SHENZHEN has added a new feather to its cap with the inclusion of Nantou Ancient Town in the recently unveiled third batch of national-level tourism and leisure blocks by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Out of the 54 selected areas from across the country, two are from Guangdong Province, namely Shenzhen’s Nantou Ancient Town and Foshan’s Ancient Nanfeng Kiln. This marks the first time that Shenzhen has earned the distinction of having a national-level tourism and leisure block, according to Shenzhen Economic Daily.

Nantou Ancient Town has so far garnered an impressive tally of 36 awards, spanning various categories such as urban renewal, architectural design, and nighttime economy.

With a history dating back nearly 1,700 years, Nantou Ancient Town once served as the administrative center of Xin’an County and held sway over a vast region encompassing present-day Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and other southern coastal areas during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It also played a pivotal role as a distribution hub for maritime transportation and trade.

Visitors to Nantou Ancient Town can immerse themselves in a distinctive blend of traditional culture and modern fashion, getting a glimpse of high-quality urban life right in the heart of the city.

(Wang Jingli)