Walk in Yantian
City Exploration
and
Creation Camp
×
One Book in
Shenzhen:
Yantian Highlights
In April,
a gentle sea breeze carries
the quiet charm of reading.
In Yantian—
where mountains meet the sea and culture
blends seamlessly with nature—
an inspiring cross-cultural dialogue unfolded
beneath the lighthouse.
On April 11,
the City Exploration & Creation Camp
and Foreigner Experience (Yantian Stop),
along with the One Book in Shenzhen: Lighthouse Library Global Reading Event—
an official side event of
the 5th “Just Shenzhen, Just Youth” Video Contest—
successfully concluded.
The event was guided by
Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and jointly organized by
Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (SFIEC) and
the Yantian District Foreign Affairs Bureau.
Participants from nine countries—
including the UK, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Indonesia—gathered in Yantian.
Through their diverse international perspectives,
they explored the district’s unique blend of
ecology, art, and low-carbon innovation—
sharing Yantian’s story
while showcasing the warmth of Shenzhen.
PART01.
Where Mountains Meet the Sea: A Shared Reading Experience Across Cultures
Waterfront Boardwalk &
Lighthouse Library
Scroll left or right
Strolling along the coastal promenade to the Lighthouse Library, visitors are greeted by sweeping ocean views outside and a calm, book-filled space within. Through the Sea Breeze Blows Freely – Lighthouse Culture Research Exhibition, participants explored the cultural significance of lighthouses while discovering a sense of inspiration that transcends time and place.
Here, reading becomes more than a solitary activity—it turns into a shared exchange of ideas.
Uzbek literature enthusiast Akmalova Shakhribonu, reading Exploding Stars and Invisible Planets, found comfort in the vastness of the universe:
“The universe is so big that our daily problems seem small." Reading here, surrounded by beautiful scenery and good company, is incredibly healing—it gives me the courage to face challenges.”
Shenzhen-based youth Eva Lee found moments of connection through cross-cultural exchange. Despite different backgrounds, participants naturally bonded over topics like anime, parenting, and open-minded perspectives:
“This immersive reading experience really showed me how open and inclusive Yantian is. Books truly act as the most direct bridge between us.”
PART02.
A Creative Hub
Where East Meets West
Dameisha Yarra Art Center
At the Dameisha Yarra Art Center, the vibrant atmosphere feels like stepping into an international art district. Bold colors and distinctive spatial design turned the venue into a creative playground for participants.
Kazakh participant Altynay Kairatkyzy was struck by the seamless fusion of styles:
“Every corner feels like a surprise waiting to be discovered—full of stories. It entirely changed how I think about art.”
Altynay also recognized the creative potential of the space:
“This isn’t just a place to shoot a video—it’s a space full of creative possibilities. With more time and styling, I could explore so many different storytelling ideas here.”
PART03.
Where Urban Art
Meets Low-Carbon Living
Biosphere 3 & Meisha Art Center
At Biosphere 3 and the Meisha Art Center, participants experienced near-zero-carbon solutions up close, including zero-waste systems and black soldier fly-based organic recycling.
The space serves not only as a showcase for technology, but also as an artistic expression of ecological sustainability.
British teacher Andrew William Gibbs, who studied environmental protection, viewed the site through a professional lens. He was particularly impressed by the natural recycling system:
“Seeing food waste transformed into animal feed through a natural biological cycle is remarkable. What makes it even more impactful is how art brings these environmental ideas to life—turning recycling into something everyone can understand and take part in.”
Andrew documented this “green energy” throughout the visit, hoping to share Shenzhen’s sustainability efforts with a wider global audience.
Dialogue & Exchange:
A Meeting of Ideas
The event also featured an international cultural exchange session, creating space for meaningful dialogue across cultures.
Artists Deng Hao, Li Shi, and Masha joined participants in discussions on the theme of “The Coexistence of Green Ecology and Urban Art.”
Content creator Zhang Youzhi reflected:
“This experience gave us a deeper understanding of how ecology and urban art can coexist. It also encouraged us to step back from everyday distractions and think more broadly—about how to balance environmental protection with urban development, and how to approach the relationship between people, cities, and nature in a more inclusive and sustainable way.”
More than an artistic exchange, the session became a thoughtful conversation on sustainability. Through open dialogue, ideas of ecological awareness and cultural inclusivity quietly took root in Yantian.
Set against the backdrop of mountains and ocean,
and enriched by the joy of reading,
this journey revealed another side of Shenzhen—
beyond its reputation as a “city of technology,”
it is also a place defined by
ecological awareness and vibrant cultural exchange.
The City Exploration & Creation Camp of
the 5th Video Contest is still underway.
We look forward to more creators
capturing the many sides of Shenzhen—
and sharing its stories through
their own unique perspectives.
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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