Love the second slogan "Once you arrive, you are a Shenzhener". If only more places had the same ethos. I think London could be added to your list. Thanks for sharing - I knew shamefullly little about Shenzhen, but it sounds like my kind of place.
Yeaa, I feel a first conversation with a resident is often my first impression of a place! and what they say about it is almost like a chapter opener that frames my experience there.
Thank you!! Haha are we less introspective? 🤔 And didn't know Andressen made a comparison between shenzhen and silicon valley! Do you have the link to it?
Oh Andressen didn't say it as a comparison the shenzhen. He just said on an a16z podcast that he doesn't introspect. Which sounds odd, but maybe that's the thing I don't hear many identity phrases like "silicon valley people are X or Y", for better or worse. https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-zero-introspection-debate-2026-3
Yes! The first day I visited, an artist at the Dafen Oil Painting village (which is a fascinating place in itself!) told me, “Shenzhen is like a small America”. I’m not sure if the Chinese inherently share a very similar work ethic as Americans, or that it’s what makes the city unique.
…sounds like a good place and a good time to be…
Most definitely!!
This came out great, Coco!! Thank you for sharing. This piece really made me feel like I visited Shenzhen and got to feel what its like.
Thank you so much! Hope it gave a fair glimpse of Shenzhen :) and thanks for all the comments along the way
Love the second slogan "Once you arrive, you are a Shenzhener". If only more places had the same ethos. I think London could be added to your list. Thanks for sharing - I knew shamefullly little about Shenzhen, but it sounds like my kind of place.
I've only visited London once and been hoping to spend a bit more time there to get to know how the culture there is like!
Thank you for reading :) If you ever visit let me know!!
This makes me want to visit Shenzhen someday. It's such a cool vibe when you can tell the residents of a place really love living there!
Yeaa, I feel a first conversation with a resident is often my first impression of a place! and what they say about it is almost like a chapter opener that frames my experience there.
Very interesting, might have to visit Shenzhen soon
Fascinating!
I'm on my way
😁😁
Real
Fascinating piece! Makes me think a big difference between 深圳 and silicon valley is as Andressen puts it, we are far less introspective 😂
Thank you!! Haha are we less introspective? 🤔 And didn't know Andressen made a comparison between shenzhen and silicon valley! Do you have the link to it?
Oh Andressen didn't say it as a comparison the shenzhen. He just said on an a16z podcast that he doesn't introspect. Which sounds odd, but maybe that's the thing I don't hear many identity phrases like "silicon valley people are X or Y", for better or worse. https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-zero-introspection-debate-2026-3
Interesting. I see his point on rumination, but can’t say I agree 😂
There’s something that seems almost American about the way you describe shenzen’s self-conception / work ethic.
Yes! The first day I visited, an artist at the Dafen Oil Painting village (which is a fascinating place in itself!) told me, “Shenzhen is like a small America”. I’m not sure if the Chinese inherently share a very similar work ethic as Americans, or that it’s what makes the city unique.