“A gateway to dreams,” the old fisherman whispered, gesturing towards the Fengyi Paifang. “That’s what they call it.” The Fengyi Paifang stands before you, not just an arch, but a portal between the Shenzhen that was and the Shenzhen that is. Before 1980, this area, like much of what is now Shenzhen, was a collection of modest fishing villages, known as Bao’an. The Fengyi Paifang, though its exact construction date is shrouded in local lore, embodies that quiet past. Imagine the fishermen mending their nets, the scent of salt air mingling with the aroma of drying fish. Then, in 1980, everything changed. Deng Xiaoping, a pivotal figure in Chinese history, initiated reforms that reshaped the nation. Shenzhen was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone. This marked a turning point, a transition from tranquil village life to a bustling economic powerhouse. The Fengyi Paifang, a relic of the past, now stood as a silent witness to this transformation. The once-sleepy Bao’an, now Shenzhen, exploded in population and development. Factories, skyscrapers, and universities sprouted from the earth with what became known as “Shenzhen speed.” The Fengyi Paifang now serves as a poignant reminder of Shenzhen’s humble beginnings, a testament to the dramatic shift from fishing village to global metropolis. It stands as a gateway, not just to a different part of the city, but to a different era. It is a symbol of the city’s remarkable journey, a tangible link to its roots in a world that changed almost overnight.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to