What comes to mind when you think of Shenzhen? China's Silicon Valley? A miracle of skyscrapers and startups? For the 100+ foreign friends who joined the field tours of the 5th "Just Shenzhen, Just Young"Short Video Competition hosted by the Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation and supported by the Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal Committee—the answer is far richer. From spring to summer, they covered over 300 kilometers across all ten districts, cameras in hand, capturing a city that is more authentic, multidimensional, and open than any headline suggests.
"I've lived here for more than ten years, but every trip reveals something new," said Andrew, a British teacher and tour veteran. His sentiment echoed many: Shenzhen's many faces are finally being seen—not just as a tech hub, but as a living mosaic of innovation, nature, and heritage.
In Futian, they watched migratory birds rest beside gleaming CBD towers at the mangroves, and toured Honor's HQ and a fashion center. In Nanshan, they explored E-hub for youth innovation and an energy eco-park that turns waste into power. In Bao'an, advanced optical displays and laser tech impressed, while a statue of the patriot Wen Tianxiang by the shore revealed the city's centuries-old cultural depth. Here, technology and nature don't compete—they coexist.
Technology in Shenzhen is woven into daily life. In Longhua, a 2‑gram non‑invasive glucose monitor drew eager interest—a Moroccan visitor said, "I want one for my family." In Pingshan, an extreme‑fast‑charging battery for frigid climates won praise from a German influencer, who has experienced winter road trips in Northern China. In Longgang, the world's first AI and robotics stores let visitors try translation glasses and 3D printers. These experiences left expats amazed and eager to recommend Shenzhen to friends.
Yet Shenzhen's soul is not all futuristic. In Luohu, they heard stories of a fishing village turned affluent community, then sipped craft beer in a repurposed factory district. In Guangming, they moved from avant‑garde art at an international museum to serene farmlands. In Yantian, they strolled the 19.5‑km golden coastline, where a lighthouse library and a near‑zero‑carbon park stand side by side. At Longgang's Hakka enclaves, they learned of two centuries of warm hospitality. At Dapeng Fortress, a Ming‑dynasty garrison, tales of patriotic generals moved them. And in Nantou Ancient City, with 1,700‑year‑old alleys, they discovered intangible heritage and tea‑house chats—a cultural contrast to the sleek tech image.
Ten routes, ten distinct portraits. This cross‑cultural journey, captured through foreign lenses, tells the world a story of Shenzhen that is youthful, inclusive, and endlessly surprising—where the past and future walk hand in hand.
Source | Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation
