Hong Kong to Shenzhen Spa Day Trip: Tenz Spa Review

This might just be the best Hong Kong day trip for spa and massage lovers. Located in a 5-storey building across the border in Shenzhen, China, Tangqi.Tangquan Life TENZ Spa is the Tiktok-famous 24-hour spa that people are flocking to for their massage fix – not to mention the unlimited Häagen-Dazs ice cream and beverages, huge VR game section and plenty of chill-out space.

Whether you’re a tourist or living in Hong Kong, visiting Shenzhen for an easy spa day is a must-do if you’re looking to relax and let your hair down. Here is everything you need to know to plan a visit to TENZ Spa from Hong Kong, including how to get there, pricing and what to expect.

Important things to know before visiting Hong Kong and Shenzen

✈️ To get into Hong Kong you’ll first need to fly into Hong Kong International Airport. A cab from the airport to the city costs approximately HK$350-450 and typically takes less than 45 minutes/1 hour from door-to-door, or you can pre-book your private airport pick up or drop off here.

However, the best way to get to and from the airport is via the Airport Express train. Tickets can be purchased at the station and the train stops in Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island – it takes just 24 minutes from end to end. Want 20% off your Airport Express ticket? Buy your ticket ahead of time online here! Once you’ve purchased your ticket online, you can use the QR code that they send you to swipe through the special gates equipped with the QR reader.

🛂 Most visitors to Hong Kong do not require a visa for entry. See here for more details. However, you may need a visa to enter Shenzhen – most Hong Kong permanent residents can use their “Home Return Permit” card or “回鄉證”.

You may be eligible for visa-free entry into China for the purposes of tourism if you hold a passport from one of these countries, however China’s visa policies can change so make sure you double check before you go! If you require a China visa you can apply in person in Wan Chai, though it has been announced that the application process will move online as of mid-March 2025.

💱 The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar. Most places accept Visa or Mastercard, and I’d say 40-50% of places will also accept American Express. There are tons of ATM machines around Hong Kong, just make sure you’ve enabled international withdrawal or your card has the “Plus” or “Cirrus” logo on the back.

However, the currency used in Mainland China is the Chinese Renminbi. The exchange rate is approximately US$1 to 7 RMB, and e-payments are widely used. The best way to pay in China is to link your credit card to an Alipay or WeChat account.

📱 Buy a local SIM card. The easiest way to do that is via Klook – you can get a 7 day Hong Kong tourist SIM card and pick it up from the airport on arrival. This one includes 500MB of data for usage in Mainland China or Macau. But remember – Google services, Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp are blocked in China so you will need to use a VPN service if you want to access any of those apps. Make sure you subscribe to the VPN before you arrive in Shenzen as the majority of the VPN websites are also inaccessible from within the country.

🚗 Getting around Hong Kong is easy. Public transportation is efficient, cheap and clean, and the network is very extensive. Taxis are cheap as well if you are in a hurry.

One of the first things you have to do when you arrive in Hong Kong is get an Octopus card. It is a stored value card that works on all public transportation (but not in most taxis). You can purchase your tourist Octopus card in advance here – pick it up from the airport when you arrive, and it comes with HK$50 already pre-loaded. These days you can also use contactless payment with your Visa or Mastercard for the MTR subway or on double decker buses. The Octopus card is not accepted in Mainland China.

🌐 Language: The main language spoken in Hong Kong is Cantonese, a local dialect. Many people speak English (or at least basic English), and almost all signs are bilingual. The main language spoken in Shenzhen is Mandarin, though many people can also speak Cantonese. English comprehension is a work-in-progress in Shenzhen and most staff working at TENZ spa do not speak or understand English, though most signs and the spa menu are bilingual.

🛏️ Booking hotels in Hong Kong: Most visitors opt to book hotels on Hong Kong Island or on Kowloon side. Look into hotel in Wan Chai, Central, Soho, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay for maximum convenience!

There are some fantastic boutique hotels in Hong Kong: I’m a fan of The Fleming (a boutique hotel in Wan Chai which features Hong Kong-inspired design and décor); The Hari (a sophisticated hotel with functional, stylish rooms); Little Tai Hang (a modern, cozy hotel in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of Causeway Bay; Tuve (an industrial-chic boutique hotel in Causeway Bay); Ovolo Central (a funky homegrown hotel in the heart of Central); as well as The Murray (a luxury heritage hotel between Central and Admiralty, within walking distance of Hong Kong Park).

Traveling to Hong Kong for the first time? Click here for for the most iconic sights and must-see places to add to your Hong Kong itinerary!

🌤️ Hong Kong and Shenzhen can be extremely warm in the summer months from July to September, and very cold over the winter months from December to February. You’ll want to make sure that you avoid traveling around China during the Chinese New Year (typically in February but varies each year according to the lunar calendar), Labour Day weekend (May 1st) and Golden Week holiday during the first week of October each year. Traveling in China during these national holidays is guaranteed to be crowded.

Wondering how many days to spend in Hong Kong? For a first time visitor looking to visit the top attractions in Hong Kong I would recommend spending no fewer than 3-4 days in the city. If you plan on embarking on any Hong Kong day trips or exploring the city off the beaten track, plan to set aside anywhere from 5-10 days for your Hong Kong itinerary.

How to get to TENZ Spa in Shenzhen

TENZ Spa or 湯崎.湯泉生活 TENZ Spa (on Google Maps it is still listed under its old, pre-renovation name here) is popular as it is very modern, reasonably priced and easily reachable by public transportation from Hong Kong.

The easiest way to get to TENZ Spa is by taking the MTR East Rail Line (light blue) from either Admiralty or Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

The line splits after Sheung Shui, so make sure you hop on a train that is headed to Lok Ma Chau (not Lo Wu). The Lok Ma Chau station is directly connected to the Futian Port in Shenzhen, which is a 5-minute walk from TENZ Spa.

There are frequent trains to Lok Ma Chau (every 15 minutes or so throughout the day), and the journey will take approximately 1 hour. You can either take the “regular” carriage which will cost approximately HK$50, or you can validate your Octopus and take the “First Class” cabin which has more comfortable seating (around HK$100, or double the regular fare). If you do not properly validate your Octopus card you will be fined when the inspectors do a spot check.

Once you arrive in Lok Ma Chau, you will need to “exit” Hong Kong through Hong Kong immigration, and then enter China via China immigration. This is a relatively straightforward process and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. When we visited on a weekday lines were extremely short.

When you have cleared immigration and customs on the China side, simply exit the station, turn right and walk a few hundred metres to TENZ spa – it will take you no more than 5 minutes to get there on foot. Download this location on Google Maps before you leave Hong Kong (Google Maps does not work in China) if you’re unsure of where to go.

Prefer to travel by private car? If you are traveling as a group you might look into private transfers like this or this between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Where to stay in Hong Kong: You may want to check out TUVE (a small industrial-chic boutique hotel just next to Causeway Bay),  Little Tai Hang (a boutique hotel and serviced apartment complex tucked away from the hustle and bustle) or The Fleming (featuring Hong Kong-inspired décor and design in Wan Chai, close to the East Rail line/Exhibition Centre MTR station). For even more options click here to book accommodation in Hong Kong.

What to expect at TENZ spa

As soon as you arrive at TENZ Spa in Shenzhen you are greeted and led to the reception area where you have to show your identification (passport or ID card) and are given a beaded bracelet that has your unique spa ID number and QR code.

This is essentially your key to the palace as you will be asked for this number anytime you book a massage, meal or additional service. It is also your locker key so do not lose it! Everything will be billed at the end, so you don’t have to pay until you leave.

Ready to visit TENZ Spa in Shenzhen? You can pre-purchase combination packages here that include the entry fee (what they call the “Bath Ticket”), massage and play coupons (which covers video games, phantom VR, internet cafe usage, billiards, table tennis etc.) You can also walk-in – bookings are not necessary, but you will need to be able to pay at the end using a China debit/credit card, Alipay or WeChat.

Men and women are then led into separate changing rooms and given a set of spa pajamas, disposable underwear and slippers to wear inside. You can place all of your bags and shoes in the lockers provided. Within the changing room area (no pictures, sorry!) there are showers, saunas, treatment rooms as well as a wide range of amenities including hair dryers and curlers, toothbrushes, hair ties and even micellar water for makeup removal.

Once you have changed and are ready to explore, exit the changing room and head to the “entertainment area” where you will find the barista, all-you-can-drink beverages (barista beverages like coffee and bubble tea cost extra) and a huge buffet of fresh fruit.

Chill out in this beanbag area and check out the Himalayan salt room which is thought to have lots of benefits for skin and respiratory conditions and allergies, or pop into the cinema room where they play an array of Hollywood and Chinese cinema blockbusters throughout the day.

If you are feeling peckish and craving something more substantial, head downstairs to the 1st floor for the spa’s main restaurant. You simply scan the code on your table to load the food menu, and order your food directly online.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food – the fried turnip was exceptional, as was the stir-fried noodles. The portions are huge and the selection is incredible.

Ready for the main event? Take the elevator to the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors for the massage halls or private massage rooms. The massage hall is sprawling and filled with hundreds of lazy boy reclining sofas with built-in speakers and touchscreen TVs – there were lots of English-language movies available.

You can “select” your therapist from the on-screen menu – choose from either the “standard” or “professional”-level. To be honest I have no idea what the difference is, I assume that the “professional” therapists have slightly more experience. If you don’t want to choose from the screen simply let the attendant know which type of massage or treatment that you want, and the therapist will come to you.

Each massage or therapy is typically 45-minutes long and costs on average 200-240 RMB. For longer 90-minute full body treatments such as Japanese shiatsu or Thai classical massage you will be taken to a treatment room with massage beds. These massages cost anywhere from 400 RMB for a “standard” therapist to 700 RMB and up.

Tip: When we visited in March 2025, if you spent more than 500 RMB on massage treatment your entry fee (300 RMB for 8 hours) would be comped – essentially a “minimum spend”.

Board game rooms, video games, virtual reality games, karaoke booths, air hockey, snooker and ping pong tables are available at an extra cost. Don’t feel like leaving? They have overnight rooms that you can book as well, or slip into one of the private sleeping cubbies for a kip. Ready to visit TENZ Spa? You can purchase a combo package ahead of time here.

Tips for visiting TENZ Spa in Shenzhen

• For fewer crowds consider visiting on a weekday before 5 PM. We spent about 5 hours there which was plenty of time for 3 x 45-minute massages, lunch and a bit of a wander + plenty of snacks and ice cream.
• Set up your Alipay or WeChat payment before you visit for seamless payment.
• Pricing is very transparent and tips are not expected. However, some therapists may try to upsell you – for example, my friend was asked during a foot massage if she wanted a pedicure. This was then tacked on for double the price. In my experience, a simple no thank you was sufficient – the staff are all incredibly friendly and not pushy at all.
• If you are a female traveler preferring a female therapist make sure that you make this known when you book your treatment. If you are sensitive to cigarette smoke you should also ask for a non-smoking therapist – while they definitely do not smoke during the massage/treatment, my friends did experience therapists who had a strong cigarette smell on their hands and clothing.
• This spa doesn’t receive a huge number of non-Chinese speaking visitors, just something to be aware of if you can not communicate in Mandarin or Cantonese. You will need to rely on pointing to the treatment menu but you can definitely get by.
• If you are not planning on spending the night in Shenzhen it’s important to know that immigration does not run 24 hours a day. The Immigration Control Point at Lok Ma Chau runs from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. You also need to make sure you catch the last train back to Admiralty which departs from Lok Ma Chau at 10:55 PM.

Where to stay in Hong Kong: You may want to check out TUVE (a small industrial-chic boutique hotel just next to Causeway Bay),  Little Tai Hang (a boutique hotel and serviced apartment complex tucked away from the hustle and bustle) or The Fleming (featuring Hong Kong-inspired décor and design in Wan Chai, close to the East Rail line/Exhibition Centre MTR station). For even more options click here to book accommodation in Hong Kong.

Is it worth visiting TENZ Spa in Shenzhen?

There are a few of these all-day spa options in Shenzhen, but TENZ Spa is highly recommended because of the modern facilities, professionalism and cleanliness. I expected the cross-border travel to be a bit of a pain, but it was very hassle-free.

While you might think that people visit for the novelty factor, I actually think it was a very relaxing way to spend the day. It is cheaper than getting massage treatments in Hong Kong (and there isn’t even any mega-spa equivalent like TENZ Spa in Hong Kong), and is a fun day trip whether you are traveling to Shenzhen as a couple or with friends. I know I’ll definitely be taking my husband back with me next time!

The quality of the treatments and food was impressive for the price tag, and I especially appreciated that the pricing is transparent with no hidden charges. Tipping is typically not expected or required in Mainland China. I ended up spending about HK$1000 (US$130 or 120 Euros) including return travel in the first class MTR carriage.

Would you go on a Shenzhen spa day from Hong Kong?

Ready to book your trip to Hong Kong? Here are some family-friendly hotels in Hong Kong to consider: Little Tai Hang, a modern boutique hotel on the fringe of Causeway Bay, offers larger apartments with a kitchenette area with a microwave, fridge and toaster; The Murray offers extremely spacious rooms, an indoor pool, children’s play room and several on-site dining options in a stunning heritage building; and Island Shangri-La is in the heart of the city, conveniently located right above one of the best shopping malls in Hong Kong. Though the rooms are slightly more old-school they do offer an interconnecting room option as well as an outdoor pool. Here are some other tried-and-tested boutique hotels in Hong Kong for a unique city stay.

Visiting Hong Kong? Here are some insider guides you might find helpful:

• Visiting Hong Kong for the first time? Click here for my list of essential things to do for first time visitors to Hong Kong and important things to know before your trip
• Here are some important dos and don’ts in Hong Kong to know before your trip
• Looking for some off-the-beaten-path and unusual things to do in Hong Kong? Read my latest article here
• Venture beyond the main areas and head out on one of these Hong Kong day trips
• Foodies will love the culinary scene in Hong Kong. Here are some of my favorite Hong Kong restaurants

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