Each of Guangdong's SEZs has a border culture all its own. Both are tied to the cultures of their respective SARs. Which means both offer six degrees of separation and leisure.

Saturday Night Fever

Much like Hong Kong, Shenzhen's border culture is go-go. Every night is Saturday night fever. Knowing this, it's probably wise to book a place to unwind and chill.

Sure, you know the Shangri-La, the first pit-stop over the Luohu checkpoint. With rooms running between RMB 900-1,600 the Shangri-La is probably the most popular place for resting in the entire city. This might have something to do with the breakfast you can have delivered in the morning (RMB 178 for scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, cereal, croissants and coffee). Or, perhaps with their swingin' 360 lounge. You know, the one with the ads of the diva licking her plate clean. Regardless, in the 360 lounge the Martinis average RMB 98, so it's hard not to feel like James Bond while peering down at the border. Indeed, a popular hotel pastime is watching the sunset on the hills of Hong Kong, or so says 360 bar manager Hans Ou.

Another nice place to nest amidst Shenzhen's throbbing pulse is the Mission Hills Golf Club. Even if you don't know a nine-iron from a putter, Mission Hills offers relaxation in spades. From their 300,000 square meter Shenzhen Club, the Mission Hills Spa and Resort is where you'll want to turn for a Chinese medicinal rub-down, hot cupping (Ba Guan) or acupuncture (Zhen Fa).

New Moon on Monday

Of course, not everyone who enters Guangdong comes from Hong Kong. Some arrive in Macau from Southeast Asia.

Once over the border into Zhuhai, I suggest you head straight to the Imperial Hot Spring Resort. Why? Because it was the first, and is still the best Japanese style, open-air hot-spring in Guangdong Province. Amidst the palatial grounds here, garden pools enclosed with bamboo fences beckon. Chinese medicine is the focal point of their massage and bath treatments. Given their high-quality facilities and world-class sushi restaurant, weekends here can get crowded, so make sure to have a reservation. Better still, make a three-day weekend of it and linger through Monday.

For more Chinese medicine, you can make your way to the nearby Chinese Medicine Valley. As the moniker suggests, you can soak your tired bones in a medley of bubbling baths mixed with Chinese medicinal herbs. They also feature traditional massages and healthy meals, so it's hard to tear oneself away from the pleasures on offer. As a matter of fact, the same sensibility holds true for both of Guangdong's SEZs; they really are hard to leave. Perhaps that's another reason why we call them special.