In December 2004 the result of “Shenzhen’s top eight scenic spots” Evaluation Activity which lasted six months was unveiled. Dapeng Fortress, Lotus Hill, Overseas Chinese Town, Shennan Thoroughfare, Wutong Mountain, Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches, Zhongying Street and Yangtai Mountain stand out so brilliant as the top eight scenic spots out of the total 31 scenic spots, thus forming an integrated conglomerate of “Shenzhen’s top eight scenic spots”. This is the third selection of the urban landscape and scenes subsequent to the selection of “Top Eight Scenic Spots in Xin’an” in the Tongzhi Period of Qing Dynasty and the selection of “Shenzhen’s Top Ten Tourism Scenic Spots” in 1997.
Yangtai Mountain
It is located in Mt. Yangtai in Bao’an District with its main peak measuring 587.3 meters tall, blessed with plentiful rain and the agreeable climate, representing the headstream of the main streams and rivers of Shenzhen which is abundantly surrounded with the luxuriant trees and flowers with many different wildlife animals running along. At the foot of Mt. Yangtai is the residential area of Hakka people. During the Anti-Japanese War, Yangtaishan Guerilla saved the lives of several hundred Chinese and overseas cultural figures and patriotic democratic personages, particularly Mao Dun, Zou Taofen, He Xiangning, etc., and transferred them to safety and concealment in Yangtaishan District, thus Yangtaishan is well reputed as “Mountain of Heroes”.
Zhongying Street
Zhongying Street is located in Shatoujiao Town, Yantian District, Shenzhen City. The boundary tablet that was erected in the center of the street in 1898 with the inscription of “CHINESE BOUNDARY 1898 NO x ”, splitting the original Shatoujiao Town into two sections with the eastern part called Shaotoujiao of the Chinese Boundary and the western part called Shaotoujiao of the British Boundary, so it is also called “Zhongying Street”. UP to the present it still represents the sign of demarcation line of “one country, two systems”, so Zhongying Street is famous for its unique political and historical brilliance featuring “One Street, Two Systems”.
Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches
Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches are located on the side of Dapeng Bay of Shenzhen, Dameisha Bay is approximately 2000 meters wide while the Xiaomeisha Bay is approximately 800 meters wide, the sea sand is yellow and white with small particles, plain an soft as if a crescent moon were delicately embedded in the green mountains and the blue sea, highly reputed as “Oriental Hawaii” which is the favorite holiday destination attracting tourists for holiday, leisure and amusement and even surfing and fitness.
Wutong Mountain
The main peak of Wutong Mountain stands 944 meters tall, the first peak in the Pearl River Delta and “Heavenly Pond of Wuling Range”. Now there are Forest Park and Sport Park, constituting one of the best scenic spots for sightseeing while mounting up to the top of the mountain. Standing on the mountainside of Brave Man Slope, you can survey Hong Kong, Dapeng Bay, Yantian Port and Shatoujiao ushering in the early morning sun ray, where you are surrounded with the unrestrained and far-ranging seas and the skies with a carefree and joyous mind.
Shennan Thoroughfare
Shennan Avenue running through the downtown area of Shenzhen City is the busiest traffic road in Shenzhen, starting from Sanjiu Hotel along the Yanhe Crossing on the east to Nantou Inspection Station and it is an 8-lane dual carriageway with green belt sandwiched between the two neighboring lanes with a total length of 17.2 kilometers long. The essence of the buildings in Shenzhen stand brilliantly along both sides of Shennan Avenue with the most important tourism scenic spots and famous enterprises scattered along the avenue as well, so it showcases the street landscape with the high degree of modern features, rarely-seen in Mainland China.
Overseas Chinese Town
Overseas Chinese Town is located in Overseas Chinese City Landscape Area, including many theme parks such as “Splendid China”, “Chinese Folk Culture Village”. “Window of the World” and “Happy Valley”, highly integrating the traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese folk culture with the World cultural essences, presenting a perfect combination of the natural landscape with humanistic landscape and adopting the modern scientific and technological expressive means of sound, light and electricity, etc., coupled with the opera and song performances in the oriental “Broadway”, highlighting the combination of the quiescent and dynamic exercises and a variety of new styles and patterns, thus causing a great attraction to the audiences.
Lotus Hill
Even in ancient times, Lotus Hill got a Holy Name and was well reputed for its natural beauty and purity. Lotus Hill is located in the north side of the downtown area of Shenzhen City and derives such a name for its similarity to the lotus in shape. Lotus Hill covers a total area of 166 hectares, offering the largest expanse of public green space in the urban center. Lotus Hill is actually one of the most important municipal parks with abundant landscape and scenes with elegant and magnificent hills and waters around. Standing on the hilltop, you can appreciate a panorama view of the central area of the city.
Dapeng Fortress
Dapeng Fortress is located in the east side of Longgang District in Shenzhen City with its former full name as “Dapeng Military Fortress for Protection of Households in the Town”, which was built to fight against the invasion of the Japanese pirates, covering a total area of 110,000 square meters, initially built in 27 Year of Emperor Hongwu Period in the Ming Dynasty (or in 1394 ), which is at present the only key historical and cultural site under the protection of People’s Republic of China. During the period of Opium War, the “Zhenwei general Military Camp” of the famous general bravely fighting the British invaders, Guangdong navy prefect Lai Enjue and the “general Military Camp” of Fujian navy prefect Liu Qilong are most imposing with extraordinary brilliance and elegance. In September 1839 Lai Enjue directed his military men to win the victory in Jiulong Maritime Battle, thus starting the prelude of the Opium War. So this is an ideal place to worship the national martyrs and heroes, getting well informed of the history and appreciating the ancient styles and relics of the Qing Dynasty.