A Time Capsule in Shenzhen – A Comprehensive Guide to Shenzhen Museum

Founded in 1981, Shenzhen Museum is a national first-class comprehensive museum, consisting of four venues that together tell the story of Shenzhen from ancient times to the modern era. More than just a cultural institution, it’s a window into the city’s soul, blending history, art, and revolutionary memory.

The Museum of History and Folk Culture (Jintian Road Venue), located in Area A of the Civic Center, is a must-visit. Its “Ancient Shenzhen” exhibition uses over 500 cultural relics to trace 7,000 years of human settlement, while the “History of Reform and Opening-Up” exhibition showcases more than 2,000 artifacts, recalling Shenzhen’s pioneering spirit. The folk Culture exhibition highlights Cantonese and Hakka traditions, and the World Wildlife Specimen Exhibition is perfect for family visits.

The Museum of Ancient Art (Tongxin Road Venue), adjacent to Litchi Park, is one of the “Top Ten Historic Buildings of Shenzhen’s Reform and Opening-Up”. Renovated in 2020, it focuses on bronze and ceramic artifacts. Exhibitions like “Bronze Ages” and “Journey of Ceramics” present a concise history of Chinese ceramics and bronzes, with the current “Colorful Pottery Galaxy” exhibition featuring prehistoric pottery from the Xiantouling Culture.

The Shenzhen Reform and Opening-Up Exhibition Hall, built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up, hosts the “Tides Surge Along the Pearl River” exhibition. Covering 6,300 square meters, it displays thousands of exhibits, from the Shekou Mountain-Blasting Cannon to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area model, showcasing Guangdong’s development. The Dongjiang River Guerrilla Command Headquarters Memorial Hall, housed in a former Republic of China restaurant, honors General Ye Ting’s anti-Japanese efforts.

Practical Information: All venues are open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-18:00 (last entry at 17:30, closed on Mondays). The Jintian Road Venue is accessible via Metro Line 2/4 to Civic Center Station, Exit B. Services include guided tours, mother-and-baby rooms, and storage. Regular events like “Shenzhen Museum Academy” and “Shenzhen Museum Night” enhance the visiting experience.