Living in Longgang: Space, Families, and Hakka Heritage

This is the district hub for Longgang. For the ten-district comparison, see Shenzhen’s districts; for rent baselines, the cost of living guide.

The short version

Sprawling and diverse. The area around Longgang Centre (龙岗中心城) is a planned new town with wide roads, government buildings, and residential compounds. The Longgang Universiade Centre (大运中心), built for the 2011 Universiade games, remains an impressive sports complex. Further east, the district becomes increasingly rural, with Hakka walled villages (围屋) and access to mountains.

Longgang lacks the density of central districts. Buildings are lower, streets are wider, and green space is more abundant. This is Shenzhen’s attempt at suburban living, though with 2.5 million residents, it’s suburban on a Chinese scale.

Quick facts

Rent, 1-bed	¥2,000–3,500; two-bedrooms: ¥3,500–6,000; three-bedrooms: ¥5,000–8,500
Metro	Lines 3, 10, 14, 16 (coverage limited given district size)
Commutes	Futian 45–60 min · Nanshan 60–75 min · Luohu 40–50 min
Who’s here	Families seeking space, factory workers, Hakka population, international school families

Why people choose it

Space and affordability. Longgang is cheap by Shenzhen standards. You get more square footage for your money than anywhere in central districts. Families with children, people who work locally, and anyone who prioritises space over convenience gravitate here.

Hakka heritage. The district has a significant Hakka population, descendants of migrants who settled here centuries ago. Hehu New Village (鹤湖新居) preserves traditional Hakka architecture — walled villages that predate Shenzhen’s transformation.

International schools. Several international schools are located in Longgang, attracting expat families who can handle the commute trade-off.

Less congestion. Despite 2.5 million residents, Longgang feels less crowded than central districts. Parks, green areas, and room to breathe are genuine advantages if you’re used to European or suburban living.

The trade-offs

Distance is the problem. Commute to Futian: 45–60 minutes. To Nanshan: 60–75 minutes. This is not a district for central city workers unless you enjoy long metro rides. Many areas require buses or bikes to reach metro stations.

Limited international amenities. Fewer expats than in central districts. Western restaurants, international grocery stores, and English-speaking services are sparse compared to Shekou or Futian.

Suburban on a Chinese scale. “Suburban” in Shenzhen doesn’t mean quiet countryside. It means 2.5 million people spread over a larger area, with all the infrastructure challenges that entails.

Key areas

Longgang Centre / Longgang Zhongxin Cheng (龙岗中心城)

Planned new town, wide roads, Universiade Centre. Families, government workers. ¥2,000–3,500. Lines 3, 16. Suburban on a Chinese scale — quiet, spacious, but far from everything.

Bantian (坂田)

Huawei campus, tech workers. Huawei employees, young professionals. ¥2,500–4,000. Line 10. A company town in all but name — if you work at Huawei, this is obvious.

Buji (布吉)

Old town, transit hub to Luohu. Budget commuters. ¥2,000–3,000. Lines 3, 5, 14. Cheaper than Luohu with direct metro access. The trade-off is congestion around Buji Station.

Henggang (横岗)

Industrial, traditional Hakka areas. Factory workers, Hakka families. ¥1,500–2,500. Line 3. Quiet and cheap. Not much else going on.

Hehu New Village area (鹤湖新居)

Hakka heritage, traditional architecture. Culture seekers, long-term residents. ¥1,500–2,500. Line 16. The best-preserved Hakka walled village in Shenzhen — see Key developments below.

Key developments

Low-altitude economy subsidies

Longgang issued revised low-altitude economy support measures (effective April 2026), providing subsidies for infrastructure, R&D platforms, and passenger route operators. The district also established the country’s first public low-altitude data transaction and a low-altitude safety equipment consortium. A new Germany-China cooperation project will build a testing, certification, and training base for low-altitude technology.

This positions Longgang as a serious player in the drone/eVTOL sector, not just manufacturing but the regulatory and certification infrastructure around it.

Longgang Universiade Centre

Built for the 2011 Universiade games, the sports complex (大运中心) remains an impressive venue. Check their event calendar — international sporting events, concerts, and competitions rotate through regularly.

Hehu New Village (鹤湖新居)

One of the best-preserved Hakka walled villages in Shenzhen. Traditional architecture, ancestral halls, and a glimpse of pre-modern life in what’s now one of China’s most urbanised regions. Worth a visit if you’re interested in the area’s history before the factories arrived.

Settling in Longgang: your reading list

1. Find an apartment, and read the scam section first
2. Register your address within 24 hours
3. Phone number and bank account
4. Public transport for metro and bus navigation
5. If you have children: international schools directory

Need help?

HeyShenzhen Community

Information changes frequently in Shenzhen. While we strive to keep our guides accurate and up-to-date, the latest information is often best found by asking in our community groups.

Join our community to get real-time updates, tips, and suggestions from our members:

• Discord - For general discussions and quick questions
• Facebook - For community updates and events
• WeChat: Add me (ID: jayjenxi)

Prefer email?Join the newsletter for a weekly digest of new guides and what's changing in Shenzhen.