Dapeng has been recognized as one of China’s Top 100 Small Towns Worth Visiting based on a tourism research report titled “China’s Charming Small Towns Tourism Report.”

Published Feb. 26, the report highlights 100 small towns that are ideal for tourism. Jointly conducted by the China Tourism Academy and travel service and social networking platform Mafengwo, the study evaluated small towns based on factors such as ancient architecture, historical culture, intangible heritage, folk customs, and natural or human wonders.

Research by the China Tourism Academy indicates a growing demand for travel to lower-tier cities. According to Mafengwo, content related to “small cities” and “county towns” on the platform increased by 44.8% in 2024, while the number of travelers to these areas rose by 76.4%. Over 5 million users shared and exchanged travel experiences on the platform.

Dapeng Fortress teams with tourists in Spring. Liu Xudong

“If you think Shenzhen is boring and only about fast-paced life, Dapeng will definitely break that stereotype,” the report stated. “With Dapeng Fortress, which has over 600 years of history; Nan’ao Subdistrict, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s first international ‘slow city’ and Xichong, China’s first international dark sky community — along with Dapeng’s coastline, cuisine, and folk culture — you can’t claim to know Shenzhen without visiting Dapeng.”

In recent years, Dapeng New Area has redefined its tourism model by leveraging natural and cultural resources, such as its ancient coastal town, to enhance tourism experiences, attract younger travelers, and promote mobile-friendly content. This has led to the continuous emergence of new products, formats, and models.

Data show that Dapeng has become increasingly popular among tourists in recent years. In 2024, the district welcomed 19 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 18%, generated 11.8 billion yuan in tourism revenue, an increase of 22%, and hosted 2.5 million overnight visitors, an increase of 26%.

For the first time, the number of international tourists exceeded 1 million, marking a 76% year-on-year increase. Key indicators, including visitor numbers, tourism revenue, overnight stays, and international visitor numbers, have reached record highs.