深圳Shenzhen, Chinese City: Its Dual Identity — Ancient Hakka Villages Meet Hyper-Modern Skyscrapers

Culture & History Overview

Shenzhen’s story is one of the most remarkable in modern history with the population of 18 million people. Before 1979, it was a small fishing village bordering Hong Kong. It was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 1980, becoming an “experimental field” for economic reform and the global market.

Now, Shenzhen manufactures 90% of the world electronics products, and is home to some of China’s most innovative companies and tech giants like DJI(大疆), Huawei(華為), and Tencent(騰訊). At the same time, Shenzhen has the highest GDP per capita of cities in China with 25,889 USD in from the data of Year 2021.

Its history can be divided into two main parts:

Ancient Roots: Despite its modern fame, the area has a long history, serving as the administrative center for Xin’an County(新安縣) for centuries. Evidence of this past can be found in well-preserved Hakka villages and Ming-era fortresses.
The “Shenzhen Speed”: The city’s primary cultural identity is now one of innovation, speed, and design. It is a technology hub and a vibrant, modern metropolis that attracts migrants from all over China and the world, giving it a unique, diverse, and forward-looking culture. It is officially designated as a UNESCO City of Design.

Shenzhen (1980) v.s. Shenzhen(2013) , source:https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/16t2q73/shenzhen_in_1980_vs_2013/?tl=zh-hans

Major Attractions

Shenzhen offers a blend of ultra-modern landmarks, unique cultural theme parks, and glimpses of its deeper heritage.

Transportation

Tourists can take either the high-speed railway from Hong Kong to the downtown area of Shenzhen, which is 13 mins and costs around 10 USD. Or, there is another way. Tourists can take the airplane to Shenzhen Baoan International Airport(SZX) and subseqently take the metro to the central city area.

Modern & City Landmarks

Ping An Finance Center (平安金融中心): One of the world’s tallest skyscrapers. The Cloud View Observation Deck on the 116th floor offers spectacular panoramic views of the city skyline, neighboring Hong Kong, and the Shenzhen Bay.

Source: Klook https://www.klook.com/zh-TW/activity/10507-ping-an-financial-center-in-shenzhen-guangdong/

Lianhua Hill Park (莲花山公园): A beautiful urban park famous for the bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping at the summit. It symbolizes the city’s reform and opening-up era and offers sweeping views of the central business district.
OCT-Loft (華僑城創意文化園): What was once an industrial area has been creatively repurposed into a trendy hub for contemporary art, design, music, and chic cafes. It’s a key spot for Shenzhen’s modern creative culture. More photos can be accessed here:https://medium.com/@fuenson/%E4%B8%80%E6%97%A5%E9%81%8A%E7%B3%BB%E5%88%97-%E6%96%87%E9%9D%92%E8%81%9A%E8%85%B3%E9%BB%9E-%E6%B7%B1%E5%9C%B3%E8%8F%AF%E5%83%91%E5%9F%8E%E5%89%B5%E6%84%8F%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96%E5%9C%92-oct-loft-d8093b71f689

Shenzhen Bay Park (深圳湾公园): A long, stunning waterfront promenade ideal for cycling, jogging, and enjoying the sea breeze and views across the bay.

Source: https://blog.udn.com/jyhhongteng/179935753

Culture & Heritage

Nantou Ancient City (南頭古城): Once the administrative center of Xin’an County, this historic walled town is a fascinating contrast to the surrounding modernity. It has been revitalized with new cafes, boutiques, and art spaces integrated into the ancient streets and traditional architecture.

source: 出地鐵站行5分鐘即到穿越深圳南頭古城一秒千年（附1日遊攻略），星島頭條
https://www.stheadline.com/local-topics/3321651/

Dapeng Fortress (大鵬所城): Located on the Dapeng Peninsula, this well-preserved 600-year-old Ming-Qing military fortress was vital for coastal defense. Exploring its ancient walls and general’s mansions offers a tangible connection to Shenzhen’s long history.

Dafen Oil Painting Village (大芬油畫村): A unique art community famous globally for its mass production and reproduction of oil paintings. It’s a lively place to observe artists at work and browse galleries.

Theme Parks (World Famous)

Shenzhen is also known for its ambitious theme parks that condense global culture and Chinese history:

Window of the World (世界之窗): A theme park featuring about 130 scaled-down replicas of the world’s most famous landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the Pyramids.
Splendid China Folk Village (錦繡中華民俗村): This park is divided into two sections: a Miniature Park featuring tiny replicas of 82 famous Chinese historical and scenic spots, and a Folk Culture Village where you can experience the traditional architecture, clothing, and performances of China’s 56 ethnic groups.

Figure 1-2: New Era Classic Show, 2019 Version—Oriental Dresses
China’s First Real War-horse Show with Special Effect: Legends of Desert. Source:CHINA TOURISM GROUP

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