Suddenly, the city’s pulse seems to slow as we approach the South Gate. This isn’t just an entrance. It’s a threshold to understanding Shenzhen’s layered past.
The South Gate whispers tales of a time before Shenzhen was a metropolis. Before skyscrapers pierced the clouds. Before it became known as China’s Silicon Valley.
Shenzhen’s story stretches back not just decades but millennia. Around 7,000 years ago primitive humans already lived here. They settled in Xiantouling, now Mirs Bay. These were Shenzhen’s earliest known inhabitants.
These early people were skilled. They crafted exquisite pottery. Imagine vessels unearthed here. Textured urns, precise and beautiful. Unglazed porcelain polished smooth. These weren’t just utilitarian objects. They were intricate decorations.
Fast forward through dynasties. Shenzhen’s strategic coastal location meant it was often at war. History books say the Yue people enjoyed war. Bronze spears and pitchers have been found here. They tell silent stories of conflict.
The development of folk science and technology was relatively advanced in Shenzhen. During the Shang Dynasty, cups with spouts were made. They allowed liquids to flow without spilling. Even everyday objects had a technical aspect.
By the Han Dynasty, the people of Shenzhen were using multiplication tables. Imagine children practicing math over 1,800 years ago. This brick engraved with a nine by nine multiplication table shows us that mathematics was developed and popular.
Shenzhen’s maritime industry flourished. Located by the ocean, its residents grew oysters, made salt, and harvested pearls. Salt production peaked during the Song Dynasty. Five salt fields were established. The Diefu Salt Farm produced 900 tons annually.
Oyster production dates back to the Jin Dynasty. The Jinkang oysters of Shajing were artificially cultivated. These oysters became well-known over centuries.
In 1394, during the Ming Dynasty, the city of Nantou was built. It was a strategic location for Guangdong’s coastal defense. Dapeng Fortress was built to defend against Japanese pirates. The royal court continually added troops. Historical records state that Dapeng was the best of all the coastal fortresses.
The Hakka culture also has a long history in Shenzhen. Castle-style compounds were built by the Hakka people during the Qing Dynasty. These dwellings had both defensive and residential functions. They reflect the characteristics of the Hakka immigrant culture.
Shenzhen wasn’t officially made a city until March 1979. Deng Xiaoping designated it the first special economic zone of China. This attracted foreign direct investment and migrants. The city’s economy and population boomed. It emerged as a hub for technology, international trade, and finance.
Now, standing here at the South Gate, consider the layers beneath our feet. From Neolithic settlements to a modern metropolis. The South Gate is more than just an entrance. It’s a point of reflection. A reminder that Shenzhen’s dynamism is rooted in centuries of history.