Right here stands T Town South. It is a place where community and commerce intertwine. T Town South represents a modern shopping mall. Yet, the echoes of Hong Kong’s rich history resonate even here.
Before Shenzhen, before Hong Kong, there was Dongguan Prefecture. It covered the Pearl River Delta. This area stretched from Canton’s trading hub to the South China Sea. Nantou was Dongguan’s capital. Nantou was settled around 331 AD. Chinese migrants headed south. Nantou prospered from the salt trade. A naval base was built nearby in 736 during the Tang Dynasty.
Nantou’s layout today mirrors its design from 1394. The Ming Dynasty built walls around it. Nantou was China’s last outpost. It faced pirates and barbarians beyond. Admiral Zhang He supposedly stopped at Nantou’s Tin Hau Temple. He sought good luck for his voyage.
The 19th century brought change. Hong Kong became British after the First Opium War. The Kowloon-Canton Railway was constructed. Its first mainland stop was Shenzhen. It was 20 kilometers east of Nantou. Nantou lost its administrative role. It faded into obscurity. Early 20th-century photos show a dusty village with weathered houses. The shoreline, once its lifeblood, was reclaimed. Nantou became landlocked. It seemed an unwanted piece of history.
Shenzhen transformed rapidly after 1981. It became a Special Economic Zone or SEZ. Urban villages reminded people of older histories. People had been fishing and farming here for millennia. These villages were rural enclaves. Villagers replaced old houses with tenements. This accommodated migrants seeking work in Shenzhen. Nantou underwent similar changes.
Urban villages have shaped Shenzhen. They are accessible and open. In contrast, much of Shenzhen has vast boulevards. It also has gated housing. Urban village demolitions have left workers with fewer places to live. Nantou may become Shenzhen’s last urban village. Its history protects it.
The artist Yin Yilin marked the absence of hawkers. These merchants once filled Nantou’s streets. Nantou’s history may prevent demolition. However, it cannot stop gentrification. The village is becoming more upscale.
Nantou has survived 11 dynasties. It will likely survive this one too. Special Economic Zones in China boosted the economy. They increased human capital investment. Improved education resulted from it.
The special economic zone brought expertise. Technology and equipment were brought by foreign enterprises. Private firms benefited from cheaper labor. A business-friendly environment was created. Also robust infrastructure and China’s large market helped.
T Town South stands as a testament to progress. Yet, it remains connected to the past. As you explore T Town South, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. It has shaped not only this place. It also shaped Hong Kong and Shenzhen.