Shenzhen, despite its image as an ultra-modern metropolis full of skyscrapers, surprises visitors with its vast amount of green spaces. This is a city that in its rapid development has not forgotten the importance of nature for the quality of life of its residents. Shenzhen's parks are not only the lungs of the city, but are also a testament to its remarkable transformation and the place where one can best understand the phenomenon of the place.

Shenzhen Bay Park is one of the city's most impressive green spaces, stretching along the coast of Shenzhen Bay. This 13-kilometer green belt offers breathtaking views of the bay and Hong Kong across the water. The park was designed as a place where modernity meets nature - on one side you can admire the city's futuristic skyline, on the other enjoy the tranquility of the waterfront paths. Particularly popular is the bike path that runs throughout the park, used by locals and tourists alike. Interestingly, the park was only opened in 2011, which shows how quickly the city's recreational infrastructure is developing. In the evening, be sure to stop by the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, which is illuminated with colorful lights, creating a magical spectacle reflected in the waters of the bay.

Lianhuashan Park, often referred to as the 'Lungs of Shenzhen,' has a completely different character. This centrally located park covers an area of 150 hectares and is built around Lianhua Hill (Lotus Hill). The history of the site is fascinating - back in the 1980s it was a granite mining site, and today it is one of the most beautiful urban parks in China. At the top of the hill is a monumental 6-meter statue of Deng Xiaoping - the architect of China's economic reforms and the man who initiated Shenzhen's transformation. This vantage point offers a panoramic view of the entire city, allowing one to appreciate the scale and pace of its development. The park is particularly popular with kite-flying enthusiasts - at Fengzheng Square (Kite Square) on clear, windy days you can see dozens of colorful kites hovering over the city.

Lizhi Park, located in Futian District, is another green gem of Shenzhen. This park, whose name means 'Lychee Park' (after a popular fruit in the region), was established in 1983, when the city was just beginning its transformation. The 30-acre site features a picturesque lake, traditional Chinese-style pavilions and numerous walking paths among lush vegetation. The park is especially beautiful in spring, when the lychee trees and other tropical plants are in bloom. Interestingly, the park is home to a replica of the famous Qing Dynasty period bell, which, according to legend, brings good luck to those who touch it. Lizhi Park is also home to traditional Chinese activities, from morning tai chi to water calligraphy (writing with a brush soaked in water on the sidewalk) to group dances by senior citizens.

People's Park (People's Park) in Luohu District is one of the oldest parks in Shenzhen, established in 1983. This relatively small but charming park is prized by residents for its cozy atmosphere and rich cultural offerings. There is a stage in the central area that regularly hosts performances of traditional Cantonese opera and other cultural events. The park is also famous for its 'marriage market', where parents meet on weekends to exchange information about their unmarried children and find suitable partners for them. It's a fascinating insight into Chinese culture and traditions that have survived even in a modern city like Shenzhen. The park also has several ponds with lotus and koi fish, creating a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation.

Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park is the youngest of the parks described, having opened in 2004 after the International Garden Expo. This huge 660-acre complex is divided into themed zones showcasing various horticultural styles from around the world. Here you can find Chinese, Japanese, European or even African style gardens. Particularly impressive is the Flower Pavilion, where floral exhibitions are held throughout the year showcasing the most beautiful specimens from different parts of the world. The park is also home to the Bonsai Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of these miniature trees in China. Interestingly, the park was built on the site of a former landfill, an eloquent symbol of the transformation and environmental stewardship of modern Shenzhen.

Shenzhen, though a young city, has a rich cultural offering and sites that tell its history and showcase Chinese heritage in fascinating ways. These attractions allow one to understand not only the rapid transformation of the city itself, but also the broader context of China's transformation in recent decades.

Splendid China Folk Village is one of the most fascinating theme parks in Shenzhen, combining education with entertainment. Established in 1989, when the city was just beginning its transformation, the park consists of two main parts. The first, 'Splendid China Miniature Park,' contains more than 100 miniature replicas of China's most famous landmarks, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army. All miniatures have been made at 1:15 scale with extraordinary attention to detail. The second part, 'China Folk Culture Village,' presents the traditional architecture, customs and culture of China's 56 officially recognized ethnic groups. Here you can see reconstructions of traditional houses, villages and temples, as well as participate in demonstrations of folk dances, wedding ceremonies or traditional crafts. Particularly popular are the spectacular kung-fu shows and the annual festival during Chinese New Year. This place is a fascinating contrast to the ultra-modern face of Shenzhen and a reminder of China's rich cultural heritage.

Window of the World is another theme park that has become extremely popular with tourists and locals alike. Opened in 1994, the park contains some 130 replicas of the world's most famous monuments and architectural wonders at a scale of 1:3 or 1:15. Here you can 'visit' the Eiffel Tower, the Egyptian pyramids, the Taj Mahal or the Statue of Liberty in one walk. The park is divided into thematic zones representing different continents and regions of the world. In the evening there are impressive light and sound shows, as well as performances inspired by the cultures of different countries. Window of the World was established at a time when most of China's population did not have the opportunity to travel abroad, offering them a substitute for global attractions. Today, despite the fact that Chinese people travel much more, the park is still very popular as a place for entertainment and education. Interestingly, the park also features a replica of Mount Rushmore, which, instead of American presidents, depicts four people considered the most important in human history according to the Chinese perspective.

The Shenzhen Art Museum, established in 1995, is one of the most important centers of contemporary art in southern China. The museum is housed in an impressive building that is itself a work of architectural art. The collection includes both traditional Chinese art and contemporary works, with a special focus on artists from the Guangdong region. The museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions featuring works by artists from around the world. Of particular interest is a permanent exhibition on the transformation of Shenzhen, documenting through photographs, paintings and installations the city's remarkable metamorphosis from a fishing village into a metropolis. The museum is also active in educational activities, holding workshops, lectures and programs for children and young people. It is worth noting that Shenzhen has become an important center for contemporary art in China in recent years, attracting artists from all over the country thanks to its openness to experimentation and innovation.

The Shenzhen Revolutionary Martyr Monument is a site of special historical and symbolic significance. Erected in 1989, this impressive monument commemorates the revolutionaries who died during China's liberation struggle in the 20th century. The 29.7-meter-tall obelisk is located in the central part of the city and is surrounded by an extensive square where official state ceremonies are held. The monument is an example of Socialist Realist architecture, characteristic of Chinese monuments of the period. The plaza around the monument features bas-reliefs depicting scenes from China's revolutionary history. The site is an interesting contrast to the capitalist nature of modern Shenzhen and a reminder of the country's complex political history. For visitors, it is also a good opportunity to observe how China combines its communist ideology with a market economy.

Shenzhen Dananshan Reform and Opening Memorial Park is a relatively new attraction, opened in 2018 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China's economic reforms and opening-up policy. The park is located on Dananshan Hill and covers an area of about 30 hectares. The centerpiece is a monumental museum documenting the history of the reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping that led to Shenzhen's economic miracle. The exhibit includes photographs, documents, mock-ups and interactive displays showing how the city has changed over the years. The observation deck offers panoramic views of the Nanshan district and the bay, allowing visitors to appreciate the scale of the city's development. The park is also a place of patriotic education for Chinese youth, who come here on school trips to learn about the history of their country's economic success. For foreign tourists, it's a fascinating opportunity to understand how the Chinese view their recent history and the importance they attribute to Shenzhen's transformation.

Shenzhen is often referred to as a 'city without history,' which isn't entirely accurate, but reflects well on its unique character. Unlike most Chinese metropolises, such as Beijing or Xi'an, which can boast thousands of years of history, Shenzhen hardly existed on the map of China before 1980. What is today a metropolis of 15 million people, forty years ago was merely a collection of fishing villages with a population of about 30,000. This unprecedented transformation makes Shenzhen a fascinating case study of urban and economic development.

The story of Shenzhen really begins in 1979, when the city was elevated to prefecture status and a year later declared China's first Special Economic Zone. Deng Xiaoping, China's leader at the time, chose the site because of its strategic location right on the border with Hong Kong, which was then a British colony and one of Asia's most vibrant economic centers. The plan was simple but revolutionary - to create an experimental zone where the principles of a market economy could be tested without jeopardizing the entire Chinese economic system.

The results exceeded expectations. Within the first decade, the city grew more than a dozen times. The metropolitan area grew from 3 square kilometers to more than 2,000 square kilometers. An influx of foreign investment, mainly from Hong Kong and Taiwan, led to the rapid development of industry, first light and textile, and later electronics. At the same time, millions of migrants from all over China came to the city, seeking jobs and a better life. In the 1990s, Shenzhen entered a phase of capital-based development, climbing the lower and middle rungs of the global industrial chain.

Today, Shenzhen is home to a number of global tech giants such as Huawei, ZTE, Tencent (creator of WeChat) and DJI (the world's largest drone manufacturer). The city generates a per capita GDP eight times higher than the national average, making it one of the wealthiest cities in China. Shenzhen is also known as a center for innovation and startups, often referred to as 'China's Silicon Valley'. In 2019, the city filed more international patents than France or the United Kingdom.

However, this rapid transformation has not been without its problems. Rapid urbanization led to the creation of squalor districts and informal settlements, where living conditions were very difficult. The city has had to deal with the challenges of pollution, overburdened infrastructure and social inequality. In recent years, Shenzhen authorities have made significant efforts to transform the city into a more sustainable and livable metropolis, investing in public transportation, green spaces and social programs.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Shenzhen is its demographic structure. The average age of a resident is just 32, making it one of the youngest major cities in the world. More than 95% of the population are migrants or their children, creating a unique cosmopolitan atmosphere. Unlike traditional Chinese cities, Shenzhen is not dominated by a single ethnic group or dialect - all the major languages and dialects of China can be heard here.

This young, dynamic population has contributed to Shenzhen's unique urban culture, which is more open, entrepreneurial and forward-thinking than in many other Chinese cities. A local saying goes that 'in Beijing you talk about politics, in Shanghai you talk about money, and in Shenzhen you talk about dreams and innovation.' This atmosphere attracts creative people from all over China and beyond.

When visiting Shenzhen, it's worth remembering that almost everything you see has been built in the last 40 years. There are no ancient temples or imperial palaces here, but there is a living history of Chinese modernization and globalization. Every bit of the city tells the story of the remarkable transformation that has changed not only Shenzhen, but China as a whole.

Shenzhen's future promises to be as fascinating as its past. The city is now at the center of an ambitious development plan for the Greater Bay Area, which is expected to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong Province into a single megalopolis of 70 million people. Chinese authorities see Shenzhen as a model for the country's future development - innovative, green and focused on high quality of life.

For visitors, Shenzhen offers a unique opportunity to see the 'laboratory' of Chinese modernization. It's not only a place where you can admire impressive skyscrapers and shop in luxurious malls, but also a space where you can understand how China has transformed itself from a poor agricultural country into the world's second largest economy. Whether you're interested in technology, urban planning, economics or simply enjoy observing bustling cities, Shenzhen is sure to make an indelible impression on you.