On the afternoon of Jan. 4, the ninth session of the HiQianhai event series concluded at the Mawan Urban Exhibition Hall in Qianhai. More than 20 international residents experienced the unique charm and profound heritage of traditional Chinese culture through hands-on activities, such as making intangible cultural heritage lanterns, writing Chinese calligraphy, and tying Chinese knots, all rich with Spring Festival elements.
Participants pose for a group photo after the ninth HiQianhai event held in Qianhai on Jan. 4. Photos from Shenzhen Daily
During the event, the international residents not only immersed themselves in the vibrant cultural atmosphere but also took the opportunity to explore the Mawan area. British resident Andrew William Gibbs visited the Qianhai INLI shopping mall before the event and was drawn to its distinctive business atmosphere and diverse offerings. He later shared his discovery on social media.
Participants at a HiQianhai frisbee event.
Since the Qianhai International Neighborhood Launch Ceremony in May last year, the HiQianhai event series has become an international calling card for Qianhai. Sponsored by the Qianhai International Cooperation Center and held on the first Saturday of each month, each session highlights a specific theme in fields such as education, sports, culture, music, healthcare, and cuisine.
Participants at a HiQianhai sailing event.
The goal of the series is to deepen international residents' understanding of local culture, increase their integration into Shenzhen and Qianhai, and foster cultural exchanges. To date, nine sessions have been successfully held across Qianhai's Qianwan, Guiwan, central Bao’an, and airport areas, attracting over 600 international participants.
Each International-Friendly Shopping Area in Qianhai has over 15 certified International-Friendly Merchants.
In addition to the HiQianhai series, Qianhai has implemented several initiatives to continuously build an internationalized living environment. In November last year, Qianhai officially launched its first batch of International-Friendly Shopping Areas and Merchants. Qianhai Uniway and Qianhai MIXC Breeze Valley became the first International-Friendly Shopping Areas, each featuring over 15 certified International-Friendly Merchants.
Certified International-Friendly Merchants in Qianhai offer convenient foreign card payment services, bilingual menus in Chinese and English, and staff members proficient in English.
These businesses offer convenient foreign card payment services, bilingual menus in Chinese and English, and staff members proficient in English, providing international shoppers with a comfortable and convenient shopping and dining experience.
Employees of key merchants in Qianhai at an English training session provided by Qianhai and EyeShenzhen.
Prior to the certification process, Qianhai collaborated with EyeShenzhen to provide multiple rounds of public English training for key merchants. An experienced expat teacher conducted systematic courses and scenario simulations to enhance the English service capabilities of these businesses' employees. Following the training, the teacher organized on-site assessments with international residents to evaluate the participating merchants, ensuring that the service quality of certified merchants meets certain standards.
Participants engage in discussions at Qianhai English Corner.
Meanwhile, the Qianhai English Corner series has become an integral part of Qianhai's international community. Held every Thursday evening and led by experienced native English-speaking teachers, these sessions focus on in-depth discussions related to daily life and work. Through engaging games and interactive activities, participants improve their spoken English skills and broaden their international perspectives. To date, the series has attracted nearly 300 English enthusiasts, fostering a growing interest in foreign language learning among Qianhai residents.
After more than six months of continuous efforts, the construction of the Qianhai International Neighborhood has made significant progress, with Qianhai’s international livability and business environment steadily improving. In 2025, Qianhai plans to continue hosting international events such as HiQianhai, and further advance the development of its international neighborhood. These efforts aim to foster an internationalized atmosphere in Qianhai, transforming this vibrant area into a hub for cultural integration.