It's called the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. It was established 30 years ago as one of the mainland's first special economic zones - the others being Zhuhai and Shantou in Guangdong and Xiamen in Fujian .
Shenzhen officials regard the 30th anniversary as important because people at age 30 are expected to be able to stand firmly on their own two feet, according to Confucius.
As people celebrate the important landmark, the big issue for city officials is: how to keep Shenzhen special.
By many accounts, the city has lost its way, and the road map back to that status, as well as moving forward, is still uncertain.
Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin said the city would invest 105 billion yuan (HK$120 billion) in 60 huge projects to celebrate the anniversary, including cheap housing, schools, hospitals, infrastructure and industrial parks.
The city pronounced August 26 a public holiday for about 14 million residents, and 15 million phone cards, valued at 100 yuan each, have been given free to the residents to mark the occasion. Activities, including a seminar on political reform, exhibitions, concerts and a choral competition, will continue for a month until September 26.