Shenzhen: WTF is with the Split Personality?!
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- I've been debating whether to explain or not. Now that the post's popularity has waned and I wasn't really in the mood to discuss it before, I feel I can clarify things without stirring up too much controversy. This post was written after a trip I took following a breakup, and I truly didn't expect it to generate so much discussion. 2. I never mentioned 'urban villages' at all; I just said the buildings were very close together. The 'sense of disconnect' I felt stemmed from my perception of Shenzhen as a very modern, upscale city. I was surprised to find housing that felt so cramped and oppressive. I'm from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area and have lived in older, smaller, somewhat rundown apartments before, but I'd never encountered a layout that felt this oppressive. 3. I've read every comment. It's heartwarming to see so many people share that these places were their first foothold in Shenzhen, and through hard work, they eventually moved into better housing. I'm truly happy for them. As for those who criticized me, saying I don't work hard, that I 'deserve' such housing, or telling me to 'go get some sunshine' – there's really no need for that. You don't need to lecture me on how to live. It's natural for different people to have different opinions about a city.
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Haha, OP, you don't need to explain yourself to people with poor reading comprehension. I've worked hard in Shenzhen for ten years, and I love its youthful vibe and fast pace. I've lived in both urban villages and regular residential areas in Shenzhen. To me, they're all part of the journey, just different life experiences. You were just sharing an observation, much like how I recently remarked that my friends in the Hangzhou suburbs drive as casually as if they're strolling through a mall.
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Urban villages are the starting point for many people striving in Shenzhen.
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Exactly. There are always people at the grassroots level working incredibly hard to make a living, and it's not easy. What are some folks online even complaining about? (Not you, author, of course!)
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Am I the only one who thinks it's quite neat and clean? You should see the urban villages in Guangzhou.
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I've been a few times. You have to go to the very end of the alley just to get a clear view of the sky. In many spots, looking up, there's only a tiny slit, maybe ten centimeters wide.
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I don't see much of a 'disconnect.' Is that Chiwei Village you photographed? The shorter buildings are original village houses. The villagers have lived there for generations; it's their land and property. These places also offer affordable housing for newcomers working to build their lives in Shenzhen. The taller buildings are resettlement housing or commercial apartments, home to early Shenzhen developers and those who later earned enough to buy a permanent home here. Commercial areas and office buildings are where people work – every city has its CBD, right? From your post, it seems you're a tourist. Perhaps you're not too familiar with the city's context. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your visit.
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Wow! Yes, I live in an urban village, and I'm proud of it! Wonder if I'll get flamed online for saying this.
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Back in 2010 in Xixiang, I saw places like this. You could practically reach out your window and pass a spatula to your neighbor.
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That looks just like Longhua. Houses in other suburban areas aren't usually that densely packed.
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Nanshan is even more packed.
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It's so oppressive, it feels like you even have to pay for sunlight.
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Actually, almost every big city has areas like this. These 'urban villages' are the starting point for many people's journeys and a relic of the city's older development phases, while the skyscrapers stand as a testament to Shenzhen's economic boom.