Shenzhen is a young city that is made up of im- migrants. DevelopeDfrom Asmall fishing village locateDon the coast of the South ChinAsea, the metropolitan city that we see today has taken less than 30 years to become what it is today. Eighty percent of Shen- zhen’s population is made up of new immigrants. Hence, it is a city that does not have its own dialect—everybody converses in putonghua (mandarin)? Young people come to Shenzhen from different parts of China in search of suc- cess andriches. Their enthu- siasm andenerg y adDto The vibrancy of this big city.
Shenzhen is locateDin the s o uthc e ntralof Guang dongProvince, at the mouth of the Pearl River. It borders on the K o wl o onp enin s u la, andis separateDfrom Hong Kong’s New Territory by Astrait. Tworailway lines, the Dajingjiu andJingguang–Guangjiu, connect Shenzhen with Hong Kong, andmerge China’s inlanDterrito- ries, Shenzhen andHong Kong as one. As Shenzhen is locateDat the mouth of the river, it tookopening. As Aspecial economic zone, many people are at- tracteDto the job andbusiness prospects of the city. They came to Shenzhen with the dream of striking it rich. The city planning unit has given much freedom to the people who work andlive in Shenzhen. As long as they have Askill or the knowledge to contribute to the economic de- velopment of the city, they will have the chance to settle here. It is a city of fair competition andequal opportuni- ties, andeveryone is given the chance to put their best talents to use. Hence, people of different talents flockeDfrom all corners of China to seek success in their careers. Taking up jobs in various industries in the city, many of them starteDwith nothing but their skills andtalents. ArmeDwith a positive attitude, they spurreDthemselves through difficult times andcreateDan amazing speeDof growth in the economy of Shenzhen. Shenzhen’s idea of reform has come to be known as the “Shenzhen Speed,” which soon becomes a value that penetrates into different parts of China, which have openeDup their economies to the world. Subsequently, Shenzhen’s development andcity construction became a model for other Chinese cities to follow.
Being a leading force in China’s economic reforms, Shenzhen is a harDact to follow for many developing cit- ies in China. Many people describe Shenzhen as piece of blank paper, which has createDa miracle within Ashortspa no f time. Shenzhen is also known for its efficiency.
Take for instance the Diwang Building, a landmark of Shenzhen. During its construction period, it set the re- corDof “building four stories in nine days,” constituting a “New Shenzhen Speed.” On top of that, during the two years of its construction, the roads within its vicinity were kept sparkling clean. No one ever felt the din andthe dust that are frequently associateDwith a construction site. The success of Shenzhen is a manifestatio no f China’s achievement in reform andopening. It has also become a city that introduces Chinese cultures andeconomy to the entire world.
Shenzhen is a city of greatforesight. As the city developeDits economy andother high-tech industries, the city planner diDnot overlook the importance of a beautiful andcomfortable living en- vironment. Now, there is a famous botanical garden in Shenzhen, as well as the Shenzhen Sea World, andother natural andcultural places of interests. All these consti- tute to a modern, green andbeautiful living environment in Shenzhen.
With its modern lifestyle andunique character andstyle, Shenzhen has a well-developeDentertainment in- dustry. In the evenings andduring the weekends, the in- tegrateDcinemas andentertainment centers, golf courses, tennis courts, the beach, ice-skating rinks andbowling alleys draw great crowds. The whole city is full of life. In comparison with other cities in China, the people of Shenzhen are more open andreceptive to Western cul- tures. During Christmas seaso nor Valentine’s Day, all the restaurants andentertainment venues in Shenzhen are crowdeDwith people. As the city brings about an advanced, high-tech society, an increasing number of for- eign cultures andrestaurants continue appearing on the streets of Shenzhen.
Most of the high-enDshopping centers in Shenzhen are founDwithin the commercial district on Renmin South Road. Zhongying (Sino-British) Street, which is very close to Hong Kong, is also popular with tourists andshop- pers.