Nestled away from Shenzhen’s urban sprawl, Ngai Tau Teng peak offers a unique vantage point. Ngai Tau Teng is more than just a geographical feature. It’s a silent witness to Shenzhen’s transformation. This peak stands at 106 meters. It provides a different perspective on this dynamic city.
Have you ever wondered about the stories hidden in plain sight? Ngai Tau Teng holds connections to the wider history of the region. Consider the ancient walled city of Nantou. It is the origin of Shenzhen’s urban history. Nantou began with the establishment of Dongguan Commandery and Bao’an County in the year 331.
Emperor Cheng of Jin split the Nanhai Commandery into two parts. This created the Dongguan Commandery. Its government was located in Nantou. Xin’an County is the old name for Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Xin’an means “out with the old and in with the new”. It also means “to turn peril into safety.”
Nantou was the administrative center of the coastal Lingnan region for 2000 years. It was an important military town for coastal defense. It was a river and sea transportation stronghold. Nantou was also a center for foreign trade. That makes Nantou known as “the first commandery of East Guangdong and the origin of Hong Kong and Macau.”
The South Gate at the Walled City of Nantou was built over 600 years ago. It was constructed during the early Ming dynasty. The four characters “Ling Nan Zhong Zhen” are on the plaque above the city gate. Jin Wenmo inscribed them. He was a county magistrate in Xin’an County during the Kangxi Emperor’s reign in the Qing dynasty.
In 1573, the Ming dynasty government established Xin’an County. The county government was located in Nantou. Shenzhen became prosperous due to the salt industry. As early as 265, during the Three Kingdoms period, the position of Chief Commandant of Salt was established. A fortress was built here too.
There are over 40 archeological sites and culturally significant buildings in Nantou. They reflect Cantonese architectural style. There are influences of Hakka, Chaoshan, and Nanyang styles from different periods. The Dongguan Assembly Hall was the chamber of commerce for businessmen of the time in Dongguan County. Liang Jin’ao wrote the name in the middle of the hall. He witnessed the bustling scenes of Nantou during the Qing dynasty, in the Tongzhi period.
As “the first commandery of East Guangdong and the origin of Hong Kong and Macau,” Nantou was the administrative center of the historic coastal Lingnan region. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Nantou was the home of the county government. The Xin’an County Government Office witnessed many major historical events.
After the First Opium War, Hong Kong was removed from Xin’an County. The struggle between the British and Chinese to set a new boundary was intense. It became the front line of the Chinese national resistance against foreign invasion. The Xin’an County Government Office became the headquarters for many battles during the war.
So, as you stand here on Ngai Tau Teng, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. Consider the stories of Nantou and Xin’an County. Ngai Tau Teng offers more than just a view. It provides a connection to Shenzhen’s past.