Shenzhen – Despite the rain, international vloggers invited by EyeShenzhen, the city’s official multilingual portal, embarked on an enriching journey on Saturday to explore Shenzhen’s unique blend of history and modernity. The tour offered these influencers a deeper understanding of the city’s rich cultural heritage and highlighted the seamless convenience of its advanced technology.

The first stop on their journey was the Nantou Ancient Town Museum in Nanshan District, where the vloggers delved into artifacts and exhibits detailing the history of Nantou Ancient Town. This site, which has stood for over 1,700 years, spanning various Chinese dynasties including the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), provided the vloggers with a vivid glimpse into the historical roots of Shenzhen and the local customs and traditions of Nanshan.

Kennedy Mwita, a Tanzanian vlogger, expressed his admiration after the visit. “It was great seeing a place that has been around for over 1,700 years. That left a really good impression on me. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to see ancient activities or learn about the historical information of China and Shenzhen,” he said.

The vloggers appreciated the recent policy change that eliminated reservation requirements for all cultural venues and centers in Shenzhen, making their visit to the museum smoother and more convenient. Briana Francois, an American teacher at Shenzhen Middle School, noted the benefit of this change: “Now I can find out more about what Shenzhen has to offer and see a lot more new places.”

The group then moved on to OH Bay in Bao’an District, where they enjoyed a bike ride along a trail that is part of Shenzhen’s Mountain and Sea Vistas, an initiative that links the city’s mountains to the sea. Elle Rickelle Mason, an American designer and teacher, was thrilled to discover a weather-protected cycling path, saying, “I’ll definitely be back.”

At Shenzhen Talent Park in Nanshan District, the group was fascinated by drone-based food delivery services. Elle Mason shared her experience of using the service: “It only took maybe three clicks of a button with the mobile payments, and the bubble milk tea was delivered in 15 minutes. So I’m impressed with it.”

The tour concluded with dinner and shopping at One Avenue, a shopping mall in Futian District. For Oleksandra Filkina, a Ukrainian entrepreneur who recently arrived in Shenzhen, the event was an excellent opportunity to discover the city. She expressed excitement about EyeShenzhen’s recently launched travel page and the expansion of China’s 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, which she believes will attract more tourists to the city.

This tour offered the vloggers a unique perspective on Shenzhen, showcasing its vibrant mix of ancient history and cutting-edge technology. The experience not only highlighted the city’s cultural richness but also demonstrated the modern conveniences that make Shenzhen a dynamic and welcoming destination for international visitors.