Lofty peaks invite us to discover their history. Today we explore Nam Shan. What makes Nam Shan special?
Nam Shan is in the heart of Shenzhen’s Nanshan District. This district is one of the nine that make up Shenzhen. Nanshan encompasses the southwest area of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. The population was about 1.08 million in 2022.
Before Shenzhen became what it is today, Nanshan was rural. It consisted of a few towns and villages. Nantou was the seat of Bao’an County. It remained so for almost 1700 years. Nantou sits within the boundaries of present-day Nanshan District.
In September 1983, Nantou was established. It became a county-level district. Shekou split from Nanshan less than a year later. Shekou became a separate district. In September 1990, the two districts merged. They formed the Nanshan District we know today.
Nanshan saw many migrants arrive from other parts of China. Original towns were often demolished. This made way for new developments. Some became urban villages.
Nanshan District has an area of 182 square kilometers. Large-scale land reclamation increased this area. This happened especially in Qianhai and Houhai. The district lies northwest of Deep Bay. It is east of the Pearl River entrance. Yangtaishan divides Nanshan from Baoan to the north. Inner Lingding Island and Dachan Island bound it to the south. Shekou Port marks the southernmost point on the peninsula.
Nanshan sits south of the Tropic of Cancer. This gives it a humid subtropical climate. It is directly north of Hong Kong’s Yuen Long district. More than half of Nanshan is urban. Tanglangshan and Yangtaishan are mountainous areas. Nanshan Park is also mountainous. These areas are preserved as forests.
Yangtaishan is the highest point in Nanshan. It rises 587 meters high. Tanglangshan is second at 430 meters. Nam Shan is third at 336 meters. Nanshan boasts a coastline of 55.18 kilometers.
Shekou was the first area in China to implement reform. It opened up to the outside world in 1979. Shekou Industrial Zone was established. This highlighted the era’s themes. Empty talk would lead the country astray. Hard work can rejuvenate the nation. Time is money. Efficiency equals life.
After the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping visited Nanshan. He investigated Qianhai and Tencent. For nearly 40 years, Nanshan has kept pace. It developed the National High-tech Zone. It fostered the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Demonstration Zone. Nanshan also built the Qianhai Shekou Pilot Free Trade Zone. It actively participates in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Today Nanshan thrives. It is a hub of innovation and economic activity. From Nam Shan you can reflect. Consider Nanshan’s transformation from rural villages to a modern metropolis. It is a testament to China’s reform and opening-up policy.