Drains in paddy fields. That’s where the name Mong To Au comes from. Shenzhen was named after a deep drain. Locals called these drains Zhen. It was located within the area.
Let’s explore the Shenzhen area near Mong To Au. Shenzhen is in Guangdong province China. It is a special economic zone bordering Hong Kong. Shenzhen sits on the east bank of the Pearl River estuary.
In 2020 Shenzhen’s population was 17.5 million. It ranks as China’s third most populous city. Only Shanghai and Beijing have more people. Shenzhen is a major hub. It supports technology international trade and finance. Shenzhen’s port ranks as the world’s fourth busiest.
But how did Shenzhen become such a large economic power? In 1979 Shenzhen was a small village. It was next to the border with British Hong Kong. In 1980 Deng Xiaoping began economic reforms. Shenzhen became China’s first special economic zone. The city attracted foreign investment and migrants. People came searching for opportunity. Shenzhen’s economy and population exploded.
Today Shenzhen is a leading global technology hub. It is sometimes called China’s Silicon Valley. The city fosters innovation and competition. It is home to many software companies and manufacturers. Huawei Tencent and DJI are examples of Shenzhen tech giants.
Shenzhen has a younger population than most of China. Many residents migrated from other parts of China.
The history of Shenzhen goes back thousands of years. Humans lived here during the mid-Neolithic period. Historic counties were established 1700 years ago. About 600 years ago Nantou and Dapeng were built. They are now part of Shenzhen. The Hakka people have lived here for 300 years.
In 214 BC China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang ruled this area. It was part of the Nanhai Commandery. The area became part of Zhongyuan culture.
During the Song dynasty Nantou was a trade hub. Salt and spices flowed through here. Pearls became a major product during the Yuan dynasty. Ming dynasty sailors prayed at a Chiwan Mazu temple. They prayed for safe voyages to Southeast Asia.
After the Opium Wars the British occupied part of Bao’an County. It became British Hong Kong. Shenzhen was a village next to this border. In 1911 the Chinese section of the Kowloon Canton Railway opened. Shenzhen station was its last stop. This boosted the town’s economy. Shenzhen opened to the world.
During World War II the Japanese occupied Shenzhen. In 1953 the Bao’an County government moved to Shenzhen. The town was closer to the railway. Its economy was larger than Nantou. Shenzhen oversaw a huge influx of refugees. They were escaping upheaval in mainland China. They sought refuge in Hong Kong.
In 1979 Bao’an County changed its name to Shenzhen. This was approved by the State Council. Also in 1979 the Shekou Industrial Zone was established. It became China’s first export processing zone.
In 1980 Shenzhen was designated as China’s first special economic zone. Deng Xiaoping promoted this concept. The goal was to practice market capitalism under socialism.
Mong To Au is near this incredible city.