Shenzhen's Reclaimed Land Development Success | Generated by AI
Question: What is the status of the project in Shenzhen where a mountain was cut down to provide fill material for reclaiming sea land in the Qianhai and Houhai areas?
Answer:
The Qianhai and Houhai areas in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District were developed through extensive land reclamation by filling sea bays, creating approximately 15 square kilometers for Qianhai alone and additional areas for Houhai. These projects transformed former coastal waters and bays into modern urban districts, including commercial hubs, headquarters bases, and infrastructure like Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.
Reclamation began in the 1980s in nearby areas like Shekou and intensified in the 2000s-2010s for Qianhai and Houhai. Fill material primarily came from dredging the sea, importing sand, and construction sources, with widespread accounts of “digging mountains to fill the sea” (削山填海) in early Shenzhen developments, such as flattening hills for industrial and residential land in Snakekou and other western areas.
No specific evidence confirms that one particular mountain was entirely cut down exclusively for Qianhai or Houhai reclamation. Nearby mountains like Yangtai Mountain and Tanglang Mountain remain preserved as forest parks and country parks.
As of late 2025, the projects are complete and highly successful. Qianhai has evolved into a major Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation zone, free trade area, and modern service industry hub, hosting events like the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Games. It features skyscrapers, financial centers, cultural venues (e.g., Happy Theatre, Shenzhen Book City), and ongoing development toward a world-class bay area by 2035. Houhai is a thriving commercial and headquarters district with high-rise buildings and luxury developments.
Challenges included land subsidence in reclaimed areas due to soil compaction (observed in studies up to 2018) and ecological impacts like mangrove loss, but mitigation efforts (e.g., replanting red mangroves) have been implemented. The areas now contribute significantly to Shenzhen’s economy, attracting foreign investment and integration with Hong Kong.
References:
- Qianhai - Wikipedia
- Big ambitions meet uneven reality as Qianhai returns to China’s opening-up spotlight - CNA
- The new special economic zone of Qianhai in Shenzhen - China Britain Business Council
- Coastal Subsidence Monitoring Associated with Land Reclamation… Shenzhen, China
- 深圳填海三十年 - The Paper