Meridian View Centre (Diwang Building)

This article was originally published on July 30, 2010, in the Shenzhen Daily.
The information was accurate at that time, and may be outdated now. Use with caution.

The Diwang ("King of the Earth") used to be Shenzhen's tallest building

On the next clear sunny day, head for the Meridian View Centre.

On the 69th floor of the Diwang Building, at a height of 384 meters, it's touted as "the first high-rise theme sightseeing and entertainment scenic spot in Asia" and has had millions of visitors since its opening in 1999.

Diorama of Deng Xiaoping meeting British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

One of these was not paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, as he died in 1997. However, the first thing you'll see upon entering is a reproduction of his 1984 meeting with then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Beijing, which included discussion of the return of Hong Kong to Chinese administration.

Hong Kong's wetlands are easily seen from the "view deck"

Entering the main view areas, you'll be wowed by views of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Note the green space: wetlands on the Hong Kong side, and numerous parks in Shenzhen. You can also see Dongmen, Shenzhen Stadium, the Shenzhen River, and far, far away, the Shenzhen Bay Bridge (west) and Mt. Wutong (east).

One of the game centers--for those tired of the view?

But there's more than just the view: We counted at least three scale models of the Diwang Building in dioramas; saw games and a "digital cartooning zone"; listened to the "Funny Eco-Environment Show" featuring audio-animatronic birds and animals; and saw a million-dollar robot.

I think this display was paid for by the well-to-do Hong Kong Jockey Club

There is also a display of pictures entitled "A Hundred Years of S.Z. & H.K." with bilingual captions.

Visitors' facilities include food service, gift shops, and toilets.

Some displays beggar description

The admission is 60rmb (30rmb for kids under 150cm tall); buy your ticket near the east doors of the Diwang Building (on Bao'an Nan Lu). The View Deck is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., great for viewing the city lights.

My article on Shennan Thoroughfare has some pictures of that boulevard from the View Deck.

GPS Info:

• 22.5425, 114.1107

---

Map:

View Larger Map