The Facts
There are regular flights from New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco to Shenzhen and Guangzhou. You can also fly to Hong Kong, and then take an hour-long train ride to Shenzhen, a two-hour train ride to Guangzhou, or an 80-minute ferry to Zhuhai. Travel to China requires a visa, which can be obtained in the United States or in Hong Kong. The turnaround time for a visa in Hong Kong can be less than a day if you're willing to pay a $75 surcharge.

Where to Stay
Shangri-La Hotel East Side, Railway Station, Jianshe Rd., Shenzhen; 800/942-5050 or 86-755/233-0888, fax 86-755/233-9878; doubles from $212. A large, modern hotel just beyond the Lo Wu border.
Sunshine Hotel 1 Jia Bin Rd., Shenzhen; 86-755/223-3888, fax 86-755/222-6719; doubles from $202. A standard-issue luxury hotel with a 16th-floor bar.
White Swan Hotel 1 Southern St., Shamian Island, Guangzhou; 86-20/8188-6968, fax 86-20/8186-1188; doubles from $160. Centrally located business hotel.
Yindo Hotel Yue Hai Rd., Zhuhai; 86-756/888-3388, fax 86-756/888-3311; doubles from $104. Zhuhai's fanciest, with an overload of white marble in the lobby.

Restaurants
Huxin Garden Restaurant No. 2 Huxia Bldg., Shenzhen; 86-755/223-3209; dinner for two $12. Recommended dishes: shredded pork with spicy bean sauce, spicy Sichuan-style tofu, fish-flavored pork shreds, sweet-and-sour fish.
Peach Blossom Restaurant Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou; 86-20/8333-8989, ext. 3315; dinner for two $18. Popular for dim sum and traditional Cantonese dishes.
Lijiang Seafood Restaurant 20 Xizheng Rd., Xican, Guangzhou; 86-20/8650-8789; dinner for two $24. A virtual zoo, with dinner still scurrying in cages and swimming in tanks when you arrive. Known for its yellowfish soup and long-neck clams.
Food Street Yindo Hotel, Yue Hai Rd., Zhuhai; 86-756/888-3388; dinner for two $8. A wide range of regional Chinese dishes.

Sights
Windows of the World Overseas Chinese Town, Shenzhen; 86-755/660-8000; admission $15. The wonders of the world, with rides and restaurants.
He Xiangning Art Gallery Overseas Chinese Town, Shenzhen; 86-755/660-5348, fax 86-755/660-5299.
Guangdong Museum of Art 38 Yan Yu Rd., Er Sha Island, Guangzhou; 86-20/8737-4468.

—Hal Lipper