Taking a stroll in Dawan Ancestral Residence or Longtian Ancestral Residence, admiring stunning artworks at the Pingshan Art Museum, having a good read at Pingshan Library, enjoying classical music or an avant-garde dance show at Pingshan Theater, and meeting international talents at Pingshan International Talent Community, these are all easily achievable now by taking Shenzhen Metro Line 14.

Also known as the Eastern Express, Shenzhen Metro Line 14 starts operation on Oct. 28. A ride that takes less than an hour provides passengers convenient access to northeast Shenzhen’s Pingshan District.

Six stations in Pingshan:

Jinlong Station 锦龙站

Visitors exiting Jinlong Station and taking a short walk eastward for 900 meters will reach the famous Hakka architecture, the Dawan Ancestral Residence (大万世居). Covering 25,000 square meters, it was built in 1791 by the Zeng family and has more than 400 rooms and halls. Diaolou watchtowers, wells, halls, wooden plaques and cultural relics are well preserved. In recent years, cultural events, such as international illustration exhibitions and light shows, have been held at this centuries-old compound.

Visitors gather at Dawan Ancestral Residence. Photos by Liu Xudong except otherwise stated

Another gem in Pingshan is Maluan Mountain (马峦山) where there are large waterfalls in the summer, together with old Hakka villages and breathtaking natural scenery. Currently, the nearest Metro station from the mountain is Jinlong which is still four kilometers away, but more bus stops have recently been added around Metro stations in Pingshan for passengers to access remote places.

Maluan Mountain is famous for its waterfalls. Lin Jianping

At Pingshan Innovation Park (坪山创新广场) near Jinlong Station, apart from office buildings, there are light-meal restaurants and coffee shops. The Rainbow Department Store’s Pingshan branch (天虹商场坪山店) is also within walking distance to the station, providing an easy shopping and dining opportunity.

Pingshanwei Station 坪山围站

To celebrate the opening of Metro Line 14, passengers can claim free HeyTea coupons Friday morning at the Holiday World (坪山益田假日世界) shopping mall by showing proof of taking Line 14 and exiting from Pingshanwei Station. The shopping center near the station is offering discounts, giving souvenirs and holding free movie screenings for shoppers this weekend.

Exit Pingshanwei Station and walk southeastward for 800 meters, and you will find Wenwu Temple (文武帝宫), which was built in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This 512-square-meter temple complex was originally used by the Hakka people to venerate Confucius and Guan Yu. With the old architecture preserved, it now has been partly modified as a division of Pingshan Book Room (坪山城市书房) for locals to read books and hold cultural events.

With the old architecture preserved, Wenwu Temple has been partly modified as a division of Pingshan Bookroom. Photos from Eastern Cultural's WeChat account

Pingshan Center Station 坪山中心站

Walking eastward for 1.4 kilometers, you can relax at Yanziling Park (燕子岭公园) and enjoy colorful flowers, while in the west side of the Metro Station, Pingshan Central Park (坪山中心公园) serves as a wonderful place to take a stroll thanks to its luxuriant trees and lakes.

Pingshan Central Park

Pingshan Square Station 坪山广场站

Around Pingshan Square Station, you are expected to spend more time in this area since it gathers several cultural venues, collectively known as the Pingshan Culture Center (坪山文化聚落). There’s also a cinema and lifestyle stores.

At Pingshan Art Museum (坪山美术馆), admire contemporary artist Shen Shaomin’s current solo exhibition; at Pingshan Library (坪山图书馆), read a book from a collection of over 1.2 million books; at Pingshan Cultural House (坪山文化馆), take a free art lesson; and at Pingshan Theater (坪山大剧院), you can watch concerts, musicals and dances all year round.

Pingshan Art Museum

The Pingshan International Talent Community (坪山国际人才街区), 1.2 kilometers away from the Metro station, provides information services, temporary residence registration, consultation on legal and tax affairs and services for entry and exit to international talents. It also includes discussion and reading areas.

Kengzi Station 坑梓站

Within a short walking distance, visitors have access to the Longtian Ancestral Residence (龙田世居), a well-preserved Hakka compound built by the Huang family around 1837.

Shatian Station 沙田站

Shatian Station is a terminus station of Line 14 and located near the border between Shenzhen and Huizhou.

By taking Metro Line 14 and then buses or taxis, passengers can get to more places in Pingshan, such as Pingshan Railway Station (坪山站), BYD headquarters (比亚迪总部), Shenzhen innoX (深圳科创学院), Yanzi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center (燕子湖国际会展中心) and Shenzhen Technology University (深圳技术大学).

Locals and tourists can relax at Jingui Camp Town (金龟露营小镇), Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall • Shuiyuan Ancestral Residence (东江纵队纪念馆 • 水源世居), Nanzhong School (南中学堂), Pingshan Wetland Park (坪山湿地公园) and Grand Skylight International Hotel Pingshan (坪山格兰云天国际酒店).

Many places are located along Metro Line 16 which will start operation at the end of the year.