Shenzhen implemented a special administrative system during the early years of Reform and Opening Up, including a management boundary commonly known as the “Second Line.”
On August 26, 1980, the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was officially approved. To support the administration of the SEZ, a management line approximately 84.6 kilometers long was constructed in June 1982 to separate the SEZ from surrounding non-SEZ areas. This boundary became known as the “Second Line,” distinguishing it from the boundary between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
On December 29, 1983, Shenzhen Special Economic Zone checkpoints were formally established. Initially, six checkpoints were set up: Buji, Nantou, Shawan, Baimang, Yantian’ao, and Beizaijiao. Each checkpoint included verification halls where identification documents were inspected for those entering and exiting the SEZ.
During that period, entry into the SEZ required a border pass. As the city developed and administrative policies were adjusted, entry procedures gradually changed. In 2005, the border pass system was discontinued, and special permits were no longer required to enter the SEZ.
Beginning on January 1, 2008, the checkpoints stopped processing border passes on site. In June 2015, the Shenzhen municipal government launched a comprehensive improvement project for the former Second Line checkpoint structures, and many of the buildings were subsequently removed.
The Second Line checkpoints were an important part of Shenzhen’s early development and reflect a specific phase in the city’s administrative history. While most of the physical structures have now been removed, their historical background remains part of the city’s development story.
深圳曾在改革开放初期实行特殊管理制度，并设置了被称为“二线”的管理线。
1980年8月26日，深圳经济特区正式获批成立。为配合特区建设与管理，1982年6月修建了一条全长84.6公里的管理线，用于区分特区范围与非特区区域。该管理线被称为“二线”，以区别于与香港之间的边界线。
1983年12月29日，深圳经济特区检查站正式成立。最初设有6个检查站，分别为布吉、南头、沙湾、白芒、盐田坳和背仔角。各检查站设有验证大厅，对进出人员证件进行查验。
在特定历史时期，进入特区需要持有边境通行证。随着城市发展和管理政策的调整，通行方式逐步发生变化。2005年起，边防证制度取消，进入特区不再需要办理专门证件。
2008年元旦起，各二线检查站停止现场办理边境通行证业务。2015年6月，深圳市启动二线关关口建筑综合改善工程，部分检查站建筑随后被拆除。
二线关作为深圳发展早期的重要管理设施，见证了城市不同阶段的变化。如今，相关实体设施已基本拆除，但其历史背景仍是城市发展历程的一部分。
