“Deep Drainage” a fitting name for Shenzhen. Locals call the drains Zhen. Today we explore Yung Kok in Shenzhen. This cape watches over the city. It has seen Shenzhen transform.
Yung Kok stands as a testament. It marks Shenzhen’s journey. From a small village to a global hub. Shenzhen became a city in 1979. Deng Xiaoping designated it as China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980. Foreign investment poured in. Migrants sought opportunities. Yung Kok witnessed this boom. The city’s population exploded. In 2020, it reached 17.5 million.
Before Shenzhen became a SEZ it was Bao’an County. The southern part became British Hong Kong. Shenzhen was right next to the border. In 1953 the Bao’an County government moved to Shenzhen. It was closer to the railway. It had a better economy.
Looking out from Yung Kok the Pearl River Delta glistens. Shenzhen borders Hong Kong to the south. It meets Huizhou to the north and northeast. Dongguan lies to the north and northwest. Over 160 rivers flow through Shenzhen. The city has 24 reservoirs.
Shenzhen’s climate is humid subtropical. Winters are mild and dry. Summers bring monsoons. Typhoons sometimes strike. The annual rainfall averages 1933 mm.
Let’s dive into Shenzhen’s politics. The city has a parallel party-government system. The CCP Committee Secretary outranks the Mayor. The NPC granted legislative powers to Shenzhen. It can make its own laws.
Corruption has touched Shenzhen. Several high-ranking officials were arrested. They faced charges of bribery. The city has nine districts and one New District. Shenzhen was originally Bao’an County with six districts. In 1979, the State Council dissolved the county.
Shenzhen’s economy thrives on four industries. These are high tech finance logistics and culture. It is known as China’s Silicon Valley. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange is a major platform. Shenzhen ranks as a global first-tier city.
Shenzhen is a hub for tech firms like Huawei and Tencent. It also focuses on finance. The financial industry contributes greatly to the city’s GDP. The Port of Shenzhen is one of the world’s busiest. Logistics is a key sector.
Tourism also grows in importance. Shenzhen has recreational areas. It has theme parks and tall buildings. The city has many hotels for visitors. Retail is a major part of Shenzhen’s economy. Huaqiang North is famous for electronics.
Before Shenzhen was a SEZ it was mostly Hakka and Cantonese people. Now migrants come from everywhere. Mandarin has become more common.
Skyscrapers define Shenzhen’s skyline. It ranks second globally in buildings over 150 meters. The Ping An Finance Centre is one of the tallest. Traditional Chinese architecture also exists. Hakka walled villages still stand.
Before the 1980s, education was limited. Shenzhen University was established in 1983. Now the city has many higher education options. Shenzhen has a great transport system. It uses metros buses and taxis. Shenzhen was the first major city to use only electric buses and taxis.
Cantonese cuisine is popular in Shenzhen. The city also has diverse food choices. Shenzhen has a vibrant nightlife. COCO Park is a central spot. Shenzhen has many parks and beaches. Lianhuashan Park features a statue of Deng Xiaoping. Shenzhen is working to protect its environment. It aims to build even more parks.
Yung Kok has watched all this. It stands as a symbol of Shenzhen’s journey. From a small village to a major global city.