The People’s Republic of China is home to some of the best known landmarks in the world. From the iconic Tiananmen Square to the mysterious Forbidden City, these structures attract countless numbers of tourists each year. However, most tourists tend to visit either Beijing or Shanghai and thus miss out on what the rest of the country has to offer.
Travellers who want to go off the beaten track can try visiting the city of Shenzhen, in China’s Guangdong Province. It is situated just to the north of Hong Kong and is home to numerous attractions such as the Chinese Folk Culture Village, the Safari Park, Splendid China, Happy Valley, and the Window of the World. Those visiting Shenzhen might as well take a quick detour to the nearby Dapeng Fortress.
The Dapeng Fortress (called the Dapengsuocheng by the locals) is a large village completely surrounded by a wall. The village lies some fifty five kilometres from the heart of Shenzhen. The fortress was originally constructed in 1394 to serve as a defensive structure against pirates. However, it soon evolved into a town and underwent great periods of growth especially during the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty.
While the fortress has had a long and colourful history, the most famous incident to occur here took place in 1571, when it was besieged by Japanese pirates for more than forty days. The town was able to successfully repel the attack, thanks mostly to the fortified walls. In 2001, the fortress was finally put under the state’s protection and great effort has been taken to preserve the ancient structure. Tourists visiting Shenzhen should definitely try to stop by if time permits.
As one of the most developed cities in China, Shenzhen is a great place to visit. Infrastructure such as public transports is very good and accommodation is easy to find. Shenzhen serviced residence, like the Somerset Garden City Shenzhen, is a good option for tourists planning on spending a long time on vacation here. TheShenzhen serviced apartment offered by them comes in a variety of styles, so everyone is bound to find one to suit their needs. The apartments enjoy a central location making it convenient place to stay.
