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Temples

A-Mi-To-Fo Temple

Introduction The “temple” is located in a children’s area of Dong Hu Park in eastern Shenzhen; the overall feeling is more like Disneyland than like a temple. The exterior of the building is meant to simulate a small hill, with the front door (above) being the opening to a cave. Inside, plaster has been used […]

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Temples

San Sheng Miao

Introduction It seems to have opened in Autumn of 2004. As it is in a public park, and I know that several of the temples in Shenzhen were municipal projects, I’m guessing this one was built by the city. One notable feature is that there is a pool or spring behind the main hall; local […]

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Temples

Chen Yang Hao Miao

Introduction Although this temple almost surely dates back to the Ming Dynasty, the current building was “renovated” (probably from the ground up) in 1994. It is now surrounded by high-rises in one of Shenzhen’s oldest and most prosperous villages. The temple is said to date back to the Ming Dynasty. It is known that the […]

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Temples

Foux Tibeten Lamasery

Introduction Though there are still travel restrictions on expats going to Tibet you can view a replica Tibetan Lamasery within the theme parks of Splendid China and The China Folk Culture Villages. Make sure when you visit these parks you learn about Tibetan culture. Getting There Address The China Folk Culture Villages and Splendid China Park […]

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Temples

Guan Gong Temple

Introduction This ancient temple is dedicated to a “historical” figure from the famous Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He is also a fierce warrior, and a guardian of Buddhist dharma; as such, he is often found in front of Buddhist temples. Here, however, the worship is not Buddhist, but rather “folk devotion.” The history of […]

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Temples

Tian Hou Temple

Introduction Dedicated to a Goddess of the Sea who is also the Empress of Heaven. The first temple was completed on this site in 1410. It is said that the famous admiral-eunuch Zheng He was commissioned by emperor Zhu Di to “sail west.” Reaching the Pearl River Delta near Chiwan, the fleet encountered a storm […]

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Temples

Hongfa Temple

Introduction The temple is built on a series of terraces. The first is a courtyard with the screen wall; next is the gate level, with shops and halls as well. Then the Heavenly Kings Hall with the Happy Buddha, with two surrounding halls. The fourth level has some kind of utility hall, but no worship […]

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Areas of Interest

Portofino

Introduction Shenzhen housing developments are often built around beautiful tropical gardens with luxurious club house amenities and one of the most famous of these is Portofino. It is built around a surprisingly attractive imitation of an Italian Piazzetta along a lake which has cafes, bars and restaurants without outdoor seating. Shenzhen’s best Cantonese restaurant chain, […]

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Historical Sites

Chiwan Left Fort

Introduction Chiwan was one of the prime defensive spots on the Pearl River . The Chiwan Fort was divided into two parts, the Left Fort and the Right Fort. Originally they had twelve gun positions but now only the Left Fort is in any reasonable degree of repair. Perched on Ying Zui Mountain, at over […]

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Historical Sites

Hakka Village and Hakka Culture Museum

Introduction Half of Shenzhen City was originally Hakka. This came about after the 17th century Kangxi Emperor depopulated the coastline to a depth of 30km as part of his campaign against Ming loyalists in Taiwan. When the coast was repopulated, the Hakka, descendants of 13th century immigrants from north China, were quicker. Relations between the […]