1 Day Shenzhen Cultural Tour

At around 9:00, your private guide and driver will meet you at your self-booked hotel in downtown Shenzhen and then accompany you in our private vehicle to Shenzhen Museum, a national first-grade museum offering a fascinating glimpse into local history and folk customs. Admire Neolithic shell money, centuries-old fishing-boat models, and red dragon-and-phoenix gowns for Cantonese traditional weddings on the second floor, each of which tells the story of how Shenzhen developed from a small fishing village to a modern metropolis. Also, with replicas of old factory buildings, time-yellowed documents, and the classic slogan “Time is money, efficiency is life”, you can truly feel the city’s pioneering spirit since China opened to the world in 1978.
► Note: The museum is closed on Mondays.

Next, we’ll dive into the 1,700-year-old Nantou Ancient Town. Originally a key political and military hub along China’s southern coast, it has since transformed into a charming cultural and creative district. Walk along its flagstone paths, once trodden by garrison troops, and a legendary Chinese commander who, in the late 13th century, refused to surrender to the invading Mongol army and died a heroic death, and you’ll feel the weight of centuries beneath your feet. As you gaze at the time-worn plaque of the South Gate inscribed with “the Stronghold in Southern China”, your guide will recount the town’s tumultuous history of coastal defense. Further inside, you’ll unexpectedly discover the old quietly fusing with the new: puffs of mellow coffee aroma waft from century-old houses beside the gray-walled, green-tiled Dongguan Guild Hall; incense curls slowly upward from the Temple of Gratitude , while the warm glow of a chic designer boutique spills over next door.

After an hour-long drive, we’ll reach the Dafen Oil Painting Village, hailed as “China’s Premier Oil Painting Village”, which evolved from a humble farming community. As you meander down narrow winding lanes laden with piles of picture frames and pigment jars, you’ll find each studio unfolding like an open treasure box. Inside, dynamic impressionist brushstrokes come alive on the canvas, while realist artworks evoke the nostalgia akin to browsing a vintage photo album. Even impromptu creations by street artists carry an untouched sincerity. Lingering notes of turpentine mingle with the subtle bitterness of paint, immersing you in a distinctive artistic aura like no other.

★ Special Inclusion: Hands-on Oil Painting or Pottery-making Experience

Here, your guide will invite you into an art studio for an unforgettable DIY experience. You’ll have two creative options to choose from, both with expert guidance. If you opt for oil painting, you’ll sketch the outline and blend colors, watching the blank canvas get adorned little by little with your own hues. Or, if you prefer pottery-making: feel the damp clay in your hands and observe how it takes shape from scratch as the potter’s wheel spins slowly.

Let’s then continue to the Hehu New Residence, one of China’s largest remaining Hakka walled villages and Shenzhen’s best-preserved and most representative among its over 300 such villages. Dubbed the “Jews of the East”, the Hakka people have long lived in tight-knit groups and built their lives through hard work. Erected in 1736 and completed over 40 years later by three generations of a local Hakka merchant clan, this enclosed complex is the very best testament to their enduring legacy. As you cross the open space and look upon this 6-meter-high (20-foot-high) inner compound beside a mirror-like semicircular pond, you can hardly imagine it once held over 1,000 people. Venture into the deep alleyways and marvel at a 3D labyrinth of interwoven houses and linked corridors. Touch the thick, rugged walls, crafted from a special mix of soil, lime, sand, and glutinous rice reputedly used to enhance sturdiness. Look closely, and you’ll spot hidden gun ports carved into the walls, offering a profound insight into the Hakka philosophy of self-protection.

Our last stop will be Gankeng Hakka Town, a rare 350-year-old getaway for urbanites amid downtown Shenzhen. You’ll first be welcomed by a typical old Hakka quarter, where cobblestone paths lined with oil-paper umbrellas connect quaint Hakka houses adorned with animal-head-shaped bronze door knockers. For perfect photo ops, head to secluded lanes, creative mural walls, and ancient trees draped with blessing red ribbons and wooden plaques left by visitors. Along the Sweet Alley, delight in a myriad of yummy local delicacies including sweet green rice balls wrapped in fresh moxa leaves and stuffed with sesame-peanut or red bean paste, as well as Hakka noodles seasoned with scallion and hot oil. Besides, visit the bullet-scarred Gankeng Watchtower and Phoenix Valley, home to four elegant ancient mansions with horse-head gables and grey-tiled roofs.

At last, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. Hope you’ve had a pleasant day with us! If you’re interested in Shenzhen’s cutting-edge tech highlights, from DJI drones to driverless metro, we’re always ready to tailor a personalized itinerary for you.