“Mudflats to megacity!” That’s what they say about Shenzhen. Now, here we are at City Point. It is in Shenzhen, China. This city transformed in just 40 years.
City Point is in a place that was once all fishing towns and swamp. Shenzhen is now China’s seventh-biggest city. It serves as a main gateway for foreign travelers.
Shenzhen has a laid-back vibe. It is an excellent place for sightseeing. Trains and buses make travel inland easy. Shenzhen is China’s main electronics manufacturing hub. It is also the second financial capital. Shenzhen is China’s most affluent big city.
In 1980, Shenzhen gained special economic status. Since then, its population has exploded. It grew by 19.5 million people. In the late 1970s, only a few towns existed. They had several hundred thousand people.
Shenzhen now has about 12.5 million registered inhabitants. That was in 2018. Counting unregistered workers, the total population is 20 million. Shenzhen is part of the Guangzhou metroplex. This megacity has 44 million people. It includes Foshan and Dongguan.
Shenzhen has some of China’s tallest buildings. The Ping An IFC is one. It is the world’s fourth tallest building. That was in 2018. It is China’s second tallest. The observation deck is at 550 meters. The mall has restaurants and great views.
KK100 is another tall building. It is 4 kilometers away. It stands 442 meters tall. It is Shenzhen’s second tallest. From its observation deck, you can see the sea.
Shenzhen boasts popular parks and beaches. Outdoor places are top-rated by tourists. The city has mountains, hills, and beaches. Wutong Mountain is a great place to see the city.
Cantonese cuisine is a must-try in Shenzhen. Dim sum is great for midday snacks. For breakfast, try congee. It is a common local breakfast. As China’s melting pot, you can find many types of Chinese food.
Shenzhen is excellent for bargains. Head to the major markets for electronics. Huaqiangbei is the biggest and best electronics market in the world. The SEG computer market has 72 floors. The first eight floors are full of dealers. You can find everything from microchips to tablets.
Shenzhen has four popular theme parks. They are in the Huaqiaocheng area. Window of the World is one of them. These parks are not as grand as Hong Kong’s Ocean Park. Still, they are highly rated. Splendid China has replicas of famous places in China. It is part of China Folk Culture Village.
Autumn is the best time to visit Shenzhen. Summers can be hot and rainy. From September to December, the weather is mild and sunny. Typhoons are rare.
Shenzhen’s air quality is good. It is among the best of any large Chinese city. The city is along the coast. Pollution is worse in January and February.
Shenzhen is China’s richest city. Its per-capita income is about 26,000 USD. That is more than Guangzhou. Tens of thousands of foreign buyers source products here. It is China’s second most important financial center.
Shenzhen offers excellent transportation. It is the “Gateway to China.” The government upgrades transportation connections constantly. Shenzhen Baoan International Airport is the fifth busiest in China. There are eight subway lines. They cover 286 km.
Shenzhen grew from a small fishing village. It transformed into a city of 10 million in less than 30 years. China’s first Special Economic Zones opened in Shenzhen in 1979.
Many see Shenzhen as China’s most modern metropolis. It is cleaner and greener than most Chinese cities. Palms and banyan trees line the streets. Open space occupies 44 percent of the city.
Seven of the 75 tallest buildings are in Shenzhen. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange Building opened in 2013. Some call it China’s “miniskirt.”
From mudflats to a global benchmark, Shenzhen continues to evolve. City Point stands as a testament to this incredible journey. It reflects the city’s dynamic spirit and bright future.