On October 25,
the “Urban Exploration Route:
Cultural & Trend Line”,
organized by Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (SFIEC),
was successfully concluded.
Young participants from both China and abroad across the Greater Bay Area journeyed through three distinctive locations,
embarking on an in-depth urban exploration that connected creativity, history, and nature.
This event was not only a walk through the city's spaces but also an interactive experiment in cultural perception.
Participants captured the city's expressions through their lenses,
decoded cultural clues through engaging tasks,
and built bridges of understanding through meaningful exchange.
Art Awakens Urban Inspiration
OCT Loft Creative Culture Park
From the distinctive graffiti walls of OCAT to the
tranquil corners of Old Heaven Bookstore,
participants wandered through
shifting light and space,
capturing authentic glimpses of Shenzhen's
creative way of life.
“Our group's 'art blind box'task
was to find five animal sculptures,”
shared Muhammad, an international student
from Pakistan.
“I never imagined going on a treasure hunt in an art park.
The process made me notice many details I would normally overlook.
Shenzhen’s creativity isn’t only found in grand exhibitions—
it thrives in every street and corner.”
Decoding the Cultural Code Between Past and Present
Nantou Ancient City
In the afternoon,
the exploration team stepped into Nantou Ancient City.
Here, historical architecture stands side by side
with trendy boutiques,
and intangible cultural heritage blends
seamlessly with contemporary design.
Young participants from China and abroad
experienced the city's evolution
through layers of time.
“Decoding the ancient city's clues was so much fun!”
said Kelly, an international student from
Cameroon.
“I was surprised to find out that the so-called
'Cantonese Iced Americano' was actually a
herbal tea shop!
This kind of interaction helped me truly
understand the place—
not just pass through it.”
Moments of Collaboration
in the Sea Breeze
Prince Bay Coastal Park
Participants filmed along the 270° coastal
promenade,
relaxed and connected on the open lawn,
and collaborated on
the 'Tide Blind Box' challenge.
“What moved me most was the puzzle segment
at the coastal park,”
said Li Fangsheng from Harbin Institute of
Technology (Shenzhen).
“When we pieced together the fragments
collected throughout the day into a complete
city image,
it felt as though we were also stitching together
the experiences and emotions we shared.
Though the three sites seemed different,
together they revealed Shenzhen's diverse and
inclusive urban character.”
Many participants shared that
this experience transformed their
perception of Shenzhen—
shifting from the single label of
a “city of technology”
to a more multidimensional understanding of a
city that is rich in history, warmth, and
creativity.
Looking ahead,
SFIEC will continue curating meaningful urban
exchange programs,
inviting young people from China and abroad
to
explore city culture, connect through
interaction, and together shape the human story
of the Greater Bay Area.
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About Us
Founded in December 2014, SFIEC is the first non-public foundation in China committed to promoting international exchange and cooperation and facilitating the city’s internationalization. The mission of SFIEC is to establish platforms for international exchange and cooperation, facilitate the innovation and internationalization of Shenzhen, and engage different social entities in global governance.
Since its establishment, the foundation has focused on civil international exchange and cooperation, creating a number of creative and influential independent brand sections such as the "Shenzhen x Lancang-Mekong +", the "CityPlus" platform, the “Value Plus” Platform, the "Shentlemen" Series, Empower Global Enterprises, and Engagement in Partners Public Projects. It has facilitated more than 1000 international exchange and cooperation activities, covering 8 major fields including Economy, Technology, Education, Culture, Arts, Environmental Protection, Sister Cities, Health and Wellness. Its external exchange footprint covers 6 continents, 38 countries, and more than 100 cities.
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