Who Is the Heart of Eastern Shenzhen?
This article is specially produced by Vanke·Longcheng Origin Plaza.
In 2020, the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone celebrated its 40th anniversary.
From an ordinary coastal county in southern China to an international metropolis, Shenzhen achieved this transformation in just 40 years. Today, Shenzhen is not only a city with a population exceeding 10 million but also one of the core areas of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Along with the city's overall development, Longgang District in eastern Shenzhen has also embarked on its own path of rise.
Covering an area of 388 square kilometers, it is the second-largest district in Shenzhen, occupying one-fifth of the city's total area.
With a permanent population of 2.5 million, it is one of the fastest-growing regions in Shenzhen.
In 2020, its GDP reached 474.449 billion yuan, comparable to the economic output of many prefecture-level cities.
It is also the top-ranked industrial district in China, a national demonstration zone for industry-city integration, a national ecological civilization construction demonstration zone, and the core of Shenzhen's future urban planning "Eastward Expansion" strategy.
Once a marginal area of Shenzhen, it is now the heart of the city's east.
Longgang is located in the northeast of Shenzhen, bordering Huizhou City and Dongguan City.
The terrain of Longgang slopes from north to south, with higher elevations in the north and lower in the south, dotted with numerous hills of varying sizes.
Situated south of the Tropic of Cancer and close to the sea, Longgang enjoys a warm and humid climate year-round, with abundant rainfall and an average of 140 rainy days per year.
The hilly terrain and plentiful rainfall create a landscape of intertwined mountains and dense rivers. The district is home to 62 rivers, which eventually flow into Shenzhen's three major water systems: the Longgang River, Shenzhen River, and Guanlan River.
The favorable climate and complex terrain support the growth of tropical and subtropical plants. Amid the bustling urban environment, Longgang boasts over a thousand ancient trees over a century old, extensive forests, and a greening rate exceeding 50%.
Among them are many unique and rare tree species.
Alsophila spinulosa, which existed as early as the dinosaur era, is a true "living fossil" in the plant kingdom. As a fern, it is highly sensitive to air quality and easily endangered by human interference. Yet, in Longgang, these plants thrive in many mountain streams.
Amentotaxus argotaenia is a gymnosperm unique to China and an endangered rare species. It also hides in Longgang's valleys. In late summer and early autumn, its bright red arils hang among green leaves, creating a striking and pleasing contrast.
In addition, precious tree species such as Schima superba, Bischofia javanica, Nauclea officinalis, and Pentaphylax euryoides are scattered throughout Longgang's dense forests.
To protect the city's precious greenery, Longgang has ingeniously transformed most of its hills into parks. By 2020, 194 parks of various sizes were established, preserving forest vegetation while serving as prime destinations for residents' leisure and recreation.
Longtan Park, located in the central area of Longgang City, is named after a natural pond within its grounds. Tropical plants like Ixora chinensis, Melastoma candidum, and Bougainvillea spectabilis bloom year-round, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a sea of flowers.
Longyuan Park, traversed by the Longgang River, is a park themed around "dragon culture." With its shaded trees and winding paths, it serves as a refreshing summer retreat.
The area also features Longcheng Park, Qiushui Mountain Park, Baxianling Park, Honghualing Park, Huilongpu Park, Zilinshan Park, and Wisdom Park, among others. The region boasts "community parks within 1 kilometer and municipal or suburban parks within 3 kilometers," offering rare tranquility amid the bustling city.
The优越的环境，似乎印证了龙岗名字的由来，“卧龙之岗”。
As early as the Neolithic Age 7,000 years ago, ancestors had settled near the coastal areas of Longgang, crafting tools and pottery from stone.
After the Qin dynasty unified China, the Lingnan region was divided into three commanderies. Longgang fell under the jurisdiction of Panyu County in the Nanhai Commandery, where northern immigrants coexisted with the local Yue people, marking the beginning of Longgang's historical "migration" activities.
Over time, Han people from the north migrated southward due to wars and other reasons, bringing Central Plains civilization to the south and fostering the unique Hakka culture.
From the Song and Yuan periods, Hakka people began migrating to Longgang. By the Ming dynasty, to protect locals from pirates and coastal raiders, the government established Dapeng Fortress in the eastern Dapeng Peninsula, making Longgang a hub for military and civilian gatherings.
In the early Qing dynasty, despite national unification, anti-Qing forces persisted along the southeastern coast. To sever ties between rebels and coastal residents, in 1661, the Qing government enforced the "Coastal Evacuation and Sea Ban" policy, forcing coastal inhabitants inland and prohibiting maritime activities.
This policy devastated coastal communities, including Longgang. The region's Xin'an County became nearly desolate until the ban was lifted in 1684.
Even after the ban's repeal, few original residents returned. It was the migration of Hakka people from Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi that revitalized Xin'an County.
The "Reclamation Period" allowed Hakka people to settle and thrive along Guangdong's coast, shaping Longgang's distinctive Hakka culture. Their history of migration and resilience fostered a cohesive agrarian and scholarly tradition.
In Longgang, Hakka culture evolved further, becoming more open and inclusive due to environmental and ideological shifts.
Longgang's Hakka people broke tradition by emphasizing commerce and social reform. While cultivating land, they also developed handicrafts and trade, laying the groundwork for Shenzhen's pioneering spirit.
Today, streets like Pingdi, Longgang, and Henggang retain numerous Hakka dwellings, weathered yet rich in historical and cultural significance.
Most surviving Hakka homes feature enclosed square layouts, with threshing yards and ponds in front and hills or gardens behind. Gatehouses adorned with wood carvings, couplets, and murals reflect Central Plains cultural influences.
Gankeng Old Fort, once home to the Xie and Zhang clans, derives its name from the sweet mountain streams nearby. Now a national-level cultural village, it's one of Longgang's "Ten Scenic Spots."
Xipu New Residence, originally the Li clan ancestral hall, is a classic Hakka walled village. Surrounded by modern high-rises and Metro Line 3, it exemplifies urban renewal and hosts the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Biennale.
Though few Hakka people live in walled villages today, they still gather for ancestral rites or Mazu celebrations, preserving traditional customs.
Within these quadrangular spaces, tradition and modernity collide and blend seamlessly.
In 1980, Shenzhen became a Special Economic Zone; on January 1, 1993, Longgang District was officially established.
In its early days, Longgang belonged to Shenzhen but was not part of the Special Economic Zone. At that time, Shenzhen was divided into "inside the gate" and "outside the gate" areas. The "inside the gate" region rose through finance and commerce, while Longgang, "outside the gate," developed its industry by attracting investments, with industrial parks sprouting up across the area.
To boost economic growth, the renowned "Henggang Model" was established in 1988 on this land, later evolving into the "Longgang Model": managing villagers' collective assets through a shareholding system at the village level, with dividends distributed by shares. This "shareholding cooperative system" began spreading to rural areas nationwide in the 1990s.
Longgang's transformation mirrors China's economic development. Electronics and telecommunications manufacturing, plastic products, textiles, and instrumentation gradually became pillar industries, marking the first major shift from its rural past.
Among the many factories and enterprises, a company called Huawei initially seemed unremarkable.
In 2002, Huawei moved here from Nanshan District. Through technological innovation, it grew from a startup focused on telephone switches into the world's largest telecom equipment manufacturer.
Like Huawei's rise, Longgang began its second transformation, shifting from labor-intensive industries to an "innovation hub" as the economy grew.
In the new era, the "Longgang Model" took on a fresh meaning: building a smart city, streamlining administrative approvals for businesses, and creating an efficient service platform with an "internet + government services" approach.
Today, Longgang is home not only to giants like Huawei and BYD Precision but also to rising stars like Royole Technology, Intellifusion, and BioLong. It has topped China's industrial district rankings for years, hosting over 1,800 national high-tech enterprises and filing more than 28,000 patent applications. With technological innovation, Longgang has become one of Shenzhen's fastest-growing regions.
Alongside industrial upgrading, Longgang seized another opportunity when Shenzhen successfully bid to host the 2011 Summer Universiade in 2007. As the main venue and athletes' village location, Longgang embarked on urban renewal.
2010 was a pivotal year for Longgang. The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone expanded to cover the entire city, ending Longgang's status as "outside the gate." That same year, Shenzhen Metro Line 3 opened, bringing the subway to Longgang's doorstep and ushering in a new era. Longgang stood ready to welcome the world's attention.
On August 12, 2011, the 26th Summer Universiade kicked off as scheduled. The youthful energy of the student-athletes complemented Longgang's vibrant spirit.
The Universiade left Longgang a lasting legacy. The Shenzhen Universiade Center became the city's first public cultural and sports park integrating events, performances, exhibitions, commerce, and entertainment.
It now serves as the home stadium for multiple teams and hosts numerous cultural and sports events. The national track and field and chess teams also train here.
As Longgang grew into Shenzhen's sports hub, it also emerged as a cultural powerhouse.
In Longgang's Buji Subdistrict lies Dafen Village, a 0.4-square-kilometer community known as "China's No. 1 Oil Painting Village." Over 12,000 painters and dealers gather here, producing annual exports exceeding 500 million yuan and capturing 60% of the global oil painting market.
Dafen Village revolutionized traditional oil painting, making this elite art form accessible to ordinary households.
Longgang's Wenbo Palace blends traditional crafts with modern commerce. As China's largest single-site antique and jewelry trading center, it also hosts the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair.
At the heart of Longgang, the "Shenzhen Red Cube" near the government complex integrates a science museum, youth center, and public art gallery (including an urban planning exhibit). These interconnected buildings enrich cultural life and position the area as Shenzhen's eastern "urban living room."
Transport upgrades have solidified Longgang's role as Shenzhen's gateway to the Greater Bay Area.
Shenzhen East Railway Station converges four rail lines here, while a "seven horizontal, six vertical" road network and Metro Lines 3 and 5 ensure seamless access. Longgang now reaches Shenzhen's airport, ports, and Hong Kong border crossings within 30 minutes.
Within the region, Longgang Avenue serves as the urban artery running north-south through Longgang. As a road with a long history, it has not only witnessed Longgang's development over the past three decades but has also become an iconic scenic boulevard in eastern Shenzhen.
Today, Longgang has transformed into a livable and business-friendly urban district, attracting hardworking individuals from all over to form a community of "new Hakka people." By 2019, Longgang's permanent population reached 2.5 million, making it the district with the highest population growth in Shenzhen. Thanks to its vast area, Longgang will accommodate even more newcomers in the future.
Alongside the development of Longgang District, Vanke Group has not only participated but also grown together with it.
With Vanke Group's involvement, Longgang Central City, located at the intersection of Longgang Avenue and Longcheng Avenue, has evolved over a decade into a high-end commercial hub, lifestyle center, and premium consumption plaza in eastern Shenzhen. Featuring over a dozen diverse commercial facilities, it has formed a thriving and mature business ecosystem. Today, Longgang Central City is not only the commercial and political heart of the district but also the starting point for Longgang's influence over eastern Guangdong and resource aggregation.
Having established deep roots in Longgang for years, Vanke has created a 1.4-million-square-meter urban complex integrating shopping, residential, business, and commercial streets. It brings together "life living rooms" such as Vanke Plaza, Vanke Li, and Vanke Tower, offering comprehensive coverage of dining, entertainment, and retail, making it the recognized lifestyle service center for Longgang residents.
As the culmination of a decade-long effort, "Vanke · Longcheng Origin" is located in the core commercial area of the complex, adjacent to the district government and surrounded by six major business districts. With the convenience of dual subway stations and a hub integrating rail, transport, and pedestrian networks, it will further propel Longgang's development and usher in a future of "central living."
Longgang is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary as a district. At thirty, a person is in their prime, and so is a city. As a frontier of innovation and the "eastern heart" of Shenzhen, the youthful Longgang is poised to unveil a new chapter.
The future Longgang will forge ahead relentlessly.