SZ transforms cityscape blending tech and sustainability for National Games

As the 15th National Games unfold, a city-wide initiative is subtly reshaping the fabric of Shenzhen, with its efforts showcased along the scenic shoreline of Shenzhen Bay.

A recent media tour organized by the Shenzhen Executive Committee for the 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympics Games, took journalists to key areas, including the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center and Shenzhen Talent Park, to witness firsthand the urban upgrades and explore the synergy between the major sporting event and the city’s development.

“Gate of the Sea” Emerges as New Bay Area Landmark

As night falls, the “Gate of the Sea” on the east side of the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center illuminates.

Three massive screens create a dazzling display. Flanked by realistic 3D naked-eye displays, a 100-meter-wide central holographic transparent screen merges the structure with the night sky like a curtain of light.

The “Gate of the Sea” on the east side of the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center illuminates at night. Photos by Zhang Yu

This architectural lighting project, designed around the concept of the “Ring of Time,” has become a standout feature of the Shenzhen Bay nightscape.

“The flow of light starts from the sports center, extends to the China Resources Headquarters tower, and finally connects with the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, forming a luminous link throughout the bay area,” said Mao Wenting, deputy director of the Nanshan District Public Works Bureau. 

Mao explained that the design draws inspiration from the 1979 demarcation of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and also reflects the sporting spirit of the National Games, which Guangdong Province is hosting for the third time after a 24-year interval.

The rooftop lighting system is integrated with the master control for the Houhai area, allowing for coordinated light shows with surrounding buildings. Meanwhile, interactive light installations in the Tree Plaza let visitors step into the artwork, experiencing a fusion of art and technology.

This architectural lighting project has become a standout feature of the Shenzhen Bay nightscape.

The creation of this landmark, however, was not without challenges. Confronted with a tight schedule and a complex construction environment, technological innovation provided the breakthrough.

Construction teams developed a specialized “non-obstructive bidirectional rope fastener” to ensure workers remained securely tethered at all times during high-altitude operations.

Environmental considerations were also prioritized. The design eliminates upward-facing beams to protect migrating birds, uses low-power LED fixtures, and employs an intelligent control system for one-tap switching between event, festive, and daily modes, allowing the spectacle to coexist with ecological friendliness.

Drone Show Captures City’s Spirit

The media tour reached a crescendo at the Starlight Bridge in Talent Park. The facades of waterfront buildings transformed into giant canvases for dynamic light projections synchronized with music.

The most striking element took to the air: a fleet of 2,000 drones ascended from the park’s lawn. They formed the figures of the Games’ mascots, Xiyangyang and Lerongrong, holding a torch, followed by the Chinese characters for “Celebrating the 15th National Games.” 

The drone Show followed by the Chinese characters for “Celebrating the 15th National Games.” 

As the drones swiftly reconfigured, the silhouette of a pioneering bull — a symbol of Shenzhen’s “daring to venture, daring to try” spirit — emerged against the night sky, its head held high.

Against the backdrop of the glittering city lights, the continuous aerial performance was met with a chorus of camera shutters and recording smartphones as the journalists eagerly documented the display, a vivid illustration of the city’s ongoing transformation.