Located at the southern coastal area of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen was the first Special Economic Zone created in 1980 as an experiment in controlled capitalism. Today, Shenzhen is one of the most important Chinese industrial centers, with an area of 2,021 square kilometers and a population approaching 10 million.

Shenzhen adjoins Dapeng Gulf in the east, the mouth of the Pearl River to the west, Wutong Mountain and Yangtai Mountain ranges to the north, and New Territory of Hong Kong to the south. Since the establishment of this Special Economic Zone, Shenzhen has made rapid economic progress. Its main industrial products include electronics, light industrial tools and machinery, textiles, garments, foodstuff, building materials, heavy machinery, and chemicals; over half this output is for export. Shenzhen has become China's major export production center. In some high-tech industries and products, such as magnetic heads for computer hard disk drives, Shenzhen's annual production accounts for 90% of China's entire production for this commodity. Over half the diskettes and telephones produced in China come from the Shenzhen area. Shenzhen has become an advanced, foreign-oriented industrial center that welcomes visitors and business professionals from across the globe.

Although known worldwide for its industrial strength, Shenzhen is endeavoring to become an established financial investment environment, much the way Shanghai has long been seen as a center for foreign and domestic financial enterprises. Shenzhen is seeking to attract more domestic and overseas financial institutions to set up branches or representative offices there. Over 50 Hong Kong and overseas stock companies have been engaged to act as sales agents or brokers for Shenzhen B-shares.

Shenzhen has eight commercial port areas with a daily freight-handling capacity of 30 million tons. Huanggang in Shenzhen is China's biggest portal for land distribution and freight hauling, while its convenient railroad, highway and air services continue to grow in capacity. As China's key foreign trade port, Shenzhen is accessible to the largest ocean-going freighters and container ships.

Although known for its industrial capacity and the position it enjoys as exemplifying the new face of Chinese economic might, Shenzhen is also home to major cultural and natural attractions.

Window of The World

Shenzhen's "Window of The World" is located at Overseas Chinese Town along the beautiful Shenzhen Bay, covering an area of 480,000sqm. More than 100 world-famous scenic spots (in miniature) comprise the park, along with many full-scale dance, art and related live attractions. When night falls, a cast of hundreds of artists from China and abroad take the same stage to present a spectacular night show and fantastic float parade. Unique and novel performances bring to life stories and folk tales from around the world. Truly, a spectacle not to be missed.

Splendid China

"Splendid China" is a miniature scenery park, which honors in all the famous historic sites and scenic spots of China. "Splendid China" is the largest of its kind in the world. Within the park, more than 80 miniature sites are arranged according to their positions within China. "Splendid China" focuses on all the many diverse types of Chinese architecture along with the living habits and conventions of the many different nationalities that make up China. "Splendid China" is set in a world of trees and flowers. Within the park, natural and artificial scenery are woven into an enchanting picture.

China Folk Cultural Village

"China Folk Cultural Village" adjoins Splendid China, and is the first large-scale cultural and scenic spot assembling folk arts, customs and folk villages. With an area of 200,000sqm, 24 villages, houses and streets built at full scale provide visitors with the unique chance to meet the many varied people of China in one convenient location. "China Folk Cultural Village" reflects China's colorful culture in many respects. Festival and folk dance performances, along with activities in the central playhouse, display Chinese folk arts incisively and vividly.

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Additional information on Shanghai:

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