Shenzhen unveiled Saturday its top 10 architectural sites, which have great historic significance to the city's development. The result was based on a four-month-long poll, with 200,000 local residents choosing from a total of 138 landmark spots.
The top 10 include Deng Xiaoping's sculpture at the Lotus Hill Park, Diwang Mansion, the bull sculpture, World Trade Tower, Electronics Building, Shanghai Hotel, World Square at Window of the World, Luohu Checkpoint Building, Shenzhen Museum and Shenzhen University.
Initiated by the city's culture bureau, planning bureau, tourism bureau and press group, the activity was meant to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Economic Zone and is an important part of the campaign to protect local historical and cultural relic. Ever since the establishment of the Shenzhen Economic Zone in 1980, the city has been developing by leaps and bounds. Thousands of high-rises sprung up as a testimony of the city's growth and prosperity, reminding the public what a city has achieved and how many difficulties have been overcome, according to the organizer.
Liang Hongwen, 70, a former professor of Shenzhen University who was involved in the university's start-up project, recalled the years when the campus was being established.
"My husband and I came from Qinghua University to help launch the project in 1983, when I was 45. Many graduates of Qinghua and other famous universities get together to contribute their talents and passion. The average age of the faculty was 37 years old. All of us worked enthusiastically to teach in the daytime while do all the construction designs in the evening. I am really excited that the city has recognized our efforts." Liang said.
The city has also recognized the pioneering endeavors made by builders of other architectures selected. For example, the World Trade Tower, its "building a floor in three days" was defined as the "Shenzhen speed."
Yi Nengquan, deputy chief of the local tourism bureau, said: "These architectures are meaningful to upgrade a city's cultural and historical values. The tourism bureau will promote them as tourist spots."
Organizer said financial subsidies will be allocated to preserve the 10 sites.
(Shenzhen Daily October 31, 2005)
