Is Block H haunted by the ghosts of pirates? That’s a question I get asked a lot on this tour. Block H itself isn’t that old, but it stands in a city steeped in history. Shenzhen, and the area around Block H, boasts a past stretching back thousands of years. While Block H itself serves a modern civic purpose, the land it occupies has likely witnessed dramatic changes, from ancient settlements to bustling cityscapes. Imagine the stories these walls could tell if they could talk. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, two major cities thrived near here, Nantou and Dapeng. These cities weren’t built for beauty, but for protection against relentless pirate attacks. Nantou, situated strategically at the meeting point of two waterways, was a key stronghold in Guangdong’s coastal defense. Dapeng Fortress, evolving over 600 years, was a bulwark against Japanese pirates and invaders, so vital that the royal court constantly reinforced its garrison. Block H, in its modern form, represents a very different era. It’s a testament to Shenzhen’s transformation into a global powerhouse. But whispers of the past still echo. As you stand here, think of the clash of swords, the cries of battle, and the fear of pirate raids that once defined this land. Even in a modern hospital like Block H, the echoes of Shenzhen’s dramatic history can’t be completely silenced.
Sai Wan Shan
Considering a hike today? Sai Wan Shan is calling us. Sai Wan Shan is a hill within Sai Kung East