Shenzhen Daily Life: Inside China’s Most Modern City

What this video shows

The host, Adrian Wan, was born in Shenzhen and spent most of his childhood there, and he returns to walk viewers through the city he calls China's most modern. He begins on metro line 11, which he describes as a special line, then exits at Gangxia North station into the heart of the Futian CBD. From there he moves through One Avenue, a long stretch of avenue linking four shopping malls and lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes. He points out the Ping An International Finance Center, the tallest building in Shenzhen and the fifth tallest in the world, before continuing on to Chegongmiao station.

At a glance

What stands out

The host's own history shapes the tour: he was born in Shenzhen and grew up there, but has since lived and worked in several cities around the world, and still ranks Shenzhen among his favorites. The city's reputation rests on a fast-developing economy and an innovation-driven culture, which is why it gets compared to Silicon Valley. The scale of the central district is the other striking element — a single avenue, One Avenue, ties together four separate shopping malls, and the skyline is anchored by a tower that ranks fifth tallest globally. Transit is the backbone of the day, with metro line 11 and the Gangxia North and Chegongmiao stations framing the route.