OTHER AREAS OF SHENZHEN
Established as China’s first special economic zone in 1980, Shenzhen is not only a leading global technology hub (dubbed ‘China’s Silicon Valley’), but is also at the forefront of China’s cultural and cultural industries. One of the fastest-growing cities in the world in the 1990s and 2000s, Shenzhen houses a number of art museums and institutions to keep the art-lover in you busy. Many of these museums and institutions also have equally flattering architectural designs that are bound to impress.
After you have finished exploring art in the main districts of Shenzhen – namely Futian and Nanshan – take some time to see what’s off the beaten path. Afterall, there are 7 other districts in China’s sixth largest city. Venture out to discover other areas.
LONGGANG
Dafen Oil Painting Village
Located in Longgang, one of Shenzhen’s 9 districts, Dafen Oil Painting Village was just a rural village over 30 years ago, but it has transformed into a busy tourist art hub. With replica oil painting factories alongside artist studios, it is one of the most popular daytrips from Shenzhen. Dafen is quite an experience: every alleyway is packed with shops selling replicas as well as art workshops. Fun fact: around 5 million replica artworks are estimated to be sold from Dafen every year.
Dafen Art Museum
While you’re in Dafen, pay a visit to China’s largest village-level museum, the Dafen Art Museum. Not only is it a museum of contemporary art featuring works by local artists, but the multi-purpose building also houses different exhibition halls and galleries, painters’ studios, and a rooftop square.
PINGSHAN
Pingshan Art Museum (PAM)
Located in the Pingshan cultural quarter, Pingshan Art Museum (PAM) is China’s first district contemporary art museum that opened its doors in 2019, giving Shenzhen its first major destination for contemporary art. Designed by renowned architect, Dong Gong, the museums team organises exhibitions, research, collections and educational initiatives, working alongside other Chinese state-owned art museums. It features a network of balconies and bridges that allow artworks to be displayed both inside and outside, opening out to the bamboo-covered terraces, making a visit there not only artistic but also immersive.
LUOHU
Shenzhen Art Museum
Shenzhen Art Museum, formerly known as Shenzhen Exhibition Hall, was founded in 1976. It received official approval from the municipal government in 1987 to be renamed as the Shenzhen Art Museum, coinciding with the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. In its early years, the museum served as a platform for renowned domestic artists to showcase their works, contributing to the recognition and exposure of Chinese art on the global stage. Each year, the museum hosts two significant events: ‘China Contemporary Art Thematic Exhibition’ and ‘Shenzhen Local Art Thematic Exhibition’.
LONGHUA
Shenzhen Art Museum (New Venue)
The Shenzhen Art Museum (New Venue) is the newest addition to the Longhua District. Recently opened to the public, it stands proudly as the first among the city’s 10 new cultural landmarks in the new era. Designed by the German studio KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten, the Shenzhen Art Museum (new venue) is a major cultural destination that boasts an impressive collection of approximately 1,000 artistic works. Showcasing the seamless fusion of art and cutting-edge technologies, the museum offers visitors a unique and immersive experience with the debut of the international exhibition tour, ‘Shiota Chiharu: The Soul Trembles’.
