Archaeological research shows that aborigines started to occupy this area of land as early as 6,700 years ago in the Neolithic Age. Shenzhen, as a settlement, has a history of 1,673 years.
Ancient Baiyue Tribe (Prehistory –214 B.C.)
In the Xia and Shang dynasties, Shenzhen was a base for the ancient sea-faring Baiyue Tribe. Those who lived here were called the Nanyue Tribe, a southern branch of the Baiyue Tribe. They lived mainly by fishing with little land cultivation.
Qin Prefecture (214 B.C-331)
After Qinshihuang united China to become its first emperor, he set up, in 214 B.C., three prefectures — Nanhai, Guilin and Xiangjun — in the area encompassing Guangdong and Guangxi. He banished 500,000 people from central China to the southern areas to help development. Shenzhen was under the administration of Nanhai Prefecture at the time and was formally brought into China’s territory at that time.
Establishment of County (331-1573)
Shenzhen City historically derives from Bao’an County. In 331, in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Dongguan Prefecture was established to administer the six-county area that now covers Shenzhen, Dongguan and Hong Kong. The capital of the prefecture was located in Nantou, Bao’an County.
During the Song Dynasty, Shenzhen became an important hub for maritime trade in South China. It was also famous for its salt and spices. In the Yuan Dynasty, pearls were another famous product of the area. In 1394 of the Ming Dynasty, Dongguan and Dapeng military bases were set up in the Shenzhen area.
With a history going back more than 600 years, Nantou Ancient City was once a political center in the Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao area in the Qing Dynasty.
Xin’an Ancient Town (1573-1841)
Shenzhen was also called Xin’an County in times gone by.
In 1573, a new county named Xin’an was established in the territory of today’s Shenzhen and Hong Kong. This was accomplished by enlarging the Dongguan Military Base, with the county seat located in Nantou. Salt, tea, spices and rice were the backbone of the new county’s economy.
Cession of the Territory (1842-1898)
The Treaty of Nanjing, which was a treaty agreed upon by China and Britain, was signed on July 24, 1842. Hong Kong Island was occupied by the British. On Jan.11, 1860, the Kowloon Peninsula was ceded to the British under The Convention of Peking and on April 21, 1898, another treaty led the Qing Dynasty Government to lease the New Territories to Britain for 99 years. From that point on, 1,055.6 square kilometers were separated from the total 3,076 square kilometers of Xin’an County.
Name Resumption (1913-1979)
In 1913, Xin’an County resumed the name of Bao’an County with the county seat remaining in Nantou.
County Transfer (1938-1953) During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Nantou was occupied by Japanese troops and so the county government temporarily moved to Dongguan County.
In 1953, the Bao’an county seat moved eastward to Shenzhen Township, 10 kilometers from Nantou. As the Guangzhou-Kowloon Railway ran through Shenzhen, more people lived there and industry and commerce prospered.