FIVE years ago, construction work on the muddy banks of the reclaimed Qianhai area had just started. If it were not for the descriptive words and fascinating video demonstration, it would be very difficult for visitors to picture the future of of the area at that time, which is located in the west of the city.

Today, buildings such as the New Times Plaza, Qianhai Free Trade Building, the Kerry complex, the China Resources complex, Hony Global PE Center, Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Center and Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Fund Town all bear marks of intensive development.

From north to south, the three main function areas — Guiwan area (financial center), Qianwan area (business, high-tech and comprehensive services center) and Mawan area (international port and logistics and supply-chain headquarters) — have all been covered with greenery and occupied with buildings and large machines.

Pictures may say a thousand words, but more changes are still hidden, waiting to be realized.