If you’ve been scrolling through social media in hopes of refreshing your 2026 travel list, then you’re in luck. This is because Malaysia Airlines has just announced that it’s time for not just one, but two new destinations to visit.
With the first of many flights taking off on the 1st of July to Shenzhen and the 8th of July for Changsha, gone are the days when you’ll have to make long layovers in Hong Kong or Guangzhou just to visit some of the hottest destinations of China. For Malaysians looking to jump on a last-minute holiday, the visa-free agreement that’s still in effect through 2026 makes these destinations an unbeatable entry into your must-visit spots.
Beyond the excitement of being among the first to fly on this new route, you’ll get to kick back and enjoy the spacious Airbus A330-200 aircraft on its daily flights. Whether it’s settling into the signature batik-patterned seats or catching the latest movies on the MHstudio in-flight entertainment system, the holiday mood starts early with Malaysia Airlines. What’s more, you’ll even get to tuck into a hot meal and land in the heart of China in no time.
A tale of two cities: Should you visit Shenzhen or Changsha?
With so much to explore in Shenzhen and Changsha, the only hard part of the trip is deciding which city to visit first. So, before we dive into the specific spots, here are some tips to help you get a feel for the cities’ vibes.
Located in the southeastern region of China, many who have visited Shenzhen prior will find the city like you’re living in 2050. With gleaming glass towers, lush vertical gardens, and robots wheezing through parks to deliver food orders, the organised landscapes are unbeatable if you’re into the “solarpunk” aesthetic. But don’t be turned away by its ultra-modern outlook, as Shenzhen is surprisingly breathable and is one of the greenest cities in the country.
On the flip side, Changsha is a large and historic city set in the capital of Hunan province. Known for its rare collection of Western Han dynasty tombs, the city offers electric energy that simply doesn’t stop. Awarded the “Happiest City in China” for 18 consecutive years by the Oriental Outlook magazine, this soulful capital is home to neon-soaked alleys and age-old architecture all at once. If you’re looking for a getaway filled with bold flavours and endless excitement, Changsha is undoubtedly the place to be.
5 spots in Shenzhen you cannot miss
Walk in the clouds at the Ping An Finance Centre
To best experience the sheer ambition of Shenzhen, there’s nothing better than to stand at the very top of it. Nestled in the Futian Central Business District, this massive skyscraper stands 599.1 meters tall and is the fifth-tallest in the world. Despite its name as a finance centre, the building in fact houses offices, a hotel, retail spaces, and a high-end shopping mall.
But what makes the Ping An Finance Centre a spot in Shenzhen that you cannot miss is, in fact, the observation deck named FREE SKY. Set on the 116th floor of the building, your experience begins with a high-speed multimedia elevator ride that takes you up 547.6 metres in just 55 seconds. As the doors open, you’ll be greeted by a glass sanctuary that offers 360-degree views of the city. On a clear day, you may even catch glimpses of Hong Kong’s New Territories or spot the mangroves of Shenzhen Bay.
Visiting FREE SKY an hour before sunset is recommended, as you’ll get to watch the skyline turn from a sunlit haven to a night-lit city. Do note that passports are required for security checks to enter the Ping An Finance Centre, so it’s best to bring them along if you’re visiting for the day.
Meet the locals at their brand-new hangout spot, the Huanle Harbour
Photo by jeff_iks
Officially opened in 2011, Huanle Harbour or OH Bay, is where you’ll often find locals hanging out today. A sprawling seaside promenade that blends together a park, shopping mall, and futuristic architecture, Huanle Harbour is an all-in-one spot for anyone looking to unwind following a long day in Shenzhen.
The highlight of the harbour is the Bay Glory Ferris Wheel that features modern glass cabins for a bird’s eye view of the bay. At its peak, the pod-like cabins stand at 128 metres tall, making it a top-tier spot for those looking to capture the best of the Bao’an district and most of Shenzhen’s shimmering skyscrapers.
For those who can’t have enough of architecture, the Zhongshuge Bookstore is a must-see. Famous for its massive red staircase that spirals like a giant clockwork gear amid the magnificent bookshelves, it’s a magical experience that can’t be put into words.
Immerse yourself in teamLab’s Light Ball Orchestra
Photo by teamLab
If you’ve been travelling for a while, you’ll know that art galleries are a great way to immerse yourself in the local cultures. But unlike the typical “look but don’t touch” art galleries, teamLab’s Co-create Future Park is a multisensory world that brings together art and technology. As its name suggests, the focus at teamLab’s Shenzhen location is on co-creation. Located within the futuristic C-Future City in Zhongzhou Bay, this sprawling 5-storey exhibition is an open invitation for guests to closely interact with every element in the room.
In the “Light Ball Orchestra”, rolling the giant glowing spheres will cause them to change colour and sound, turning you into an unexpected maestro of the moment. Artistic adventures will also enjoy watching their sea creature sketches come to life at the “Painted Aquarium”, where the massive digital ocean on the wall projects guests’ masterpieces.
As a pro tip, we suggest wearing white or light-coloured clothing when visiting. This helps the intricate projections map perfectly onto your bodies, allowing you to capture the ultimate photo to reminisce on this trip, long after you’ve returned home.
Unwind to the sunset at the Shenzhen Bay Park
Beyond the neon-lit heights and digital galleries, however, Shenzhen is also known to feature some of the best greenery in the city. This is where Shenzhen Bay Park swoops in, allowing locals and visitors to catch their breath amid its 13-kilometre coastal promenade. Offering a panoramic front-row seat to the shimmering Hong Kong skylines just across the water, the park is a spectacular place to visit when you’re looking to escape the otherwise bustling Shenzhen.
With dedicated cycling paths surrounding the park, many visitors often opt to rent a bicycle and cruise along at dusk. You’ll also get to catch the Shenzhen Bay Bridge light up if you stay past sunset, while the nightly light shows from Nanshan district’s skyscrapers make for a magical experience altogether. If you’re visiting between November and March, do keep an eye out for thousands of migratory birds that flock to the mangrove wetlands. It’s a sight that offers a stark contrast to the futuristic towers behind you and is not to be missed as a part of your Shenzhen visit.
Step into history at the Gankeng Ancient Hakka Town
While the skyscrapers and other exciting architectures of the city centre represent Shenzhen’s future, the 350-year-old Gankeng Ancient Hakka Town is perhaps its heart from the past. Located in the Longgang District, this historic town is best known for preserving the Hakka culture and traditional architecture.
Sporting houses with grey-tiled roofs and wooden gates, walking down the narrow alleys often makes you feel like you’ve been transported into a movie scene that’s straight from Spirited Away. Today, most visitors see Gankeng Ancient Hakka Town as the perfect day-trip destination thanks to its eclectic mix of aesthetic cafes and boutique shops.
As the sun dips, the town comes alive with a stunning display of red lanterns with lights that gently flicker against the ancient canals. Whether you’re here to sample some freshly made Hunan-style stuffed tofu or simply want to marvel at the hanfu parade, the Gankeng Ancient Hakka Town is a lovely reminder that even modern cities like Shenzhen cherish their roots.
Where to go when you’re in Changsha
Experience Changsha from the 1980s at the Changsha Wenheyou
Have you ever imagined stepping into a 7-storey indoor recreation building and getting transported to a 1980s version of Changsha’s neighbourhoods? Well, that’s exactly what Changsha Wenheyou in the Hisense Plaza offers. From its weathered neon signs to tangled power lines and rusted balconies by design, visiting Changsha Wenheyou is more than just stepping into a restaurant but more akin to stepping into a scene straight out of a retro movie set.
What makes this spot even cooler is the indoor cable car that glides through the floors, giving you an interesting view of the “street” life below your feet. And while the atmosphere is pure nostalgia, the food at Changsha Wenheyou is just as legendary, with locals coming by for a taste of the signature spicy crawfish and stinky tofu. Just be prepared to join the queue or head to the 5th floor to capture some of the best pictures with a cyberpunk background.
Stroll down Changsha’s iconic Old Streets and Alleys
For those who want to understand Changsha from its heart, strolling down the city’s iconic old streets and alleys is an absolute must. The most popular of them all is definitely Taiping Old Street, where you’ll find nearly 380 meters of historic architecture and cultural spots. Boasting a fishbone layout, the well-preserved buildings are now home to modern cafes and cultural boutiques – a clear testament of how the past works with the present in tourism.
Photo by yang miao on Unsplash
Hungry visitors will also want to pop down Pozi Street, where endless queues for Changsha’s authentic stinky tofu and spicy sugar-oil rice cakes can be seen at all hours of the day. A haven for foodies who travel to eat, it’s the perfect place for anyone to wander around feeling lost and to soak in the raw, unapologetic energy that makes Changsha unique.
Escape the noise and tuck into a vegetarian feast at Kaifu Temple
But where will you go when the bustling streets of Changsha get too much to handle? Well, tucked away in the Kaifu District is the 1,000-year-old Kaifu Temple, a peaceful sanctuary that’s famous for its intricate Buddhist architecture and quiet courtyards. What few travellers realise, however, is that the temple grounds also house one of the city’s best culinary secrets: an authentic vegetarian restaurant that specialises in traditional temple cuisines.
Lovingly prepared in the on-ground kitchen, dishes here are known to transform fresh ingredients such as mushrooms, tofu, and root vegetables into dishes that look and taste like meat. From savoury “roast duck” to delicate “fish” fillets, the dishes at the restaurant are set to surprise. Accompanied by the sound of soft chanting from the nearby prayer halls, stopping by the Kaifu Temple for a meal may not sound like the most exciting addition to your Changsha trip, but it will definitely be one of the most unforgettable.
Watch the night come alive by the bank of the Xiang River
As twilight approaches, you’ll want to make your way down to Xiang River to catch the breathtaking light show that utilises the glass facades of the city’s skyscrapers. Complete with 3D animations of dragons and ancient poetry dancing across the canvas, it’s a stunning showcase that will complete any Changsha visit, be it for your first visit or tenth return.
Along the riverside promenade, street performers and families enjoying the cool breeze will line the path, leaving you with a glowing memory of Changsha before leaving the city. Just be sure to also look out from the promenade for a glimpse of Orange Isle, a key scenic spot where the sculpture of a young Mao Zedong can be seen. For visitors who want a closer look at the colossal monument, a quick metro ride on the Changsha Line 2 to the Juzizhou Station will take you there.
Go on a milk tea pilgrimage at Chayan Yuese
Finally, no visit to Changsha is complete without taking a sip of the signature Chayan Yuese or “Sexy Tea”. Found only in a handful of cities within China, this cult favourite offers unique milk tea flavours that are exclusive to the region.
Featuring drinks with refined, high-quality tea bases that are topped with their signature light cream, Chayan Yuese is more than just an aesthetic pitstop, but rather a labour of love in every cup. While long queues for a sip of tea from Chayan Yuese are often expected, though many see it as a part of the milk tea pilgrimage experience, with some even making return trips to Changsha just for another cup.
Want to explore Shenzhen and Changsha for yourself? With daily flights on Malaysia Airlines out of Kuala Lumpur, approaching the tech-driven marvels of Shenzhen and the fiery energy of Changsha has never felt closer. To sweeten your journey, you’ll even enjoy up to 30% off when you secure your tickets with Holiday Tours by the 31st of December 2026.