How can we enhance our understanding of dense, large, rapidly developing megacities by listening to them? Given that the city comprises different strata of technologies, classes, industries, businesses, transportation modalities, and natural features, Shenzhen offers an example of a fastchanging, large urban space of complex sonic environments. This project develops what we call a “distributed” system through which untrained users, using their personal mobile phones, listen to and record Shenzhen. This participatory approach to understanding the city through sound allows us to collect qualitative data from untrained participants. In two selected locations, a green park and a science park, we prompt them to add contextual photos and verbal tags to what they record into the database. In this paper, we introduce a unique creative method of listening to the city via a distributed system that utilizes ubiquitous mobile technology in the contemporary city of Shenzhen. We present a pilot system that we developed and the results of a small-scale user study, which contributed empirical insights into reflective dimensions of Shenzhen’s soundscape and demonstrated an effective approach by public participation and human-computer interaction.