the days you are not with us — robot stores, innovation centres, restaurants, anything interesting. Your local knowledge makes all the difference.
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✅ Confirmed & agreed
All fees confirmed and agreed: Guide 1,200 RMB/8h (+160/h overtime) · Van 1,200 RMB/8h (+150/h overtime, parking/tolls extra with receipts) · Planning fee 668 RMB (lucky numbers 😊) · Airport transfer 3 Jul: 2,000 RMB all-in, same van door to door (dual HK+SZ plates, no vehicle switch at border) · All costs to be communicated transparently in advance — no surprises · Restaurant bookings free of charge, by phone · Tips voluntary.
About the family
We are a Dutch family of four visiting Shenzhen from 3–14 July 2026, staying at the Four Points by Sheraton Bao'an (No 70 Baomin 1st Road, Bao'an District 518101 · Tel: +86-755-29558888 · Reservation: Thomas Kothuis). Our son Luka is on a robotics internship in Bao'an and has been living there since early 2026 — Luka's apartment: 宝安区朗峻广场2栋B单元2009 · Office: 金环宇大厦14楼1402号
We have been to Asia many times and lived in Kuala Lumpur for 4 years. We prefer local, off the beaten track experiences, real food, and avoiding big tourist crowds. We are happy to start early to beat the heat and very open to David's recommendations.
Janine does not eat meat but does eat fish and shellfish. Samuel enjoys spicy food. TK and Luka eat everything. Please keep Janine's dietary needs in mind for all restaurant bookings.
Important: Janine has been managing her energy levels carefully. We have asked David to spread the 3 guide days with at least one rest day in between rather than 3 consecutive days. We are very flexible on which specific days to use — please suggest what works best logistically given the locations.
The family
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Thomas (TK)
Father · age 56 · +31-611884464
WeChat: kaaskop
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Janine
Age 55 · Pescetarian
No meat · fish & shellfish fine
Managing energy levels
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Samuel
Son · age 22
Loves spicy food
WeChat: wxid_9ng1orof8mg222
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Luka
Son · age 23 · lives in Bao'an
Robotics internship
WeChat: HalfVoltage · wants to join David days
Guide day plans
All 3 guide day dates confirmed ✅ — Day 1: Mon 6 Jul · Day 2: Wed 8 Jul (Dapeng, Luka joining) · Day 3: Fri 10 Jul (Tea + Nanshan, Luka joining). Each day has at least one rest day in between.
09:30Leave hotel with David
MorningNantou Ancient City — Ming-era walled district, local life, shops, museums, cafés. Most open from 10:00–10:30. ~1–1.5h.
LunchMIXC Mall Nanshan — great views, many restaurant options (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, western). Haus Nowhere is also in this area — must-see concept space confirmed by David.
AfternoonOCT Loft — independent galleries, coffee, relaxed creative district
DinnerOCT Loft area — David to advise
ReturnSpiral Bookshop on the way back ✅ (confirmed location)
09:00Depart hotel — 1.5h drive to Dapeng. Luka is taking the day off to join the full day ✅ All four of us.
MorningDapeng Ancient City — Ming dynasty fortress, Zhonghualong Museum. Start early to beat the heat.
LunchSeafood lunch near Dapeng + local ice drink — please recommend your preferred spot
AfternoonDapeng Bay beach walk (weather permitting). Stay hydrated.
Local tipLuzui Villa (鹿嘴山庄) — dramatic coastal rocky headland near Dapeng, stunning scenery. Worth including if you see a natural fit — not a must, your call entirely.
ReturnDafen Oil Painting Village on the way back (Longgang district) — world's largest oil painting hub, 700+ galleries, 5,000+ artists. Watch painters at work, wander the lanes, free admission. Dafen Art Museum on site (free, great AC). Allow 1–1.5h.
WhoLuka is free and joining for the full day — whole family.
MorningPrivate tea ceremony — a fully private setting for just the 4 of us (no strangers), confirmed at Rainforest Old Tree Tea House. A calm cultural moment. Lunch nearby.
AfternoonTalent Park, Nanshan — drone coffee, robot coffee, Inno Robot Store (exoskeleton experience, pay to try · near Shenzhen Bay Culture Square). Modern art + calligraphy ~20 RMB/person.
EveningHuo Xi seafood hot pot, Nanshan — pescetarian-friendly for Janine ✅ Please book. Luka joins.
Full trip calendar — for context
Fri 3 JulDavid picks up at HKIA · van to hotel · 2,000 RMB all-in
Sat 4 JulMorning massages at hotel (Jane) · Bao'an local day with Luka · family independent
Sun 5 JulNanshan Museum (4F) · Dongmen Old Street late afternoon · family independent
Mon 6 JulDavid Day 1 — Nantou + MIXC + OCT Loft + Spiral Bookshop + Haus Nowhere ✅
Tue 7 JulFutian morning + Ping An 116F · explore Ping An area · dinner MIXC Nanshan with Luka
Wed 8 JulDavid Day 2 — Dapeng Ancient City · Luka joins (day off) ✅
Thu 9 JulHuaqiangbei electronics · Luka leads · David on WeChat
Fri 10 JulDavid Day 3 — Tea ceremony + Talent Park + Inno Robot + Huo Xi hot pot · Luka free
Sat 11 JulSea World · Shekou Area · Jason Dong + wife Emma joins ~14:00 · Nanyou Garment Market · water shows evening
Sun 12 JulH&V lunch · Shangri-La Lo Wu · private cooking lesson afternoon/evening (David proposing options)
Mon 13 JulTech day II · Huaqiangbei · family independent
Tue 14 JulJanine: CZ8047 SZX 15:30 → Singapore · TK & Samuel → HKG · Ming Court lunch ✅ Ricky & Carol 12:30 · KL888 22:20
Other people you may meet
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Jason Dong & Emma
Local Shenzhen friends · hosting Sea World day · 11 Jul · Emma is a Nanyou Garment Market expert and will guide the shopping
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Ricky Cheung
Hong Kong accountant, company administrator and trusted advisor on business, banking and corporate matters · Ricky has been in contact with David to verify his credentials
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Hans & Victoria
TK's cousin Hans and his wife Victoria · long-time Hong Kong residents · joining for lunch Sun 12 Jul at Shangri-La Lo Wu, Shenzhen · whole family