Shenzhen is a prefecture-level city and sub-provincial city located in the southern part of Guangdong Province, China. Situated on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Estuary, it borders Hong Kong to the south, Dongguan to the north, and Huizhou to the northeast. The city covers an area of approximately 1,997.47 square kilometers and features a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by long summers and abundant rainfall.
Established as a Special Economic Zone in 1980, Shenzhen has developed into a premier global metropolis and a core city of the Shenzhen metropolitan area. It is often referred to as "China's Silicon Valley" due to its status as a national innovative city. The city serves as an international comprehensive transportation hub, featuring the Port of Shenzhen, which ranks as the world's fourth-busiest container port.
As of 2025, Shenzhen has a population of approximately 18.2 million residents, making it one of China's most populous urban centers. Its economy is highly significant, with a GDP that has recently surpassed those of Hong Kong and Singapore. While its urban history spans over 1,700 years, the city is also recognized as an Old Revolutionary Base Area and the birthplace of the East River Column.