Shenzhen Museum

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The Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆), located in the Futian District (福田区) of Shenzhen (深圳市), Guangdong Province, is a comprehensive local museum. It covers an area of 37,000 square meters and has a building area of over 60,000 square meters. The museum is managed by the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Film, Television, Tourism, and Sports (深圳市文化广电旅游体育局). It is divided into four main sections: the History and Folklore Hall (历史民俗馆), Ancient Art Gallery (古代艺术馆), the Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post (东江游击队指挥部) site, and the Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall (深圳改革开放展览馆). These sections collectively integrate the functions of collection, preservation, research, exhibition, and education.

The Shenzhen Museum was founded in 1981 and officially opened in 1988. In 2008, it was renamed Shenzhen Museum. As of the end of 2019, the museum’s collection includes 23,447 items (sets), with 5,435 items (sets) being valuable cultural relics. The museum hosted 37 exhibitions and conducted 136 educational activities, attracting 3.83 million visitors.

Key Facts:

• Name: Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆)

• Location: 6 Tongxin Road, Futian District, Shenzhen (深圳市福田区深南中路同心路6号)

• Area: 37,000 m²

• Building Area: 65,172 m²

• Total Collection: 19,613 items (sets)

• Valuable Relics: 5,456 items (sets)

• Annual Visitors: 733,713 people

• Opening Hours:

  • History and Folklore Hall & Ancient Art Gallery: 10:00 – 18:00

  • Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall: 10:30 – 17:30

  • Closed on Mondays, open during important holidays, and closed on the first day after major holidays.

• Ticket Price: Free Entry

History of Shenzhen Museum

The Shenzhen Museum was officially established in October 1981 by the Shenzhen Municipal Planning Committee (深圳市编制委员会), and was initially named the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Museum (深圳市经济特区博物馆). It was later renamed to Shenzhen Museum in 1988.

• 1981: The Shenzhen Museum project was approved and initiated.

• 1984: The construction of the museum’s main building began, and preparations for exhibits and collection started.

• 1988: The Shenzhen Museum was completed and opened to the public.

• 1995: The Shenzhen Museum was designated as a Patriotism Education Base by the Shenzhen Municipal Committee.

• 2008: The museum was renamed Shenzhen Museum.

• 2012: The Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post (东江游击队指挥部) was added to the museum’s collection.

• 2017: The Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post (东江游击队指挥部) site was renovated and opened to the public.

• 2018: The Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall (深圳改革开放展览馆) was opened.

Key Exhibitions and Collections

• Ancient Art Gallery (古代艺术馆): Opened in 1988, it showcases a rich collection of ancient Chinese art.

• History and Folklore Hall (历史民俗馆): Opened in 2008, it focuses on the historical and cultural evolution of Shenzhen, with a special emphasis on local folklore.

• Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post (东江游击队指挥部): This site commemorates the headquarters of the Dongjiang Guerrilla Group during the Chinese War of Resistance.

• Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall (深圳改革开放展览馆): Opened in 2018, it highlights the city’s transformation during China’s reform and opening-up period.

Digitalization and Modern Developments

In 2024, the museum launched its digital collection database (藏品数字库), enabling easier access to its treasures. The Shenzhen Museum was also included in the list of national public cultural institutions in March 2025.

Visitor Experience

The Shenzhen Museum offers an immersive experience for visitors with its wide variety of exhibitions. Its extensive collection, from ancient relics to contemporary artifacts, offers an insightful look into the development of Shenzhen (深圳市), the special economic zone (经济特区), and its role in China’s modern history.

Key Exhibitions to Explore:

1. The History of Shenzhen: Learn about the rapid transformation of Shenzhen from a small fishing village to a modern metropolis.

2. Chinese Ancient Art: Explore masterpieces from ancient dynasties and gain insight into China’s artistic evolution.

3. The Reform Era: Discover how China’s reform policies have shaped Shenzhen into the bustling global city it is today.

Architectural Layout

Overview

The Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆) is divided into several key sections, including the History and Folklore Hall (历史民俗馆), Ancient Art Gallery (古代艺术馆), Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post (东江游击队指挥部) site, and the Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall (深圳改革开放展览馆). The museum covers an area of 37,000 square meters with a building area of over 60,000 square meters. The museum is composed of four main buildings: an exhibition hall, office building, artifact storage, and an audio-visual hall, all forming a modern and functional architectural complex.

The exhibition hall serves as the central building of the museum. The front square of the exhibition hall is large and includes the famous “Charging” (闯) bronze sculpture, a well-known symbol of Shenzhen (深圳市). The audio-visual hall is located at the southeast corner of the exhibition building.

Exhibition Hall

The exhibition hall is the core of the museum, covering four floors and standing 24 meters tall. It faces a 6,800-square-meter plaza, which gradually slopes down towards Shennan Middle Road (深南中路). The exterior of the exhibition hall is constructed with light yellow imitation Taishan brick, complemented by granite carvings depicting ancient agricultural and warfare scenes on both sides of the main entrance. Inside the exhibition hall, there are 32 exhibition rooms, spread across four levels, covering a total area of 3,500 square meters.

The hall’s central atrium, 600 square meters in size, is topped with tempered tea-colored hollow glass, providing natural lighting. The hall is equipped with modern facilities, including central air conditioning, various types of lighting, security systems, and an automatic alarm system.

Audio-Visual Hall (视听厅)

The audio-visual hall occupies 400 square meters in the southeast corner of the exhibition building. It features a 200-seat conference room equipped with modern audio-visual equipment, including video, projection, and sound systems. The hall is designed for multi-functional academic activities and also houses an emergency small generator for backup power.

Exhibitions and Collections

The museum hosts nine permanent exhibitions located in different sections. Additionally, the museum organizes over 900 special exhibitions annually, focusing on important cultural and historical topics. Notable exhibits have included priceless artifacts such as the Four Sheep Square Zun (四羊方尊), the Golden Cloak of Jade (金缕玉衣), the Terracotta Army (秦始皇兵马俑), the Sword of King Goujian (越王勾践剑), and other masterpieces from around the world.

Ancient Art Gallery (古代艺术馆)

Ceramic Exhibition (问陶之旅)

The ceramics exhibition in the Ancient Art Gallery showcases a collection of ceramics gathered through museum exchanges, donations, and legal transfers. The exhibition spans from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties, illustrating the role of ceramics in society and cultural exchanges over time.

Bronze Art Exhibition (吉金春秋)

This exhibition focuses on the history of bronze artifacts, which date back over 6,000 years to the discovery of bronze in China. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, bronze was used not only for weapons and ritual vessels but also as symbols of political power. The exhibit highlights the evolution of bronze works from ceremonial objects to everyday items.

History and Folklore Hall

Ancient Shenzhen Exhibition

The Ancient Shenzhen Exhibition explores 7,000 years of human development in Shenzhen (深圳市), with displays that highlight early settlements, marine economy, and the history of migration. The exhibition spans over 1,700 years of city history and showcases artifacts from the region’s cultural and economic milestones, including the marine defense (海防) history and migration of Guangfu (广府) and Hakka (客家) communities.

Modern Shenzhen Exhibition

The Modern Shenzhen Exhibition focuses on the transformation of Shenzhen from the Opium War (鸦片战争) to its liberation. Divided into sections such as “Resistance Against British Colonialism” and “Shenzhen’s Liberation”, the exhibit explores political, military, and social changes, with a particular focus on the region’s historical role in national events.

Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up History Exhibition

Located on the third floor of the History and Folklore Hall, this exhibition traces Shenzhen’s evolution as a Special Economic Zone (经济特区), starting from 1978, and emphasizes the role of Shenzhen (深圳市) in China’s economic reform and opening-up policies.

Special Exhibitions

Wildlife Specimen Exhibition

This exhibition, featuring a collection of 82 species of wildlife specimens donated by Kenneth Eugene Beilin (美国著名慈善家肯尼斯·尤金·贝林), includes rare species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), such as polar bears, African elephants, cheetahs, and giraffes. The 800-square-meter exhibition hall features ecosystems like grasslands, forests, deserts, and the Arctic.

Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post Site (东江游击队指挥部旧址)

This historical site commemorates the Dongjiang Guerrilla Group (东江游击队), a resistance movement during the Second Sino-Japanese War (抗日战争). The museum section focuses on General Ye Ting (叶挺将军) and his involvement in Shenzhen’s wartime history. The exhibition includes historical photos, documents, and replicas of important wartime artifacts.

Ye Ting and Shenzhen Exhibition (叶挺将军与深圳)

Located at the Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post (东江游击队指挥部), this exhibition recounts General Ye Ting’s (叶挺将军) time in Shenzhen during the Anti-Japanese War, with exhibits highlighting his military career and his contribution to Shenzhen’s wartime efforts.

Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall (深圳改革开放展览馆)

The Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall (深圳改革开放展览馆) presents the Reform and Opening-up (改革开放) process, emphasizing the significant role Shenzhen (深圳市) played as an experimental zone and the rapid transformation from a fishing village into a modern metropolis.

Collection of Cultural Relics

As of the end of 2019, the Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆) has a collection of 23,447 items (sets), including 5,435 precious cultural relics (sets). The museum houses a rich collection that spans various historical periods, including artifacts from the Neolithic (新石器时代) through to the Ming (明朝) and Qing (清朝) dynasties.

Highlights of the Collection

Three-Sectioned God and Human Pattern Mirror (三段区段式神人纹镜)

• Period: Northern Dynasties (北朝), 386–581 CE

• Diameter: 17.5 cm, Thickness: 0.4 cm

• This circular mirror features intricate patterns divided into three sections, including a depiction of Xuanwu (玄武), the tortoise deity, with multiple attendants surrounding the central figure of a seated god. The outer section has inscriptions related to the mirror’s use.

Longquan Kiln Brown-glazed Mei Vase with Stand (龙泉窑褐彩连座梅瓶)

• Period: Yuan Dynasty (元朝), 1279–1368 CE

• Height: 16.7 cm, Mouth diameter: 3.5 cm, Base diameter: 4.7 cm

• This Mei vase has an elegant design with a detachable base, brown-glazed floral decoration, and a unique hollow design at the base, making it a masterpiece of Longquan kiln (龙泉窑) pottery.

Bird-patterned Tripod Cauldron (鸟纹鼎)

• Period: Western Zhou Dynasty (西周), 1100–771 BCE

• Height: 41.5 cm, Mouth diameter: 42 cm

• Found at the Guo Kingdom Tomb (虢国墓地) in Sanmenxia, this vessel is used for cooking and ritual purposes. It features strong, sturdy lines and bold, fluid bird patterns, indicative of Zhou dynasty (周朝) ceremonial objects.

Brown-glazed Peony-pattern Mei Vase (褐彩牡丹纹梅瓶)

• Period: Yuan Dynasty (元朝), 1279–1386 CE

• Height: 36.6 cm, Mouth diameter: 6.5 cm, Base diameter: 14.3 cm

• Excavated from Nantou Houhai (南头后海), this Mei vase is decorated with detailed peony patterns and is a fine example of Guangdong (广东) ceramic art in the Yuan period.

Jade Pig-Dragon Pendant (玉石猪龙)

• Period: Neolithic Red Mountain Culture (新石器时代红山文化), approx. 5000 years ago

• Length: 6 cm, Width: 5.2 cm, Thickness: 1 cm

• This pendant, made from deep brown jade, depicts a circular, curved dragon with finely carved eyes and body details, representing the craftsmanship of the Red Mountain Culture (红山文化) in Inner Mongolia (内蒙古).

Double-animal-head Jade Carving (双兽首玉石雕)

• Period: Neolithic Red Mountain Culture (新石器时代红山文化), approx. 5000 years ago

• Length: 7.2 cm, Width: 3.9 cm

• A beautifully carved jade pendant in greenish jade, depicting two animal heads, representative of the symbolic art of Inner Mongolia (内蒙古).

“Multiplication Table” Inscribed Clay Brick (九九乘法口诀刻文陶砖)

• Dimensions: 37 cm x 17 cm x 4 cm

• This ancient inscribed clay brick showcases the multiplication table, reflecting early educational tools from the Eastern Han Dynasty (东汉).

Cultural Activities

Academic Research

Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆) is one of the city’s major research institutions, specializing in local history, archaeology, museum studies, and the study of cultural heritage. It has published important works such as “Ancient History of Shenzhen” (深圳古代简史), “Modern History of Shenzhen” (深圳近代简史), and “The Development History of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone” (深圳经济特区创业史).

Key Activities

In 2013, the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Pinda (坦桑尼亚总理米增戈·平达), visited the Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up History Exhibition (深圳改革开放史展览). Similarly, Micronesian President Manuel Manny Mori (密克罗尼西亚总统伊曼纽尔·曼尼·莫里) and several other prominent international leaders visited the museum during the year, further cementing its role as a global cultural hub.

In 2022, the museum collaborated with the Yunnan Provincial Museum (云南省博物馆) and other partners to present the “Mystery of the Ancient Dian Kingdom – Bronze Culture Exhibition” (谜踪之国——云南古滇国青铜文化展) in its Ancient Art Gallery (古代艺术馆), showcasing ancient artifacts from the Dian Kingdom (滇国).

Awards and Honors

In 1995, the Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆) was designated as a Patriotic Education Base (爱国主义教育基地) by the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee (深圳市委). In 2012, it was recognized as a National First-Class Museum (国家一级博物馆).

In 2023, it was included in the Top 100 Most Popular Museums in China (全国热搜博物馆百强榜单).

Museum Facilities

Overview

The Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆) is a public institution fully funded by the Shenzhen Municipal Finance Bureau (深圳市财政局), focusing on cultural preservation, education, and research.

Personnel

The museum employs 139 staff members, including 78 technical staff with intermediate or higher qualifications. The current leadership includes Director Huang Chen (馆长黄琛), along with vice-directors Cai Huiyao (副馆长蔡惠尧), Du Juan (副馆长杜鹃), and Cui Xiaosong (副馆长崔孝松).

Visitor Information

Location

• History and Folklore Hall: Located at Futian District, Shenzhen (福田区福中路市民中心A区)

• Ancient Art Gallery: Located at 6 Tongxin Road, Shenzhen (广东省深圳市福田区同心路6号)

• Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post Site: Located at 13 Nanqing Street, Shenzhen (广东省深圳市罗湖区南庆街13号) [Temporarily closed]

• Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall: Located at 184 Fuzhong Road, Shenzhen (广东省深圳市福田区福中路184号)

Transportation

• Ancient Art Gallery:

  • Metro: Science Museum Station (1, 6 lines), Grand Theater Station (1, 2 lines), Hongling South Station (9 line)

  • Bus: Government Station (12, 23), News Building Station (8)

• History and Folklore Hall:

  • Metro: Civic Center Station B Exit (2, 4 lines)

  • Bus: Civic Center East Station (34, 38, 60, etc.)

• Dongjiang Guerrilla Command Post Site: Currently closed for renovation.

• Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall:

  • Metro: Youth Palace Station A2 Exit (3, 4 lines)

  • Bus: Youth Palace East Station (34, 41, 640, etc.)

Opening Hours

The Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆) is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays, with exceptions for national holidays.

• Special Access: Seniors, children, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, active military personnel, and those with foreign passports can access the museum via a special entrance.