Shenzhen, China

[hkskyline]

The checkpoint at Lok Ma Chau (called Futian on the Chinese side) is the less crowded way to get into China from Hong Kong, and is my preferable route. Once across the border, the subway line is just under the immigration building, although it doesn't go too far yet.

This line is now being run by Hong Kong's MTR. Even the logo is now inside the train.

The signage is also similar.

My objective is to tour the new skyscrapers of Futian district. Here's a map :

Emerging from the subway station ...

There were plenty of new skyscrapers in this part of town.

These twin towers look quite interesting. They're now my new favourite designs in Shenzhen!

This is the original logo of the Shenzhen subway system.

It was a very hot and sunny day, probably 33C or worse.

Notice the planning aspect - the skyscrapers are lined up.

While the buildings are new, the traditional fruit shop in a cart still exists below.

The landscaping is also quite well done. It's not building packed against building. There are actually manicured green spaces in between.

More construction ...

An interesting garden / open space graces this mall.

I'm not sure if this is part of the new high-speed link between Hong Kong and Guangzhou or just another subway line construction.

The streets are wide but thankfully not too congested.

A double-decker restaurant at the bus terminal.

 

[TrickyRicky]

hkskyline, it's been 13 years since I've been to Hong Kong or China so it must be a whole different world there now. When I see masterplans like the one posted I can't help but be reminded of Mississauga city centre. I get this sense that there is a utopian theme in contemporary chinese planning that champions sterility and order, perhaps as a reaction to the suffocating vibrancies of older high density urban environments. It's like the 50's and 60's in North America only using contemporary architecture and materials. I remember when a guy I worked with had his family over from China the things they believed to be modern and progressive were different and often the exact oppositive of my own views. What is your take?

 

[hkskyline]

^^ Shenzhen itself is a new city, and Futian is supposed to be the planned new financial district. While commercial buildings dominate a quadrant of this zone, residentials wrap around it, and a major shopping mall sits in the middle, so there are some people flows within this area after office hours. But generally, the streets are not busy at all. I think people appreciate some serenity and not have every street to be bustling and noisy. The quality of life is not bad at all in this part of town.


This part of Futian is an office park with buildings clustered around central squares with greenery. The concept is quite well thought out since office workers need some open areas to relax and perhaps eat lunch in the outdoors. However, in reality, there are way too many cars trying to park around the neighbourhood. To make things worse, piles of garbage awaiting pick-up wait along parts of streets.

The top of this building bears the name of a Hong Kong bank.

Many building heights in this part of town are uniform. This location clearly spells out city planning.

The English name is a bit redundant.

 

[JasonParis]

Great pics!

Someone's got a big mouth though!!!