7 Quiet Places to Study or Co-work in Shenzhen

Book city
Book city | © Robert Scoble / Flickr
Sarah Karacs

Shenzhen is a great city if you want to savour China’s relentless energy and hustle and bustle. But finding a quiet spot to study might sometimes be a bit harder. But whether you’re revising for your mid terms on a study abroad programme, swatting up Mandarin characters for your Chinese primer or remote co-working on a project as a digital nomad, we’ve found the top places to get the focus you need.

1. 24 Hour Bookbar

Bookstore

Book city
(c) Forgemind Archimedia / Flickr
Shenzhen might have a reputation for being a hypermodern city with a burgeoning start up scene and it is incredibly science and technology orientated. But it also has a huge book reading culture. As well as a giant library in the heart of the city’s dazzling new CBD district, the city also boasts a bookstore that claims to be the world’s largest. Among the extensively stocked stores, catering to many of your literary and academic whims and needs is a 24 hour book bar. It’s a perfect place to pull an all nighter.

2. GEE Coffee

Coffee Shop, Chinese

Art hub OCT Loft has a lot offer visitors. With galleries and design stores amid quirky statues, graffiti and greenery, there’s plenty going on. Among the creative offerings are a number of high quality coffee shops to while away the hours with a book or else swot up for an upcoming exam. With quality coffee, decent food, and a chilled out atmosphere, this is good place to plan some up coming creative projects.

3. Old Heaven Books

Bookstore

Old Book Heaven
© Rose Symotiuk/ Flickr
Another gem tucked away in OCT Loft is Old Heaven Books, a curious space with an independent spirit, beloved among Shenzhen’s arty crowd. Collaborating with legendary livehouse B10, not only does the venue serve up coffee and boast a great book selection, it also puts on inspiring events. LPs, cassettes and jazz posters abound. It also has a covered outdoor area.

5. Nanshan Library

Library, University

While coffee shops can be great places to get work done in a leisurely atmosphere, sometimes you really need a place with no distractions. Popular among students at nearby Taoyuan and Shenzhen University, Nanshan Library is open 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. You’ll have to apply for membership if you want to take out books but everyone’s free to browse their extensive book collection. It’s a great place to really focus when a deadline’s approaching.

6. SimplyWork Co-working Space

Building

For those wanting to start a business and make use of the city’s burgeoning start up infrastructure, investing in a co-working space might be a good option. This space is in the heart of Shenzhen’s tech heavy, Nanshan district and features a number of amenities to help with getting work done efficiently and without unnecessary distractions. Run by a team of local entrepreneurs, it also has features zones to relax in and is open 24 hours a day.

7. SZ Team

Building, Library, Park

Shenzhen’s first co-working space SZ Team is another option worth exploring. It offers flexible memberships as per the needs of its members and is also open 24 hours a day. It’s conveniently located near Shenzhen library.

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