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Published: July 27th 2023
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Exploring another area of Shenzhen. Baoan is pretty far from where I live but new subway lines have made it more accessible and slashed travel times. We started at Baoan Farmers Trade Wholesale Market (that's the translation of the name, which is why it sounds a little strange). The market was really big, bigger than I imagined it would be. We started in the outer ring, which was filled with shops selling dry good such as rice, spices, cured meats and fruits and veggies. Since it was the afternoon, it was pretty quiet. Because the market is in Shenzhen, it's a bit more high tech as each vendor had a tv screen outside their store that displays what I think was their prices. After walking the outer ring, we headed into the centre of the market which was more of a wet market. This area was busier with vendors preparing and chopping their products and people buying meat and fish. I really enjoyed seeing all the different things on sale. There were all kinds of meats and fish and it was all being butchered there right in front of us.
After the market, we headed to a rather ramshackled village
about a five to ten minute walk away. Chentian Village (臣田村) was like stepping into another country as we waked through small alleyways between one story buildings. I felt like I was in a poorer part of South East Asia especially as it was warm and humid, and there were a few palm trees around. We got a few curious stares from the locals, but no animosity. The village also had the blend of indoor and outdoor living with all the laundry hanging out in front of people's homes, couches, table and kitchens set up outside. There were quite a few piles of junks lying around the village and quite a few empty street food carts. Maybe that is what some of the locals do for work. There were also a few two and three story buildings dotted about the place. One was pretty nice and the friendly owners were standing outside and told us the building was about forty years old. It still amazes me the massive wealth disparity in China and that opposite ends of the scale live so close together.
After a bit more of a walk, we came to a small river that ran through
another part of the district. This area was a lot more built up and busier. We also attracted a bit of attention here as there were four kids (late primary school and middle school) cruising the streets on an ebike and they drove past us a few times stopping to chat and practice their English, which was fun and we all had a laugh together. We stopped on one of the bridges over the river and even the old people were surprised and happy to see some foreigners. The river was a bit of a strange one as it was covered with rows of concrete. Some of them had flowers growing on them, which make it look prettier. We had a quick wander around some the streets on the left bank of the river, but there wasn't much to see. So we headed back to the right bank to have a look around there.
The left bank of the river was filled with tall apartment buildings and is known as a handshake village. It got this nickname as the buildings were built really close together, so close that if two people in opposite buildings open their windows, they can
easily extend their arms and shake hands. The village's real name is Fenghuanggangcun (凤凰岗村). We wandered the lanes between the apartment blocks for a while. I really enjoyed looking around this area. The apartment buildings were packed so tightly together that little light got through to ground level. For me it would be hard to live there as there seems to be so little natural light and your neighbours can see everything you do. There were also loads of Mahjong parlours on the ground floor of many buildings, which were packed with people playing. After the village, we took a walk back to the subway station along the river. The riverside was pretty busy with people enjoying the last of the weekend outside.
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RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew
Baoan
I love places like this! I love the nickname 'handshake' buildings; but I know what you mean about a lack of natural light... thanks for taking us along :)