Hidden amidst the bustling cityscape, Tung Wan Shan beckons. Tung Wan Shan rises as a silent observer, a peak that has witnessed Shenzhen’s transformation. From its vantage point, one can almost glimpse the ghosts of Neolithic inhabitants, their presence marked by whispers from 6,700 years ago. Tung Wan Shan saw the rise of the Xia and Shang dynasties, the echoes of their reigns still lingering in the air. The Nanyue tribe, with their fishing nets and minimal cultivation, once called this area home. Their legacy is woven into the very fabric of Tung Wan Shan.
Tung Wan Shan watched as Emperor Qinshihuang unified China in 214 BC, merging Nanhai, Guilin, and Xiangjun. The emperor’s decree, relocating 500,000 people from central China, forever changed the cultural landscape. Tung Wan Shan absorbed the blend of northern and southern traditions. The mountain observed as Shenzhen flourished into a maritime trade hub during the Song Dynasty, its shores bustling with ships laden with salt and spices. Under the Yuan Dynasty, the pearl industry shimmered, adding a new layer of prosperity.
Through the Ming Dynasty, Tung Wan Shan saw the establishment of military bases, fortifications against encroaching threats. The Nantou Naval Base, a formidable force, protected the provincial capital. Tung Wan Shan stood firm, a silent guardian. In 1573, Xin’an county was born, encompassing modern-day Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Nantou, the county seat, became a vibrant center of commerce, trading salt, tea, spices, and rice. Tung Wan Shan oversaw the flow of goods and the exchange of ideas. As Imperial China crumbled, Xin’an County reverted to Bao’an County. Tung Wan Shan weathered the storm of change.
During the War of Resistance against Japan, the county government sought refuge in Dongguan County, leaving Nantou under occupation. Tung Wan Shan remained, a steadfast presence amidst the turmoil. In 1953, the Bao’an county seat shifted eastward to Shenzhen Township. The Guangzhou-Kowloon Railway, a symbol of progress, sliced through the landscape. Industry and commerce thrived, communities blossomed. Tung Wan Shan witnessed the birth of a modern city.
In 1979, Bao’an County was reborn as Shenzhen City. Tung Wan Shan saw the city rise to prominence, becoming a prefecture directly governed by the province. In 1980, Shenzhen was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone. Tung Wan Shan, once a quiet peak, now overlooked a city on the fast track to economic power. Tung Wan Shan has been a constant through centuries of change, a silent witness to the ebb and flow of history. As you stand here today, remember that you are standing on the shoulders of generations past, connected to a legacy that spans millennia. Tung Wan Shan, a timeless landmark, continues to watch over Shenzhen, its story intertwined with the city’s ever-evolving narrative.