A vision for the future: a view of the past.

We have had the opportunity to visit some special places.

On a typical Sunday the beautiful city park of "Lian Hua Shan" is alive with families enjoying the open space, flying kites, playing music, honouring the past and looking for love.

Lian Hua Shan Park

Let's go fly a kite, or two.

A Chinese alternative to dating agencies.
Parents place "adds" describing their
son or daughter's attributes.

Details of a range of prospective partners; all in one spot.

No photos, just a description and contact details.

It is usually the parents that place the "adds" and scan
for a prospective son or daughter in law.

The pride of the park - An impressive statue of
Deng Xiaping.
The leader with the vision to encourage China to adopt a more open economy.
Considered the "Father of Shenzhen"; 30 years ago this year,the area was established as a "Special Economic Zone" . 15 million people later, the city is still growing and reaping the benefits of the vision. 

All walking with Deng.

The writing may be temporary but the
message brings parents hope for their
children.

What better place to practice than in the park.
Sharing music with nature.

Deng's vision - the growing skyline of Shenzhen.
The three spots above and near the buildings are actually kites being flown from the park.

Sundays are also useful for visiting sites a little further afield. An hour and half bus ride and  we had the privilege of visiting a 600 year old fortress, used to repel the Japanese, pirates and those dastardly British.

Entrance gate to the Depeng Fortress.

The narrow streets inside the ancient town.

Across the roofs of the tightly packed historical Depang site.