Doesn’t the name Renshan Town sound charming? Today I will tell you the story of Renshan Town in Shenzhen. Renshan Town is more than just a name. It is a place with a story.
Shenzhen is in Guangdong province. It is a special economic zone. Shenzhen sits on the Pearl River estuary’s east bank. Shenzhen borders Hong Kong to the south. Dongguan is to its north and Huizhou to the northeast. Macau lies southwest of Shenzhen.
Renshan Town and Shenzhen have roots in Bao’an County. This county existed in imperial times. After the Opium Wars Britain occupied Bao’an County’s southern part. This area became British Hong Kong. Shenzhen village was near the border. Shenzhen transformed into a city in 1979. Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms in the 1980s made Shenzhen China’s first special economic zone. Its nearness to Hong Kong drew foreign investment and migrants.
Shenzhen’s population in 2020 was 17.5 million. It ranks as China’s third most populous city. Only Shanghai and Beijing have more residents. The Port of Shenzhen ranks as the world’s fourth busiest.
Locals called paddy field drains “Zhen”. Shenzhen got its name from a deep drain in the area. The oldest evidence of humans in Shenzhen dates to the mid Neolithic period. People have lived here for about 6700 years. About 1700 years ago historic counties appeared. Nantou and Dapeng towns were built over 600 years ago. The Hakka people have a history in Shenzhen too. They migrated here about 300 years ago.
In 214 BC Emperor Qin Shi Huang united China. The area became part of the Nanhai Commandery. This commandery was set up in Lingnan. In 331 AD the Eastern Jin split Nanhai. It formed a new Dongguan Commandery. Both the commandery and Bao’an County were around Nantou town. In 590 the Sui merged the region back into Nanhai. In 757 the Tang renamed the county Dongguan. Its seat moved to present day Dongguan city. A military garrison stayed behind.
During the Song dynasty Nantou became a trade hub for salt and spices. It was in the South China Sea. Later it became known for pearl production. This was during the Yuan dynasty. Ming sailors would pray at a Mazu temple in Chiwan. They prayed for safe travels to Southeast Asia.
To stop Ming loyalists the Qing resettled coastal residents inland. Bao’an County lost territory. It was incorporated into Dongguan in 1669. The British defeated the Qing in the Opium Wars. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula went to the British. In 1898 the Qing leased the New Territories to the United Kingdom for 99 years. Xin’an lost much of its territory to the British.
Residents rebelled against the Qing in 1911. The Kowloon Canton Railway opened. Shenzhen railway station was the last stop on the Chinese side. This boosted the town’s economy. Xin’an County was renamed Bao’an County in 1913.
During the Canton Hong Kong strike a reception station was set up in Shenzhen. Chen Jitang established casinos in Shenzhen in 1931. The largest was Shumchun Casino.
The Japanese occupied Shenzhen in World War II. The Bao’an County government moved. In 1941 the Japanese army tried to cross into Hong Kong. The British detonated the Lo Wu Bridge.
In 1953 the Bao’an County government moved to Shenzhen. It was closer to the railway. From the 1950s to the late 1970s many refugees fled to Hong Kong.
In 1979 Bao’an County was renamed Shenzhen. The city would have six districts. Shekou Industrial Zone was established.
In 1980 Shenzhen became China’s first special economic zone. This was part of Deng Xiaoping’s reforms. In 1981 Shenzhen became a sub provincial division.
In 1990 the Shenzhen Stock Exchange was established. In 1992 Shenzhen got the power to make local laws.
In 2010 the Shenzhen SEZ expanded. It included all districts. In 2019 the central government unveiled reform plans for Shenzhen.
Shenzhen’s climate is humid subtropical. Winters are mild. Summers are hot and humid. The annual rainfall is around 1933 mm.
Shenzhen has direct jurisdiction over nine districts and one new district.
As you explore Renshan Town remember its amazing journey. From a small part of Bao’an County to a vital part of modern Shenzhen, it is a testament to China’s rapid growth.