Videos / Shenzhen City Guide
Intermediate By Sarah Chen

Shenzhen City Guide

Learn about Shenzhen - China's innovative metropolis. Discover its history, culture, and modern lifestyle from an American perspective.

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What You’ll Learn

In this video lesson, you’ll explore Shenzhen, China’s most innovative and dynamic city. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone interested in understanding modern China from an American perspective.

Video Content Overview

Part 1: Introduction to Shenzhen

  1. 深圳是中国南部的一个现代化大都市。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn shì Zhōngguó nánbù de yí ge xiàndài huà dà dūshì.
    • English: Shenzhen is a modern metropolis in southern China.

  2. 它位于广东省，毗邻香港特别行政区。

    • Pinyin: Tā wèiyú Guǎngdōng Shěng, pí lín Xiānggǎng Tèbié xíngzhèng qū.
    • English: It is located in Guangdong Province, adjacent to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

  3. 深圳是中国改革开放的窗口城市。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn shì Zhōngguó gǎi gé kāifàng de chuāngkǒu chéngshì.
    • English: Shenzhen is known as the “Window of China’s Reform and Opening Up.”

Part 2: History and Development

  1. 1980年，深圳成为中国第一个经济特区。

    • Pinyin: Yī jiǔ bā líng nián, Shēnzhèn chéngwéi Zhōngguó dì yī ge jīngjì tèqū.
    • English: In 1980, Shenzhen became China’s first Special Economic Zone.

  2. 在短短40多年里，深圳从一个小渔村发展成国际化城市。

    • Pinyin: Zài duǎn duǎn sì shí duō nián lǐ, Shēnzhèn cóng yí ge xiǎo yúcūn fāzhǎn chéng guójì huà chéngshì.
    • English: In just over 40 years, Shenzhen transformed from a small fishing village into an international city.

  3. 深圳的GDP在中国城市中排名第三。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn de GDP zài Zhōngguó chéngshì zhōng páimíng dì sān.
    • English: Shenzhen’s GDP ranks third among Chinese cities.

Part 3: Technology and Innovation

  1. 这里是中国科技创新的中心之一。

    • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ shì Zhōngguó kējì chuàngxīn de zhōngxīn zhī yī.
    • English: This is one of China’s centers for technological innovation.

  2. 华为、腾讯等知名科技公司都在这里设立总部。

    • Pinyin: Huáwéi, Téngxùn děng zhīmíng kējì gōngsī dōu zài zhèlǐ shèlì zǒngbù.
    • English: Renowned tech companies like Huawei and Tencent have their headquarters here.

  3. 深圳拥有超过1700万人口。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn yōngyǒu chāoguò yī qiān qī bǎi wàn rénkǒu.
    • English: Shenzhen has a population of over 17 million.

  4. 这是一座非常年轻的城市，平均年龄不到35岁。

    • Pinyin: Zhè shì yí zuò fēicháng niánqīng de chéngshì, píngjūn niánlíng bú dào sānshíwǔ suì.
    • English: This is a very young city with an average age of under 35.

Part 4: Climate and Environment

  1. 深圳的气候温暖湿润，四季如春。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn de qìhòu wēnnuǎn shīrùn, sìjì rú chūn.
    • English: Shenzhen has a warm and humid climate, like spring all year round.

  2. 夏天炎热多雨，冬天温和宜人。

    • Pinyin: Xiàtiān yánrè duō yǔ, dōngtiān wēnhé yírén.
    • English: Summers are hot and rainy, while winters are mild and pleasant.

  3. 深圳的海岸线长达250公里。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn de hǎi’ànxiàn chángdá liǎng bǎi wǔshí gōnglǐ.
    • English: Shenzhen’s coastline stretches 250 kilometers.

  4. 这里有许多美丽的海滩和公园。

    • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ yǒu xǔduō měilì de hǎitān hé gōngyuán.
    • English: There are many beautiful beaches and parks here.

Part 5: Landmarks

  1. 深圳最著名的地标是平安金融中心。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn zuì zhùmíng de dìbiāo shì Píng’ān jīnróng zhōngxīn.
    • English: Shenzhen’s most famous landmark is the Ping An Finance Center.

  2. 它是中国第二高的摩天大楼。

    • Pinyin: Tā shì Zhōngguó dì èr gāo de mótiān dàlóu.
    • English: It is the second tallest skyscraper in China.

Part 6: Food Culture

  1. 深圳的美食文化非常丰富多样。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn de měishí wénhuà fēicháng fēngfù duōyàng.
    • English: Shenzhen’s food culture is very rich and diverse.

  2. 你可以品尝到来自全国各地的菜肴。

    • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ pǐncháng dào láizì quánguó gè dì de càiyáo.
    • English: You can taste dishes from all over China.

  3. 粤菜在这里尤为流行。

    • Pinyin: Yuècài zài zhèlǐ yóuwéi liúxíng.
    • English: Cantonese cuisine is particularly popular here.

Part 7: Shopping

  1. 深圳是一个购物天堂。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn shì yí ge gòuwù tiāntáng.
    • English: Shenzhen is a shopping paradise.

  2. 华强北是全球最大的电子产品市场之一。

    • Pinyin: Huáqiángběi shì quánqiú zuì dà de diànzǐ chǎnpǐn shìchǎng zhī yī.
    • English: Huaqiangbei is one of the world’s largest electronics markets.

  3. 这里有许多大型购物中心和商业街。

    • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ yǒu xǔduō dàxíng gòuwù zhōngxīn hé shāngyè jiē.
    • English: There are many large shopping malls and commercial streets here.

Part 8: Transportation

  1. 深圳的公共交通系统非常发达。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn de gōnggòng jiāotōng xìtǒng fēicháng fādá.
    • English: Shenzhen’s public transportation system is very developed.

  2. 地铁网络覆盖全市，出行非常方便。

    • Pinyin: Dìtiě wǎngluò fùgài quán shì, chūxíng fēicháng fāngbiàn.
    • English: The subway network covers the entire city, making travel very convenient.

Part 9: People and Culture

  1. 深圳是一个移民城市，人们来自全国各地。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn shì yí ge yímín chéngshì, rénmen láizì quánguó gè dì.
    • English: Shenzhen is a city of migrants, with people coming from all over China.

  2. 这里的人们讲普通话和各种方言。

    • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de rénmen jiǎng Pǔtōnghuà hé gè zhǒng fāngyán.
    • English: People here speak Mandarin and various dialects.

  3. 深圳人工作努力，充满创新精神。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn rén gōngzuò nǔlì, chōngmǎn chuàngxīn jīngshén.
    • English: Shenzhen people work hard and are full of innovative spirit.

  4. 这座城市充满了机遇和活力。

    • Pinyin: Zhè zuò chéngshì chōngmǎn le jīyù hé huólì.
    • English: This city is full of opportunities and vitality.

Part 10: Future Outlook

  1. 深圳正在努力建设成为国际化创新型城市。

    • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn zhèngzài nǔlì jiànshè chéngwéi guójì huà chuàngxīn xíng chéngshì.
    • English: Shenzhen is striving to become an international innovative city.

  2. 欢迎你来深圳旅游、学习或工作！

    • Pinyin: Huānyíng nǐ lái Shēnzhèn lǚyóu, xuéxí huò gōngzuò!
    • English: Welcome to Shenzhen for travel, study, or work!

American Perspective Notes

As an American visiting or moving to Shenzhen, here are some important things to know:

  • Business Culture: Shenzhen is a fast-paced business hub. Meetings often start on time and are very efficient.
  • Tech Scene: If you’re in tech, you’ll find a thriving ecosystem with many opportunities for collaboration.
  • Cost of Living: While cheaper than major US cities, Shenzhen is one of the more expensive cities in China.
  • Language: Most young people speak English, especially in business settings. Learning basic Mandarin will be very helpful.
  • Food: Americans will find familiar international cuisine alongside amazing local Chinese dishes.
  • Safety: Shenzhen is considered one of the safest major cities in the world.

Practice Tips

  1. Listen and Repeat: Click the audio buttons to hear native pronunciation, then repeat each sentence
  2. Shadowing Technique: Try to repeat the sentences while listening to the audio
  3. Learn Key Vocabulary: Focus on important words like 深圳 (Shēnzhèn - Shenzhen), 科技 (kējì - technology), 创新 (chuàngxīn - innovation)
  4. Use in Context: Practice talking about Shenzhen with friends or language partners

Cultural Notes

  • Nightlife: Shenzhen has a vibrant nightlife with many bars, clubs, and entertainment venues
  • Weekend Activities: Popular weekend activities include hiking, beach trips, and shopping
  • Festivals: Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration, with fireworks and family gatherings
  • Work Ethic: Shenzhen is known for its “996” work culture (working from 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week), though this is changing

Next Steps

After learning about Shenzhen, you can:

  • Learn more Chinese phrases for travel
  • Study business Chinese for work
  • Explore other Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai
  • Practice conversational Chinese

Additional Resources

  • Download our Shenzhen travel phrasebook
  • Try our interactive exercises for city vocabulary
  • Join our community discussion about living in China

Remember, learning about a city’s culture is an important part of learning its language. Enjoy your journey to understanding Shenzhen!