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Oliver Dadema's 24-hour Shenzhen visit challenges his concerns about safety and daily travel in China. Coming from Hong Kong with a Dutch passport, he says the recent removal of visa fees made the trip possible. The border crossing is smooth and multilingual, and he is impressed by Shenzhen's cleanliness and modern infrastructure. He describes feeling safe despite the security cameras and shares practical difficulties, including not having Google Maps, needing cash and missing a train while working with unfamiliar apps. Oliver wants to return and explore more places suggested by viewers, and mentions his curated Google Maps list and 50 travel tips.
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More about the current video:(Published on 2024-09-08)
A short trip across the border
Oliver Dadema travels from Hong Kong to Shenzhen for a 24-hour visit after visa fees for his Dutch passport were removed. He describes the border crossing as smooth and efficient, with multilingual customs staff. The process changes his expectations and makes the city feel accessible for a short trip. Once in Shenzhen, he notices how clean the streets are and comments on the modern infrastructure, comparing his impression with Barcelona.
Oliver discusses safety openly. He sees security cameras throughout the city, but says he never feels unsafe and interprets them as part of the safety measures rather than a reason to feel watched. He describes local residents as friendly and his experience as overwhelmingly positive. The vlog presents his own reactions during a short stay, not a guarantee about every travel situation.
Navigation challenges and future plans
Some practical details are harder for Oliver. He struggles to navigate without Google Maps and notes that cash is useful because credit cards and Apple Pay may not be accepted as widely as he has experienced elsewhere in Asia. He also describes missing a train while learning unfamiliar apps. These moments add humor and realism to the trip, but do not outweigh his positive impression of Shenzhen.
Oliver invites viewers to share places they recommend in China and says he is keen to return to explore more regions. He refers to his curated Google Maps list for future planning and promotes his collection of 50 travel tips. He concludes by recommending China as a safe and enjoyable destination based on his experience. His vlog follows the short trip from border crossing through city exploration, including clean streets, friendly interactions, technology challenges and viewer ideas for another visit.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What surprised you most about the trip?
- A: Oliver was surprised by how clean Shenzhen was and how easy it was to cross customs. He also notes that the change in visa fees meant he did not need to pay a visa fee for this trip.
- Q: Did you feel safe in China?
- A: Yes. Oliver says he felt safe, even with cameras in public areas, and did not feel in danger or watched during his visit.
- Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced?
- A: Not having Google Maps and needing cash caused difficulties. Oliver also missed a train while using unfamiliar apps.
- Q: What advice would you give other foreigners traveling to China?
- A: Carry enough cash, and consider Alipay or WeChat Pay as alternatives. Oliver also encourages visitors to explore and plan for differences in navigation and payments.
- Q: Would you go back to China?
- A: Yes. Oliver says he enjoyed the people, food and culture and wants to see more of the country.
