Shenzhen districts offer parking perks for APEC green travel

Pedestrians walk past an APEC China 2026 floral display at Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square as the city prepares to host the APEC meetings later this month. Photos by Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

More than 1.2 million Shenzhen car owners had pledged as of last Friday to leave their vehicles at home during the upcoming APEC meetings, as four districts rolled out free parking and other incentives to encourage motorists to stay off the roads from Nov. 16 to 20.

Luohu, Nanshan, Futian and Longhua have announced incentives ranging from free parking to fee discounts and extensions of monthly parking passes. Eligibility and booking requirements vary.

Free parking in Luohu and Futian

Luohu is offering 3,190 free spaces at 50 parking facilities, while Futian has announced 2,776 spaces at 37 locations, including parks and commercial buildings.

Residents who have registered for the green travel initiative can reserve spaces through the "i罗湖" (iLuohu) or "i福田" (iFutian) WeChat mini-programs.

Applicants must complete identity verification, select an available parking facility and upload proof of their green travel registration. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

In Luohu, free parking is available from Nov. 16 to 20, with vehicles required to leave on Nov. 21.

Futian's free parking period runs from Nov. 15 through Nov. 21. Drivers are allowed only one entry and one exit during that period. Those who leave and return will be charged regular parking fees.

Many Futian shopping malls are offering parking vouchers and rewards to participating motorists. The malls set their own eligibility requirements, redemption procedures and limits on the number of rewards available.

A resident poses at an APEC-themed photo booth during a green travel promotion event in Shahao Community, Bao'an District. As of Nov. 6, more than 1.2 million Shenzhen car owners had signed up for the city's initiative to promote greener travel during the APEC meetings.

Discounts and free parking in Nanshan

Nanshan is offering incentives at 51 parking facilities covering 24,481 spaces.

Parking will be free at 28 facilities operated by State-owned enterprises and shareholding companies from Nov. 16 to 20.

Another 12 shareholding companies in Taoyuan Subdistrict will waive half a month's parking fees for eligible monthly pass holders who have registered for the green travel initiative. The discount will apply to December fees, or to 2027 fees for annual pass holders.

Two commercial parking facilities will offer a 20% discount, while nine others will provide two-hour free parking vouchers upon presentation of proof of green travel registration.

Residents can also scan the Smart Parking QR code to find participating parking facilities and check available discounts. Final offers and conditions are subject to notices posted at individual parking facilities.

Parking pass extensions in Longhua

Cars line a residential street in Longhua District. The district is offering parking incentives to encourage motorists to leave their vehicles at home during the APEC meetings from Nov. 16 to 20.

In Songyuanxia Community, Guanhu Subdistrict, drivers with valid monthly passes at urban village parking facilities can receive a five-day extension if their vehicles remain parked throughout Nov. 16-20.

The offer covers more than 2,200 parking spaces across residential, industrial and commercial properties.

Longhua is also encouraging electric bicycle owners to join the initiative. Residents can register through the "i龙华" (iLonghua) WeChat mini-program before midnight Nov. 16.

Those who register and voluntarily refrain from riding their electric bicycles from Nov. 16 to 20 will qualify for a 30% discount on electric bicycle insurance after the initiative ends.

Under the citywide green travel registration rules, each vehicle can be registered only once, and the declaration can be amended only once before the no-driving period begins. Motorists should check their preferred parking facility's requirements before making any changes.