Shenzhen 2011. China's superstar boomtown

[Pansori]

202.


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204. Shenzhen is hosting 2011 Universiade (University games) which will be taking place in August. It seems the event is highly important for the city and lots of preparation has been done


205. A huge LED screen mounted on a highrise building


206. Futian CBD


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208. A park nearby Shenzhen Civic Center circled by Shennan Avenue. Actually a very lovely place even if a little quiet


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210. Small architecture... a bench. Most would probably say it's a waste of money. And it is... if you look from a certain perspective but I found it so beautiful and lovely. Is it possible to evaluate that in monetary terms? What I found amazing in Shenzhen (and I would assume in other Chinese cities) was that despite standardized and what many call "boring" planning and urban surroundings (with which I politely disagree) it is quite easy to find that bit of extra coolness here and there. An extra step done to make the urban environment not only functional, clean and efficient but sometimes a little bit fun and glamorous just like in this small park


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[Pansori]

Continued with pictures from Futian

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215. This is how the area looks on the map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll...22724&t=h&z=16. On the left you see the U/C new Shenzhen Stock Exchange building designed by OMA which is run by the prominent Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas


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217. The surrounding area despite looking somewhat complete is still very much under construction


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[Pansori]

222. Shenzhen Civic Center. An impressive and very iconic building. A true low-rise landmark for the city. It looks, feels and is massive


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Kingey 100 tower is seen about 4.5km away to the East


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Decorative lighting

[Pansori]

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230. Skyscrapers of Futian CBD

[Pansori]

231.
New World Center, 238m tower, designed by SOM


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233. Fuzhong Road. One of the avenues crossing Futian CBD


234. A little accident. All of a suddent I heard a "bump". Seemingly a Toyota Corolla (cannot be seen in the photos) crashed into the... police car while it was standing near a red traffic light . The cops car slightly hit (or perhaps just touched) the Mercedes in front which was driven by a female driver (of course she must be the one to blame for everything ). It all looked a little funny because the situation was one where it was absolutely impossible to cause a traffic accident. But someone still did.


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236. Back to the park mentioned and shown previously. By that time I was totally exhausted and thirsty (there didn't seem to be any shops around). All I wanted was to have some rest.

[Tin_Can]

Damn,Shenzhen looks really good Even Chinese commieblocks have their unique coolness.

[Vecais Sakarnis]

Now this area I like better again Even don't really know why, just skyscrapers and highrises looks somehow more coherent in design here, not so chaotic.
Btw, 218, 220 and 230 - really cool pics. And Civic center -very impressive building.

[Pansori]

Shenzhen is actually a very green city. It certainly cannot be described as lacking greenery and green public spaces. It often "hides" the bland commieblocks and creates a nice feeling on the ground which otherwise would be too cold and boring.

Foor example, Vilnius is ofted described as a very green city (well, it actually is) and proportionally the land area covered by trees is probably much higher than in Shenzhen. But the main difference is that in Shenzhen it is all part of landscaping and not "natural" (=neglected) growth which means the greenery is all 100% integral part of public spaces and is accessible to everyone. So in reality you have more greenery around you than in the very same "very green" Vilnius where landscaping and general attention to greenery in public spaces is extremely poor.

I will post a few more photos from OCT area before nearing to the end with my Shenzhen thread. I think it must be one of the best examples of how an urban area can be almost 100% greenery integrated into the streetlife.

[Pansori]

237. Back to OCT. OCAT stands for OCT Contemporary Art Terminal. OCT is home to some contemporary art galleries and programs. Unfortunately this time I didn't have time to explore any of that but I surely will next time. It seems very interesting and certainly worth a look. Chinese art scene is booming and OCT seems to be at the center of the action



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240. Quite a bit of greenery all around


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[Pansori]

243.


244. There is some construction activity in OCT. Albeit not as massive and intense as elsewhere in Shenzhen


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246. A run down industrial estate... or is it? I looked through one of those little windows and inside there is a restaurant or something of the sort... all made in a contemporary minimalistic Scandinavian kind of design. Super cool.


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Same as in photo 246. This building seems to house some contemporary art studio/gallery or something of the sort


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[Pansori]

Some more views around the streets of OCT area

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253. OCT has lots of restaurants. They may not be visible due to dense greenery but here and there you'll notice an entrance to some dining facility. I didn't go to any but I would guess it's for those ho want to dine in some style outside of the main city areas


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257. Preparing for new construction

[Pansori]

258. On the opposite side of a busy road which is a boundary of OCT to the North


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260. OCT Hospital


261. A small monument to... graffiti


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This is all from OCT for now. I would highly recommend this area to anyone visiting Shenzhen and especially to those who like contemporary artistic atmosphere and good taste. OCT is an exemplary development of what fits into words of cool, stylish and chic. Well done to those who did it whoever they are.

Stįll some more photos to come including a few rather modest shots of Futian skyscrapers by night...

[Pansori]

We're nearing to the end...

Some night views in Futian CBD
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267. Next day morning. Only then I realised that electronics company Konka actually has its headquarters on the edge of OCT


268. Shenzhen Railway Station.CRH1 D7018 ready for departure. You also get a free bottle of water in the station


269. Ticket. To Guangzhou we're off



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271.View through the train window

[Pansori]

272. Inside the CRH1 carriage


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278. This is not even Shenzhen. To be honest I have no clue what city is this...


Unfortunately this is where it has to end... I will miss Shenzhen very much. It is an amazing city and a true showcase of China's progress and transformation that has been ongoing for the past 30 years. I will definitely be back to know this city a little better... perhaps sooner than later.

Thank you very much all who were interested and contributed with their commentary. I very much appreciate that.

Next: Guangzhou. The thread is in the pipeline...

[Þróndeimr]

Awesome thread, you certainly took many pictures despite your lack of time there! Was suppose to the the train to Guangzhou too, but due to a mass stamping in Guangzhou and bad weather no trains were running so i had to take the buss.

Btw, i managed to sneak pass security and to the top floor of New World Center which was at that time unoccupied, cool view from there!

[Pansori]

Originally Posted by Þróndeimr

Awesome thread, you certainly took many pictures despite your lack of time there! Was suppose to the the train to Guangzhou too, but due to a mass stamping in Guangzhou and bad weather no trains were running so i had to take the buss.

Btw, i managed to sneak pass security and to the top floor of New World Center which was at that time unoccupied, cool view from there!

Thanks! I really felt sorry I didn't stay there for at least another day. But my schedule was very tight and everything was pre-booked so I couldn't do nothing about it.

You say you sneaked past security? I don't know if it was just me but what I really loved in both Shenzhen and Guangzhou was that absolutely noone gave even a bit of f**k about me sticking my big camera where usually I would attract attention of security guards (in London for sure!). I even wandered into the busy construction site of Kingold Tower in Guangzhou and noone even looked at me... I wonder if it is always so easy to sneak into exciting places there without attracting anyone's attention?

[Þróndeimr]

Originally Posted by Pansori

You say you sneaked past security? I don't know if it was just me but what I really loved in both Shenzhen and Guangzhou was that absolutely noone gave even a bit of f**k about me sticking my big camera where usually I would attract attention of security guards (in London for sure!). I even wandered into the busy construction site of Kingold Tower in Guangzhou and noone even looked at me... I wonder if it is always so easy to sneak into exciting places there without attracting anyone's attention?

Might be because we're western and looks important, especially in Shenzhen where there aren't too many western tourist but many western businessmen!