Shenzhen

Shenzhen, referred to as "Shen" and also known as "Pengcheng", is China's youngest first-tier city, a benchmark for reform and opening up, and a global highland for science, technology and industry. It has risen from a border fishing village to an international metropolis in more than 40 years, famous for its "Shenzhen Speed" and "City of Innovation".

Basic Overview

Location: Located in the southern part of Guangdong Province and on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary, adjacent to Hong Kong in the south, it is a core engine of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Administrative Divisions: 9 administrative districts (Futian, Luohu, Nanshan, Yantian, Bao'an, Longgang, Longhua, Pingshan, Guangming) plus the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone.

Area: About 1,997 square kilometers of land area.

Population: The permanent population at the end of 2024 was 17.9895 million, with actual management exceeding 24 million. The average age is about 33 years old, making it an immigrant city.

Positioning: China's Special Economic Zone, a sub-provincial city, a national innovative city, a global marine center city, and a pilot demonstration area for socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Historical Evolution

Pre-Qin to Ming and Qing Dynasties: Belonged to Nanhai Commandery, established Bao'an County in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and Xin'an County in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with coastal defense relics such as Dapeng Fortress and Nantou Ancient City.

Modern Times: Restored to Bao'an County in 1914.

Modern Rise: Established as Shenzhen City in 1979; set up the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in 1980; became a city with independent planning in 1988.

From a small fishing village with 30,000 people, its GDP has increased by more than 13,000 times in more than 40 years.

Economic Strength

GDP: 3.680187 trillion yuan, ranking third in China.

Pillar Industries: High and new technology, finance, modern logistics, cultural and creative industries.

Industry: The total output value and added value of industrial enterprises above designated size have ranked first in the country for three consecutive years.

Enterprises: Huawei, Tencent, BYD, DJI, ZTE, Mindray, etc.; more than 25,000 national high-tech enterprises.

Finance: Home to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Ping An, China Merchants Bank, etc., ranking among the world's leading financial centers.

Ports/Airports: Shenzhen Port is a global container hub; Bao'an International Airport is an international aviation hub.

Scientific and Technological Innovation

China's Silicon Valley: The number of PCT international patent applications has ranked first in China for many consecutive years.

Density: Yuehai Sub-district (about 14 square kilometers) gathers more than 100 listed companies.

Industrial Chain: Leading the world in electronic information, new energy, drones, robots, and biomedicine.

Carriers: Shenzhen High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Guangming Science City, Xili Lake International Science and Education City.

Urban Culture and Temperament

Openness and Inclusiveness: "Once you come, you are a Shenzhener". Mandarin is commonly used, and there is no xenophobia.

Spirit of Efficiency: "Time is money, efficiency is life".

Multiculturalism: Integration of immigrant culture, commercial culture, technological innovation culture, and coastal culture.

Culture and Sports: Shenzhen Reading Month, China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair, Shenzhen Marathon; Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, Universiade Center.

Tourism and Landmarks

1. Modern Landmarks

 Ping An Finance Center, standing at an impressive “599 meters”, is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Shenzhen and a landmark of modern urban architecture. Adjacent to it is “Chunsun, also known as China Resources Tower”, famous for its distinctive tapered shape resembling a bamboo shoot, embodying vitality and growth. Nearby lies the “Civic Center”, an iconic public building with a unique large-scale roof design that serves as a political, cultural, and civic hub of the city. These landmarks collectively anchor the “Futian CBD”, Shenzhen’s central business district, where high-rise offices, commercial complexes, and vibrant urban landscapes converge. Further west, “Qianhai Stone Park” offers a tranquil contrast, combining natural scenery, artistic stone installations, and waterfront views, showcasing the harmonious blend of nature and modern urban development in the Qianhai Cooperation Zone.

2. Theme Parks

Window of the World gathers miniature replicas of world-famous landmarks from every continent, allowing visitors to take a “global tour” in one day and appreciate the essence of global architecture and culture up close. Splendid China and Folk Culture Villages showcase the long history, magnificent scenery, and diverse ethnic customs of China, presenting traditional architecture, natural landscapes, and folk performances in exquisite detail. Happy Valley is a world-class theme park featuring thrilling rides, immersive shows, and seasonal themed events, making it a top destination for family fun and exciting adventures. Overseas Chinese Town East combines natural mountain scenery, tea gardens, themed towns, and leisure resorts, creating an ideal getaway for relaxing, sightseeing, and experiencing eco-friendly urban recreation. Happy Harbor is a vibrant waterfront commercial and entertainment complex, home to the iconic Bay Glory Ferris Wheel — one of the tallest Ferris wheels in Shenzhen, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the bay and city skyline as it slowly revolves. 

3. Shenzhen Bay Park

Shenzhen Bay Park stretches gracefully along the coastline, providing wide open spaces for walking, cycling, and enjoying sea views. Together with the adjacent “Mangrove Wetland”, it forms a precious ecological coastal zone, where lush mangrove forests shelter rich birdlife and create a peaceful natural sanctuary amid the bustling city. “Dameisha Beach” features broad golden sands and rolling waves, serving as a popular seaside resort for sunbathing, water sports, and coastal relaxation. Nearby, “Xiaomeisha” offers a quieter, more picturesque bay with clear waters and gentle shores, ideal for casual seaside leisure and family outings. Further east lies the magnificent “Dapeng Peninsula”, known for its rugged coastline, ancient villages, and unspoiled natural scenery, representing the most pristine coastal landscape in Shenzhen. Within the peninsula, “Dongchong and Xichong” are famous for their stunning bays, white sandy beaches, and hiking trails along the mountains and sea, attracting numerous outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers. For urban hikers and nature lovers, “Tanglang Mountain” offers convenient trails with panoramic views of the city, making it a perfect spot for casual climbing and exercise. “Yangtai Mountain”, with its higher peaks and lush forest trails, provides a more challenging hiking experience and sweeping vistas over Shenzhen’s urban and natural landscapes.

 4. Historical and Cultural Sites

Chung Ying Street is a unique historic street situated in Shatoujiao, Yantian District, on the border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. About 250 meters long and 3–4 meters wide, it is divided by boundary stones erected in 1899 under the Sino-British convention, with one side belonging to Shenzhen and the other to Hong Kong, embodying the iconic “One Street, Two Systems” feature.

Once a riverbed known as Lucijing, it evolved into a bustling cross-border commercial lane and a living witness to modern Chinese history. Today, it features well-preserved historical boundary markers, the Chung Ying Street History Museum, and a vibrant mix of shops. It is not only a popular destination for border sightseeing and cross-border shopping but also an important cultural site reflecting the region’s historical changes and the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”.

Ecological Livability

Park City: 1,320 parks, with a green coverage rate of 45.7%, known as the "City of a Thousand Parks".

Mountains and Seas Connected: More than 3,600 kilometers of greenways, integrating coastal and mountain ecological systems.

Public Services: More than 1,200 libraries, 65 museums, 24-hour bookstores and study spaces.

Transportation Hub

Ports: Luohu, Futian, Shenzhen Bay, Huanggang, Wenjindu, etc. The daily entry and exit between Shenzhen and Hong Kong exceeds 600,000 person-times.

Metro: 16 metro lines (2026), covering the whole city.

Railway: Shenzhen North Station, Futian Station, Shenzhen Station, with high-speed rail connecting the whole country.

Food Features

Mainly Cantonese cuisine: Guangming Pigeon, Shajing Oysters, Gongming Roast Goose, Hakka cuisine, Chaoshan cuisine.

Global Cuisine: Hunan cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Northeast cuisine, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Western food, coffee and tea, and snacks with fireworks in urban villages are fully covered.

Summary

Shenzhen is a city of reform, a capital of innovation, a land of immigrants, and a coastal garden — young, efficient, open and full of opportunities. It is not only a microcosm of China's reform and opening up, but also a global benchmark city facing the future.