Ever wondered where Shenzhen’s early history truly began? Forget the fishing village cliché. Let’s delve into the story of Shuen Wan.
Shuen Wan is more than just a bay. It is an area steeped in a history that stretches back centuries. While many associate Shenzhen’s rise with Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in 1978, Shuen Wan’s narrative existed long before.
Often, the narrative of Shenzhen focuses on its transformation. It went from a small village to a sprawling metropolis. However, such accounts often overlook the area’s rich past, a past still discernible in traces scattered throughout the modern city.
Before Shenzhen became the special economic zone, the area now known as Shenzhen was largely inhabited by Hakka and Cantonese people. Shenzhen becoming a special economic zone attracted people from different areas. These included Hunan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Henan. Most of these migrants lived in urban villages.
These villages are called chengzhongcun. One example of a chengzhongcun is Baishizhou in the Nanshan District. Shenzhen also has a large Korean population, based in Nanshan District and the Futian District.
Shenzhen was officially declared a city in March 1979.
The Shenzhen River, also known as the Sham Chun River, serves as the natural border between Hong Kong and Mainland China. It runs for 37 km and its source is at Wutong Mountain. Before Shenzhen became a city, Shenzhen was Bao’an County.
Today, Shuen Wan stands as a testament to Shenzhen’s layered history. It shows us that this dynamic city’s story extends far beyond its economic boom. Its cultural identity is tied to its connection to the land and its people. Shuen Wan embodies this spirit. It is a place where the echoes of the past resonate amidst the city’s modern tempo.