Shenzhen Museum深圳博物馆
Shenzhen Museum, the city's largest comprehensive museum, occupies the east wing of the Civic Center in Futian District — the best place to understand Shenzhen's history and its reform-and-opening journey. Its collection of some 20,000 objects is strong in pre-Qin bronzes, ceramics through the dynasties, local Shenzhen finds and precious documents of the reform era. Admission is free, and permanent shows include the Ancient Shenzhen exhibition and the History of Reform and Opening-Up — a window onto the city's past and present.
Shenzhen · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Shenzhen Museum worth visiting?
Shenzhen's largest comprehensive museum, free with ID or reservation, covering ancient history and the reform era — the best single introduction to the city, past and present. Allow 2-3 hours.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Free (ID card or advance reservation required) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30); closed Mondays except statutory holidays |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Year-round; a fine refuge from the summer heat; winter offers the most comfortable visit |
| How to get there | Metro Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center, Exit B, then about 5 minutes on foot; buses 41 or 60 to the Civic Center stop |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Collection | About 20,000 objects |
| Location | Civic Center, Futian District |
| Grade | National Grade-II museum |
| Specialty | Reform and opening-up history exhibitions |
| Admission | Free |
What to expect
Shenzhen Museum, in the east wing of the Civic Center in Futian District, opened in 2008 as the city's largest comprehensive museum. Together with the Civic Center, the library and the concert hall it forms Shenzhen's cultural core. The collection of about 20,000 objects spans pre-Qin to modern times, with pre-Qin bronzes, dynastic ceramics, artifacts excavated in Shenzhen and precious documents of the reform era as its strengths. Some 12,000 sq m of galleries hold the permanent exhibitions — Ancient Shenzhen, the History of Reform and Opening-Up and Shenzhen Local Artifacts — tracing the region from deep antiquity to the present.
The Ancient Shenzhen exhibition runs chronologically from the Neolithic through the Ming and Qing, spotlighting the area's administrative evolution (as Bao'an County), its coastal-defense culture and its lychee growing. The History of Reform and Opening-Up is the museum's most distinctive show: through objects, photographs and documents it follows Shenzhen from the founding of the Shekou industrial zone in 1979 to today's modern international city — a miniature witness to China's national strategy. The "Shenzhen speed" materials and the hammer from the first land auction are key sources for understanding China's economic rise.
Visiting tips: take a docent tour or the audio guide to get beneath the surface of the exhibits. The air conditioning is strong — bring a light layer in summer. The museum sits next to the Civic Center, the library and Lianhua Mountain Park, all combinable in one outing; dining clusters around the Civic Center. Closed Mondays (except statutory holidays) — plan accordingly.
How to get there
Shenzhen Metro Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center, Exit B, about 5 minutes on foot. Line 1 to Convention & Exhibition Center, about 10 minutes on foot. Buses 41, 60, 76 and 371 stop at the Civic Center. About 15 minutes by Line 4 from Shenzhen North station.
Best photo spots
- The museum exterior within the Civic Center ensemble
- The entrance to the Reform and Opening-Up history exhibition
- Precious historical artifacts
- The documents of Shenzhen's first land auction
- The museum atrium
Tips
- Entry is free but reserve ahead on the official platform; book 2-3 days out for holidays
- Closed Mondays — plan around it
- Take a docent tour or the audio guide
- Pair with the Civic Center, Lianhua Mountain and the library
Scams to avoid
- No major scams to worry about
Frequently asked questions
Does Shenzhen Museum require reservations?
Yes — entry is free but reservation is required, via the official WeChat account or on-site with an ID card.
Is Shenzhen Museum the same as the Shenzhen History Museum?
No. Shenzhen Museum is comprehensive, holding both the ancient-history and reform-era exhibitions. There is a separate Shenzhen History Museum at Dongmen with a different remit.
How long does a visit take?
About 2-3 hours; the core exhibitions reward about 2 hours of close looking.
What is near the museum?
The Civic Center, Shenzhen Library and Lianhua Mountain Park are all within walking distance — easy to combine.
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Happy Valley Shenzhen
Shenzhen's best-known amusement park, home of the Snow Dragon coaster — once Asia's longest — across 10 themed zones. Tickets about CNY 230; a hit with families and young travelers.
Longgang Waterfall
A natural waterfall in eastern Shenzhen, about 30-40 m high and fed by Qiniang Mountain. Free and open all day, fullest June-September; allow 2-4 hours via bus E11 and M232.
Meilin Temple
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Coastal Farmland (Haishang Tianyuan)
Shenzhen's largest eco-agriculture park, pairing farmhouse fun with water activities. Admission about CNY 60 — fishing, fruit picking and hands-on farm experiences for the whole family.
Nanshan Book City
One of Shenzhen's largest bookstores at about 20,000 sqm, mixing reading, creative goods, coffee and exhibitions; free entry, open 10:00-22:00, no minimum spend to sit.
Splendid China & Chinese Folk Culture Village
One of Shenzhen's best-known theme parks: miniature landmarks plus ethnic folk shows. Tickets about CNY 220 — tour China's famous sights in a day, with lively village performances. Great for families.
Shenzhen Safari Park
Shenzhen's only large safari park, rich in species, with a vehicle zone for close-up animal encounters. Admission around CNY 180; a firm favorite for family trips.
Sea World Shenzhen
Shenzhen's waterfront leisure landmark around the Minghua cruise ship; free entry, bar street from about 11:00 to 02:00, on Metro Line 2 at Sea World Station.
Shenzhen Bay Park
Shenzhen's most beautiful waterfront park — free entry, about 15 km of coastline for cycling, birdwatching and gazing across at Hong Kong. Superb sunsets and a hugely popular photo spot.
Window of the World
One of Shenzhen's best-known theme parks: a miniature world of scaled-down landmarks — the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, pyramids and more. Tickets about CNY 220; great for families.
Overseas Chinese Town East (OCT East)
Shenzhen's best-known hillside resort park, pairing Knight Valley thrill rides with Tea Stream Valley tea gardens. Entry from CNY 200; the forest train is the signature ride — good for families.
Xili Lake
Shenzhen's largest man-made lake, ringed by a roughly 30 km greenway made for cycling, with birdwatching and fishing along the way. Free to enter, next door to Shenzhen Safari Park.