Yantian, a coastal gem in east Shenzhen

From: Shenzhen Daily | Updated:2020-09-08

With a coastline stretching 19.5 kilometers, Yantian District is set against mountains and facing clear sea water. In the New Stone Age, there had been humans living in this area, according to archaeological discoveries in Dameisha. And Yantian, literally meaning “salt fields” in Chinese, was named due to salt fields cultivated in the year 971, according to local chronicles.

主图!!2020年6月 盐田新貌DJI_0160_副本.jpg

A bird’s-eye view of Yantian Port in this June photo. Photos by Sun Yuchen

When Shenzhen City was established in 1979, Yantian was governed by Luohu District and in 1998, Yantian District was established. Now, as an integral part of Shenzhen Port, Yantian Port has been ranked in first place among the “top 10 container terminals of Chinese ports” for many consecutive years, and its operation efficiency and comprehensive service capacity are at world-leading levels.

2020年8月 滨海栈道DJI_0306_副本.jpg

A bird’s-eye view of the Yantian Coastal Promenade in this August photo. 

The native residents of Yantian are mainly of Cantonese and Hakka heritage, who inherited many fishermen’s customs and lifestyles from their ancestors, such as worshipping the Sea God and other gods as well as performing superstitious rituals. As a State-level intangible cultural heritage, the fish lantern dance is a folk dance that was created by people in Shatoujiao in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In Yantian, visitors can enjoy not only coastal and mountainous sceneries but also folk art and cultural relics.

2019年9月 大梅沙海滩B79I2842_副本.jpg

2020年6月 壹海城综合体B79I3327_副本.jpg

2020年6盐田港DJI_0144_副本.jpg