Nantou Ancient City

Updated 2026-04-21

The cultural root of Hong-Kong and Shenzhen, when 1,700-year history finally meets contemporary creativity

Also known as 新安故城 Xin'an Ancient City, the place is acknowledged as the cultural root of Shenzhen and Hong Kong and the origin of Shenzhen's urban history.
Founded in 331 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty as the administrative seat of Dongguan Prefecture, it has a history of nearly 1,700 years proving that Shenzhen is more than just a modern metropolis.

History of Nantou

Throughout centuries, Nantou served as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Lingnan coastal region, as well as a major coastal fortress and a hub for maritime trade and foreign commerce . It was from here that Hong-Kong, Macau, Zhuhai, and Zhongshan were once administered. The city through the Opium War and the cession of Hong Kong, witnessed both glory and humiliation in modern Chinese history .

After decades of obscurity during Shenzhen's rapid modernization, Nantou Ancient City underwent a major urban regeneration project beginning in 2019 , led by Vanke City Research Institute and Urbanus architecture firm . Reopened in August 2020, the ancient city has been transformed into a creative urban neighborhood where history, art, culture, and daily life coexist.

### Opening Hours
Streets : 24/7
Museums & Exhibition Halls : 9:00/10:00 am - 5:00 pm, closed Mondays
Shops & Restaurants : generally 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

### Historical Sites
- South Gate
- East Gate
- Tao Zhu Gong Bank
- Dongguan Guild Hall
- Wen Tianxi Ancestral Hall
- Baode Temple
- City Wall, including the northern wall within Zhongshan Park

Museums & Cultural Spaces

• Xin'an County Office : The former yamen (government office) of Xin'an County. Nowadays a museum displaying over 300 artifacts. (Free admission, from Tuesday to Sunday)
• Nantou Ancient Town Museum : traces Shenzhen's 1,700-year urban history
• Diverse Homology Museum : the region's geographical, economic, and cultural development over recent centuries
• Xin'an Opium Den
• Idea Factory : Converted from an abandoned garment factory, now housing creative agency offices and studios
• Nantou 1820 Digital Exhibition Hall : an immersive 360-degree animation

Nearby Attractions

• Zhongshan Park (adjacent)
• Huanggang Port → nearby border crossing to Hong Kong

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