SHENZHEN’s culture and tourism bureau rallied a group of business consultants and travel organisers to show the city’s blend of hi-tech and centuries-old heritage as China competes for international visitors.
The two-day tour hosted by the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality followed the ITE Hong Kong travel trade show.
The itinerary ranged from visits to the Ping An skyscraper, and Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, to the Ancient City of Nantou and the Hakka village of Gankeng.
New developments visited included the 128 metre high Bay Area Light Ferris Wheel and the Shekou Cruise Homeport.
Groups also gained an insight into Shenzhen as a model city for urban planning thanks to its establishment as China’s first Special Economic Zone 40 years ago. The city is now home to leading hi-tech companies such as Baidu, Tencent and EV manufacturer BYD.
Shenzhen is being promoted as the centre of the Greater Bay Area with road and sea access to Hong Kong and Macau. The links to Hong Kong also include two rail crossing in Futian and Luohu.
While Shenzhen is renowned for its modern architecture, city tourism chiefs also highlighted the area’s ancient heritage, natural surroundings and coastline with Great Wutong being the highest peak in Shenzhen and surfing beaches found in Dameisha.
The group also attended a conference followed by banquet at Sheraton Shenzhen Futian Hotel hosted by Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government with an address given by Zhang Hua, the vice-mayor of Shenzhen.
David Simpson says:
This is a great article, our clients have been asking for unique experiences in Shenzhen and The Greater Bay Area beyond tech and The Ancient City of Nantou and the Hakka village of Gankeng is a great resource thank you!