Shenzhen has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in urban history. Over the past three decades, the once-rural fishing village has evolved into a metropolis for tech and export activities. Despite the metamorphosis, the city still carries the reputation of being a stopover. Unbeknownst to many, Shenzhen’s arts scene has been flourishing for the last few years, with a flux of new coffee houses, galleries and performing spaces popping up left and right. Here’s our guide to the city’s most noteworthy spots.
See Some Art (and Pose with It, Too)
The nerve centre for the city’s creativity is OCT LOFT Creative Culture Park, a sprawling cluster of buildings repurposed from an industrial site. Now an enclave for local fashion designers, furniture shops and coffee houses, the artistic complex is ideal for whiling away the afternoon. Connecting the graffiti-covered buildings are pavements lined with luscious greenery and sprinkled with intriguing murals and sculptures. It’s not surprising that the venue often play host to jazz concerts and movie screenings. Stop by PP Design Gallery to pick up eclectic home goods from revered brands such as Seletti, HAY and Tom Dixon.
OCT LOFT Creative Culture Park, Kaiping St, Shenzhen, China
Taste All of China
Shenzhen is very much an immigrant city, and the influx of people from different parts of China means many regional Chinese cuisines are all available here. Not to be missed is Huaiyang cuisine — a school of cooking originating from Jiangsu province that prizes knife skills and intricate plating. A great place to experience this cooking style is the chic bistro Shang Garden, where the disciplined execution and presentation are meant to impress.
Shang Garden, 4088 Yi Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, China; +86 755 8828 4088
Hit up the Hottest Art Space in Town
Though still relatively under-the-radar, Artron Art Centre is quickly becoming one of Shenzhen’s premier artistic landmarks. The complex, which opened its doors in 2015, houses the world’s largest art library with over 120,000 related books in 10 different languages. The centre is a hybrid between a library, gallery and museum, with an invaluable collection of calligraphy, paintings and photographers from some of China’s most important contemporary artists. The most awe-inspiring feature is the Atron Wall, in which the seemingly endless wall — spanning 50 metres wide and 30 metres tall — is covered with 50,000 books about art.
Artron Art Centre Shenzhen, 19 Shenyun Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China; +86 755 86083056
Get Your Culture Vulture on
Tucked behind one of the industrial buildings at OCT LOFT is Old Heaven Books, a beloved independent bookstore café. Every city has a bookstore and coffee shop favoured by the intellectual set, and Old Heaven is both. Racks upon racks of books on architecture and design are squeezed behind vintage cassette tapes and vinyl records. The crowded café area has walls lined with even more books, and the space looks charmingly dishevelled with mismatched furniture and vintage electronics.
Old Heaven Books, Room 120, Block A5 OCT-LOFT, Huaqiaocheng, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China; +86 755 8614 8090
Rest Your Head in Style
Standing 40 stories high, the sleek Futian Shangri-La Hotel slices a sharp silhouette amongst cookie cutter commercial buildings in the area. Beyond just a comfortable place to spend the night, staying at the hotel was a riveting experience of Eastern-inspired luxury. From the lacquered mahogany furniture to the intricately embroidered fabric headboards, the spacious rooms had the finishing touches of modern chinoiserie.
Futian Shangri-La Hotel, 4088 Yi Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, China; +86 755 8828 4088
This post originally appeared on the website of our sister publication, Hong Kong Tatler.
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