Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

SHENZHEN is set to host several events during the 2024 Spring Festival, providing an array of experiences for locals and visitors alike. The festive offerings encompass visually stunning light shows, refreshing public artworks, elaborate dragon installations, engaging contemporary art exhibitions, enlightening ancient artifact displays, and delightful new parks for exploration.

Light shows

Central Futian light shows

On Feb. 9-17, people can immerse themselves in Shenzhen’s signature light shows on the facades of Civic Center and 46 adjacent buildings in central Futian. The shows will begin at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. every night, with each lasting 20 minutes. In the shows, viewers will feel Shenzhen’s unique allure in scenes depicting cutting-edge advancements in new energy vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, a majestic dragon will roam through the projections, soaring into the sky. Scenes illustrating the connection between mountains and the sea will portray the coexistence of humans and nature in Shenzhen.

Recommended locations to watch the light shows include Civic Center Square (市民中心广场), the top of Lianhua Hill (莲花山顶), outside Children’s Palace (少年宫), Yitian Road (益田路), and Jintian Road (金田路).

Metro: Line 2, 3, or 11 to Futian Station (福田站); Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站); Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center Station (市民中心站)

Huaqiangbei light show

Now through Feb. 25, people can stroll along Huaqiangbei Pedestrian Street to admire national-level intangible cultural heritage lanterns from Zigong, Luoyang, the Chaoshan area, Fuzhou, and Huangshan’s She County, as well as lanterns in the style of those used in the Forbidden City.

Venue: Huaqiangbei Pedestrian Street (华强北步行街)

Metro: Line 2 or 7 to Huaqiang North Station (华强北站), Exit E1

Exhibitions

Print art

The “Carved Into Wood” exhibition features 260 prints created by Chinese master Huang Yongyu (1924-2023) from the 1940s to the 1990s. Another exhibition running through March 11 showcases the works of esteemed masters spanning from the late 19th century to the present day. And the award-winning prints of the Guanlan International Print Biennial (2007-2023) are also on display. The museum is closed Feb. 10-11.

Venue: China Printmaking Museum, Longhua District (中国版画博物馆)

Booking: WeChat account “GL_PRINTS”

Metro: Line 4 to Niuhu Station (牛湖站), Exit B

Gaudi exhibition

Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), architect and ingenious creator, made his mark on Spain at the turn of the 20th century and continues to fascinate today. Now, Shenzheners can experience his genius at the “Exposicion Sonora Gaudi” exhibition Feb. 14-May 19. The ticketed exhibition showcases his sculptures, collections from the Gaudi House Museum, and imposing installations.

Venue: Sky Museum, 48/F, Media Financial Center, Futian District (广电金融中心48楼天空美术馆)

Metro: Line 2, 3 or 11 to Futian Station (福田站), Exit 32

Paintings, modern art

Visitors can admire Chinese revolutionary and artist He Xiangning’s classic flower, animal, and landscape paintings at an exhibition running through May 5. Meanwhile, 16 overseas Chinese artists are showcasing their works at another exhibition running through March 24. These artists, who have embraced different countries and cultures in their lives, provide fresh and diverse perspectives. The art museum is closed Feb. 9.

Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (何香凝美术馆)

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C

Artworks, architecture

Chinese artist and researcher Pan Lusheng is exhibiting his artworks, designs, and 40 years of field research on traditional Chinese folk art at an exhibition running through Feb. 25. Meanwhile, Shenzhen artist Zhou Li is showcasing her abstract paintings created from 2001 to 2023 at the “Rose of Light” exhibition running through March 13. Visitors can also explore the design concepts and architectural features of some of Shenzhen’s new cultural landmarks at an exhibition running through May 5. The art museum is closed Feb. 9.

Venue: Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, Futian District (深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit A2

Fun places

Zhongying Street

Zhongying Street (or Chung Ying Street), a 250-meter-long lane with a unique historical identity, straddling the border between the mainland and Hong Kong, has been renovated recently. The street’s entry time has been extended to 10 p.m., featuring new restaurants and stores such as Beauty Lab, Goat, Pastelaria Yeng Kee and Mak Man Kee.

Shoppers can select festive snacks, decorations, gifts, and trendy goods from Hong Kong and the mainland, while enjoying handicrafts and Shatoujiao Fish Lantern Dances. They can also explore the street’s rich history at the Zhongying Street Historical Museum (中英街历史博物馆) which opens 10 a.m.-10 p.m. during the Spring Festival.

Metro: Line 8 to Shatoujiao Station (沙头角站), Exit A and then take bus B619 or 68

Flower fair

A kind of Chinese New Year bell-shaped flower, Enkianthus quinqueflorus Lour. is in full bloom and visitors can admire a breathtaking sea of the pink flowers at Enshang Wetland on Wutong Mountain through Feb. 24. Along the mountain trails, hikers can take a break at the newly opened Wutong Pavilion, inspired by the delicate dandelion, offering a serene spot to savor coffee, grab a light meal, or immerse in a good read.

Venue: Wutong Mountain Forest Parlor, Yantian District (梧桐山森林会客厅)

Metro: Line 8 to Haishan Station (海山站), Exit B and then take a shuttle bus called “山海专线”

Public art on Baywalk

People can delight in the sound and light installations and diverse artworks created by 11 artists along the 2-kilometer-long Baywalk bridge. These creations provide a sensory and artistic journey, inviting visitors to interact with the thought-provoking artworks that reflect the artists’ perspectives on nature, time, and technology.

Venue: The Baywalk bridge, Bao’an District (滨海廊桥)

Metro: Line 11 to Bao’an Station (宝安站), Exit C; Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit D

B.Duck

Those who missed to see Florentijn Hofman’s giant yellow duck on Shenzhen Bay last month can check out similar yellow ducks now floating on Yueliang Bay. Designed by the local brand B.Duck, the new ducks include four floating on the sea and a 12-meter-tall one on a square. What makes the giant one unique is that it wears a cartoonish kylin cloak.

Visitors can take photos with the ducks against the stunning ocean backdrop through Feb. 25, and explore a festive market Feb. 10-14.

Venue: Yueliang Bay, Dapeng New Area (大鹏新区月亮湾)

Buses: E11, 833, M231, M232

‘Roar of Splendor’

Among the numerous dragon decorations and installations across the city, a mecha armor dragon at The MixC should not be missed. Titled “Roar of Splendor,” the sculpture, created by young Chinese artist Bi Heng, features a T-rex and a Chinese dragon entwined. The creation merges a traditional Chinese folklore image of two dragons playing with a pearl, this time in the form of Earth, resulting in a futurist presentation.

Venue: The MixC, Luohu District (深圳万象城)

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit F