Dawanshi Ju: Echoes of Time in a Hakka Enclosed House

I always thought Shenzhen’s fast pace could not accommodate centuries of time, until I walked into Dawanshi Ju in Pingshan and stumbled upon the softest background of this city. This 220-year-old square Hakka enclosed house stands like a silent giant, with the ancestral hall as its axis, and nine main streets and eighteen courtyards weaving a web of years. On the weathered blue brick walls, ivy vines blend with the colors of indigo-dyed fabrics. The fire dragon dance props in the folk custom exhibition hall glow dark red under the light, as if the gongs and drums of festival celebrations can be heard echoing through time and space.

The most touching part is the tranquility deep in the enclosed house. Elderly people sit on the thresholds preparing vegetables, children chase each other in the courtyards, and sunlight filters through carved window lattices, casting fragmented light and shadow on the bluestone slabs. There are no noisy tour guide horns here, only the gentle rustle of wind blowing over the eaves tiles and occasional conversations in Hakka dialect. When my fingers brush the rough texture of the rammed earth walls, I realize that Shenzhen’s history is not only about skyscrapers—those family stories hidden in the enclosed house are also the roots of this city.

Practical Information

• Address: No. 33, Dawan Road, Malian Street, Pingshan District, Shenzhen
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday 09:00–12:00, 14:00–17:30; Saturday – Sunday 09:00–17:30; Closed on Mondays
• Admission: Free, no reservation required