Article by Alecia Spencer
Shenzhen: A young, dynamic and tech-driven city
Shenzhen is a coastal city in southern China, just north of Hong Kong. Its location along the South China Sea, with low hills and a long shoreline, shapes the city’s layout and growth. Coastal walkways offer clear views of both the sea and the skyline. Shenzhen’s close connection to Hong Kong also supports strong business ties and easy travel between the two cities.
Shenzhen’s rapid development began in 1980 when the government established China’s first Special Economic Zone. This policy allowed businesses to operate with simpler regulations, lower taxes, and greater flexibility, attracting factories, investment, and new industries. Before this change, Shenzhen was a quiet border town with a smaller population. As the city expanded, people from many provinces moved here for work. Today, Shenzhen is known for having one of the youngest populations among China’s major cities. Some older neighborhoods still remain, offering a glimpse of what the area was like before the city transformed.
Shenzhen is best known for its strong technology industry. Major companies such as Tencent, Huawei and DJI all began here. Tencent created WeChat, which is used daily for communication, payments and many services. Huawei produces smartphones and telecom equipment, and DJI is a global leader in drones. These companies attract young engineers and designers, and many smaller businesses have formed around them to supply parts, software and repairs. Visitors often explore the newer tech districts to experience this modern side of the city.
Technology is a normal part of everyday life. People use WeChat Pay or Alipay for almost all payments, and the metro uses QR codes for entry. These systems are simple to use and help make travel and shopping straightforward. Delivery apps operate in every district and are used by both residents and tourists. Digital map apps such as Gaode Maps and Baidu Maps are commonly used to check bus routes, metro lines and walking directions.
Shenzhen’s layout reflects how quickly the city developed. The metro reaches most districts and continues to expand each year. Many stations connect directly to shopping centres or office buildings, reducing travel time and making it easy to get around the city. The road network is organised and structured because much of the city was planned and built in a short period of time.
Shenzhen has many parks that residents use for walking, exercise and daily activities. Lianhuashan Park and Shenzhen Bay Park are two of the most visited. The city also has several beaches on the eastern coast that people go to for swimming and relaxing.
As Shenzhen expanded, some older industrial areas were turned into cultural and creative neighbourhoods. These places now include cafés, small shops and art-related spaces that attract both residents and visitors. They show how the city has reused older sites in new ways.
Shenzhen also has well-known attractions that introduce visitors to both Chinese culture and international landmarks. Window of the World displays miniature versions of famous global sites, while Splendid China Folk Village highlights architecture, traditions and performances from different regions of China. These places are popular with visitors who want to explore many themes within one area.
The city offers a wide range of things to see, including coastal walkways, parks, viewpoints and cultural sites. Its mix of newer districts and older neighbourhoods gives visitors a balanced introduction to the city.
Shenzhen’s food scene reflects the diversity of its population. Cantonese dishes such as dim sum, rice noodle rolls and congee are common, and many other regional cuisines are easy to find. Most restaurants use QR code menus, which makes ordering simple. Shenzhen also has local dishes such as Gongming lai fen, which comes from the Gongming area in the north of the city.
Shenzhen plays a major role in China’s economy, with activity in technology, manufacturing, finance and shipping. It is home to one of the world’s largest stock exchanges, and its port is among the busiest globally. These industries support the city’s continued growth and position within China.
Development continues across Shenzhen. New commercial areas, technology hubs and residential districts appear each year, while older industrial zones are being rebuilt into modern neighbourhoods. The metro network also continues to expand, making travel within the city even easier.
Shenzhen’s identity comes from its coastal setting, its large migrant population and its role in China’s technology industry. The coast provides easy access to trade and other regions, and residents come from many different backgrounds and bring a wide range of skills that support the city’s rapid growth. Because of these factors, Shenzhen is often seen as a model of fast urban development in China and a major centre for technology and economic activity.
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