Well I ended up just making a day trip up to Shenzhen. I took the MTR from Central to Kowloon Tong, then took the KCR train up to Lo Wu. I was on a reverse commute so it was easy and immigration was a snap as I have a multi-entry visa. Shenzhen seems like most any other PRC city to me. Slums next to new high rises. I couldn't focus on much when outside as there is a record heat wave going on now. Brutal. The neighborhood where my meeting was held was completely devoid of westerners. We went to lunch at a decent restaurant where I got the star treatment. I guess not too many gweilos go there.