In the early 1980s, a typhoon rainstorm flooded the Shenzhen Railway Station, affecting travel. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in South China's Guangdong province was established in August 1980. In the early 1980s, photographer Zhou Shunbin followed a troop of construction workers to enter Shenzhen and experienced the difficulties of working in what was then an undeveloped area. 

Every day he went to the construction site under the scorching sun to take photos and write articles about the construction soldiers and workers. He created a series of photos recording the construction's progress and life in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, which are precious historical materials reflecting Shenzhen's urban development.

A view of Dongmen old street in Shenzhen in 1983. Then, it was a small, remote town neighboring Hong Kong with a population of less than 30,000 residents. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

China started implementing the policy of reform and opening-up in 1978, so this collection of photos also serves as a witness to the changes in Shenzhen after the policy.

Zhou has been a photographer for 40 years, and is now a consultant with the Shenzhen Photographers Association.

The Baishaling area under Bijia Hill in Shenzhen in 1985 was a shanty town for the early construction workers and builders transforming Shenzhen. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

The Caiwuwei area in Shenzhen's Luohu district in 1998 is completely transformed and filled with high towers and skyscrapers. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

Skyscrapers rise above the formerly flat plain in central Shenzhen in 2009. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

A fisherman's family dines on a boat in 1982. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

Shenzhen's Shangbu wharf is pictured in 1989. Most building materials in the early phases of construction were transported through the Shenzhen River here. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

Shenzhen started to issue shares in 1992. Share holders rush to purchase new shares. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

The Yantian Port in Shenzhen under construction in 2006. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

A worker stretches his arms to the sky on the Hongling Mansion construction site in Shenzhen in 1984. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

Over 3,000 villagers from the He'ao new village in Longgang of Shenzhen lived in a model village which had orderly planned villas and farmland in 2006. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

The Mission Hills Golf Course in Shenzhen is the largest golf course in Asia. The final of the 11th World Cup of Golf was held here in 1995. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)

The observation platform on Lianhua Mountain in Shenzhen offers a view of the city. (ZHOU SHUNBIN / CPANET.ORG.CN)