“Baishizhou blues,” they call it. Baishizhou is more than just a place. It is a feeling etched into Shenzhen’s very soul. Today we stand here where the heart of Baishizhou once beat so strongly.
Baishizhou is in Nanshan District. It was once Shenzhen’s largest urban village. Baishizhou covered only 0.23 square miles. Yet it housed an estimated 150,000 people. Some estimates suggest over 200,000 when unregistered residents were counted. This made it Shenzhen’s most densely populated area.
Baishizhou had been a haven for centuries. Immigrants and refugees sought shelter here. The village’s origins trace back to a Qing Dynasty settlement. It was called the Village of the Ten Thousand Families. In 1958 five villages merged creating Baishizhou.
The Shenzhen government developed land around Baishizhou. However it did not develop within the villages. This created a unique urban landscape. Charlie Lanyon described it as “one of the last vestiges of old Shenzhen”.
In 2014 the government announced redevelopment plans. Existing structures would be demolished. Baishizhou was to be reborn. Change came quickly.
Baishizhou was famous for its street food. The cuisine was inexpensive and excellent. People from all walks of life came here to eat.
Baishizhou station is a vital transportation hub. It connects Line 1 and Line 20. The station lies beneath Shennan Dadao and Shahe Road. It provides access to many parts of the city.
The Japanese weekend school Shenzhen Saturday School operated here. It held classes in the Jinsanjiao Building. This shows Baishizhou’s diverse community.
Demolition is a surreal process. Different sections of the village are at different stages. Some buildings are still occupied. Others have been replaced with worker dormitories.
The Baishizhou mural has been replaced. It is now a Shahe mural. This shows the area’s rebranding. Covid regulations were solid even during demolition.
Chen Chusheng once lived in Baishizhou. He became famous after living here. His song “Baishizhou” captured the area’s spirit. It sounded pastoral despite the bustling surroundings.
Baishizhou comprised four villages. These were Shangbaishi Xiabaishi Tangtou and Xintang. The name “Baishizhou” came from a historical mudflat. This lay south of Shennan Road.
The demolition of Baishizhou has created a new Baishizhou. It is a telling layout. It is also frankly distressing.
Baishizhou is undergoing restructuring. Affordable housing is disappearing. Young families are moving to other cities. Nantou faces similar issues. Sanitation workers are aging.
Baishizhou was once Shenzhen’s iconic urban village. The Village Hack residency program ran here. It taught about how Shenzheners were formed.
Baishizhou’s demolition marks the end of an era. It represents a significant shift in Shenzhen’s urban landscape. The memories and stories remain.
As we stand here let us remember Baishizhou. It was a vibrant community. It was a testament to Shenzhen’s ever-changing identity. It is a place that will never be forgotten.