After the opening of the Kowloon-Canton railway (KCR) at 1910, which passed through Shilong, its status as a traffic and commercial center was strengthened and its economy grew.

Its famous weightlifting world record breaker - Chen Jin-Kai (陈镜开) has also won Shilong's reputation as the 'Home Town of Weight Lifting' ((in Chinese)).

Shilong serves as a regional industrial and commercial hub due to its advantageous railway and water transportation connectivity.

Additionally, there are 83 pairs of electrified express intercity passenger buses running between Guangzhou and Shenzhen daily, facilitating easy movement between these major cities.

Presently, five folk ballad singers' associations take turns hosting free performances every Saturday evening in Yat-sen Park.

In 2005, Shilong was listed as the Dragon Boat Champion Center in China by the National General Administration of Sports.