Ma On Au

What a view from Ma On Au! Imagine standing here, atop this natural saddle, with the wind whipping around you. Ma On Au itself means “Horse Saddle Pass” in Cantonese, a fitting name for this geographical formation. It’s an extraordinary spot, isn’t it? Now, while Ma On Au itself doesn’t have recorded historical events tied to it, its location within Shenzhen tells a larger story. Shenzhen, the city surrounding us, was once a humble collection of fishing villages just a few decades ago. It’s hard to believe, looking at the sprawling metropolis below, but in the late 1970s, this area was mostly swamps and farmland. Can you picture it? Then, in 1980, everything changed. Shenzhen was designated China’s first Special Economic Zone, a testing ground for economic reforms. The city exploded. It grew from a few hundred thousand people to a megacity of over 12.5 million in just 40 years. That’s an astounding 50 times growth! This rapid development transformed the landscape. Shenzhen now boasts some of China’s tallest skyscrapers, like the Ping An IFC, the fourth tallest building in the world in 2018. Although we can’t see it from Ma On Au, it’s a testament to Shenzhen’s incredible growth. From this vantage point on Ma On Au, we see a different side of Shenzhen. We see the mountains, hills, and coastline that offer a natural escape from the urban hustle. Wutong Mountain, the second highest peak in the Pearl River Delta, is a popular spot for hiking and enjoying panoramic views. While Ma On Au may not have a history book of its own, its presence reminds us of the balance between nature and progress. It’s a place to reflect on the incredible transformation of Shenzhen, a city that went from mudflats to megacity in the blink of an eye. As you take in this breathtaking view, remember the spirit of Shenzhen. A spirit of innovation, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of progress.