Discover China

The closing ceremony for the Shenzhen 26th Summer Universiade was held on 23 August. About 13,000 players and officials from 180 nations around the world attended this majestic event. This year’s competition was not only the largest in the event’s history, it was also different from previous games. Find out more about games highlights and see the videos from the closing ceremony see the CNTV News stories Closing ceremony of 26th Summer Universiade and Shenzhen Universiade makes history.

From 12 to 23 August Shenzhen proudly hosts the Shenzhen Universiade 2011. The Universiade is a major multi-sport event organised for university athletes from around the world by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The name is a combination of the words “University” and “olympiad”.

The colorful Shenzhen Universiade 2011 ‘Happy U’ emblem aims to convey the message that the Universiade is a carnival gathering for university students from around the world. The mascot, “UU”, is a smiling face developed from the Happy U designed to embody the great vitality and uplifting spirit typical of the young people competing in the games. The slogan, “Start Here”, demonstrates the Universiade’s focus on innovation.

The hosting of the Universiade has benefited more than 10 million Shenzhen residents through infrastructure upgrades, for example the opening of new Shenzhen Metro lines, and other urban improvements throughout the city.

To find out more about this great event visit:

• Official Website of the Shenzhen Universiade 2011
• CNTV Shenzhen Universiade 2011 Special Feature
• China Daily Shenzhen Universiade 2011 Special Feature
• Shenzhen Daily “Universiade News” English edition

Shenzhen’s modern Metro rail network has expanded with the opening of new lines and extensions to existing lines – read more in the Shenzhen Government Online news articles Metro Line 1 extension opens, Line 2 extension opens today, Subway network in shape, Metro Line 4 extension opens, and Line 5 opening benefits Bao’an, Longgang.

A further five lines are planned to open by 2016 – read more in the Shenzhen Government Online news article 5 more Metro lines to open before 2016.

The extension of Shenzhen Metro Line 1 to Airport East Station has officially opened, enabling direct access from Shenzhen Airport to locations throughout Shenzhen using the city’s comprehensive and expanding Metro network. Combined with the increasing number of direct international flights to Shenzhen, the opening of the Line 1 makes visiting Shenzhen’s many attractions even easier for international travelers. Find out more in the Shenzhen Government Online news article Metro Line 1 extension opens and James Baquet’s Shenzhen Daily article Shenzhen Airport.

On 1 July 2011 China celebrated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). If you are visiting Shenzhen you can learn about Shenzhen’s role in the history of the CPC by:

• Reading the China Daily article about the significant Shenzhen milestone in the history of the CPC
• Visiting the excellent Shenzhen Museum of History – read about my museum visit during my trip to Shenzhen and Guangzhou in 2010 and find out more about the museum in the list of Shenzhen Attractions
• Exploring Shenzhen’s revolutionary history through the Shenzhen Daily articles Revolutionary tourist attractions in SZ (Part I), Revolutionary tourist attractions in SZ (Part II) and List of revolutionary tourist attractions