From a small fishing village to a modern international metropolis, from mudflats and wastelands to towering skyscrapers and vibrant green fields ­– in four decades, Shenzhen has blossomed into the city we know today.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ). From a small fishing village to a modern international metropolis, from mudflats and wastelands to towering skyscrapers and vibrant green fields ­– in four decades, Shenzhen has blossomed into the city we know today.

As the first district to be established in Shenzhen and a pilot zone for the city's reform and opening up, Luohu has impressed generations of Shenzhen citizens with numerous firsts.

How much do you know about Luohu? A six-episode micro-documentary called "The Luohu Times," which will begin airing on August 26, will recount some inspiring and charming stories about the district.

The six episodes - "The Glorious Times," "The Golden Age," "The Hong'an Memory," "A Harmonious Life," "The Fancy Kylin Dance"  and "The Luohu Bridge" -  will present the pioneering spirit of Luohu along with its profound culture and tradition.  

Below is a brief introduction to each episode.

The Glorious Times

Embodying the well-known "Shenzhen Speed," each floor of the International Trade Centre Building was built within three days, which was a historic feat in Chinese high-rise construction. 

"The Glorious Times" celebrates Luohu as a trailblazer of reform and opening up in Shenzhen. Embodying the well-known "Shenzhen Speed," each floor of the International Trade Centre Building was built within three days, which was a historic feat in Chinese high-rise construction.  This feat signified the strong momentum behind China's reform and opening up. This astonishing achievement has been written into the annals of Shenzhen SEZ's growth and the country's development.

The Golden Age

"The Golden Age" brings the audience to Luohu in the 1990s. This episode discusses the heyday of railway transportation in the Sungang-Qingshuihe Area.

"The Golden Age" brings the audience to Luohu in the 1990s. This episode discusses the heyday of railway transportation in the Sungang-Qingshuihe Area, where the first railway designated to transport goods to Hong Kong was built. With row upon row of warehouses erected across Sungang, trade between Shenzhen and Hong Kong began to flourish during this time.

The Hong'an Memory

The Hong'an Restaurant, which was housed in an old red and white building, is featured in this episode, which is titled "The Hong'an Memory".

The Hong'an Restaurant, which was housed in an old red and white building, is featured in this episode, which is titled "The Hong'an Memory." It is said that prestigious general Ye Ting once commanded the resistance against the Japanese invasion from this building. He Huayi, then the owner of the restaurant, generously supported Ye's work during that trying time.

A Harmonious Life

This episode depicts a large banquet that is held in Huangbeiling during the Double Ninth Festival. 

This episode depicts a large banquet that is held in Huangbeiling during the Double Ninth Festival. The festival provides people with an opportunity to worship ancestors and carry on traditional customs.

Descendants of the Zhang's travel back to Hongbeiling from Hong Kong and overseas to enjoy Pen Cai, or basin dish, which is a dish served in a basin. By sharing the dish of mixed flavors, people find harmony in their hearts and feel a sense of closeness.

The Fancy Kylin Dance

The fifth episode is dedicated to the Liwei Kylin Dance, which originated in Shuikuxincun Village. 

The fifth episode is dedicated to the Liwei Kylin Dance, which originated in Shuikuxincun Village. This unique dance dates back a hundred years, and a kylin dance group was reorganized in 1999. The group initially had 30 dancers, but today it has 70. The impressive kylin dance has been acknowledged as an intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong province, and its popularity has grown in recent years.

The Luohu Bridge

The Luohu Bridge used to be the sole pass that connected the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. 

The Luohu Bridge used to be the sole pass that connected the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. It served as a window to the world and, most importantly, witnessed the former British colony's return to the motherland on July 1, 1997.

The micro-documentary series was produced by the Luohu Multimedia Center under the supervision of the Publicity Department of CPC Luohu Committee.