Shenzhen situated in the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong Province, north of Hong Kong. Shenzhen is a center of foreign investment and has been one of the fastest growing cities in the world since it was established as a special economic zone in 1979. It is also the busiest port in China after Shanghai.

As the earliest of the five Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in China, Shenzhen profited the most from the policies of Deng Xiaoping (邓小平, Dèng Xiǎopíng, 1904-1997) who is credited with the opening up of economic revival in China. Shenzhen is one of the largest cities in the Pearl River Delta region and a major manufacturing center in China. Shenzhen handled a record number of containers in 2005, ranking as the world's fourth busiest port. Shenzhen has very close business, trade and social linkages with Hong Kong.

With 13 buildings at over 200 meters tall, including the Shun Hing Square (Diwang Building, the 9th tallest building in the world), Shenzhen ranks ninth in the world in terms of high-rise buildings, and fifth best city skyline in the world. It is a marvel of lights after sunset. Shenzhen's major tourist attractions include the Chinese Folk Culture Villages, Window of the World, Happy Valley and Splendid China.