From March through June, with the support of the Shenzhen Futian District Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, Handshake 302 is inviting locals to join the “Urban Flesh and Bones Futian Edition” tours.
On Sunday afternoon, they will visit Huaqiangbei, exploring the neighborhood as a “liminal space” that is comprised of other liminal spaces. On the one hand, we are interested in how the transformation of Shangbu Village into Shangbu Office contributed to the transition from Bao’an County to Shenzhen City.
This transformation — sometimes called “rural urbanization” — was critical to Shenzhen’s emergence as a proper city. On the other hand, we are curious about how the subsequent transformation of Shangbu Industrial Park into the Huaqiangbei area contributed to Shenzhen’s transition from being “the world’s factory” to being “the Silicon Valley of hardware.”
Of course, we are also fascinated by smaller liminal spaces such as kitchens, workshops, and markets because these specific places are where meat and vegetables become hometown dishes or foreign food, components become shanzhai phones or brand-name robots, and objects become commodities or treasured gifts. So join us for an afternoon that will change how you think about Huaqiangbei.
The tour is free and if you are 16 years and older, please scan the QR code below to sign up.
In case of inclement weather, Handshake 302 will contact participants with new dates.
Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m., May 12
Meeting place: U-Station next to Metro Line 1’s Science Museum Station, Exit A (地铁1号线科学馆站A出口U站)