Living in SZ | Museums extend opening hours for summer vacation

As Shenzhen’s school summer vacation has begun, local museums have extended their opening hours to accommodate the surge of visitors. Some now open every day, while all have waived prior reservations. Here are some recommended exhibitions at various locations for a culturally enriching summer adventure.

Shenzhen Museum’s History and Folk Culture Division 

An exhibition on Zhongshan State in the Warring States period (476-221 B.C.) showcases 175 pieces (sets) of relics excavated in North China's Hebei Province, unveiling the little-known history of this mysterious yet influential state. And “The Past and Present of Giant Pandas” displays fossils, specimens and models of giant pandas and coexisting animals, offering insights into their 8-million-year evolution.

Posters and photos from the event organizers

Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (every day through Aug. 30)

Entry: free, no reservations

Metro: Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center Station (市民中心站), Exit B

Shenzhen Museum’s Ancient Art Division 

Ceramic and porcelain pieces from the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), Song Dynasty (960-1279), Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), and Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) are on display until July 31. Another exhibition until July 28 highlights the splendor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), focusing on the princes in feudal domains.

Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (every day through Aug. 30)

Entry: free, no reservations

Metro: Line 9 to Hongling South Station (红岭南站), Exit A

Shenzhen Art Museum’s Longhua division

Explore a world of creativity through various free exhibitions showcasing paintings, sculptures, installations and photographic works.

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mondays

Entry: free, no reservations

Metro: Line 4 or 6 to Hongshan Station (红山站), Exit A1

Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning

Visitors can enjoy Xu Zhen’s striking artworks at the “Ecosystem as Medium” exhibition until Aug. 4, or appreciate Dai Yun’s contemporary sculptures and installations until Aug. 1. Both are ticketed exhibitions with various discounts.

Ticketing: WeChat miniprogram “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

Nanshan Museum

“The Inca and Their Tawantinsuyu: The Land of Four Quarters” exhibition, running until Aug. 11, features 168 pieces (sets) of relics from Peru, providing a glimpse into the Andean civilization. Another exhibition until Sept. 1 showcases 113 jade treasures from the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C.).

Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Tue.-Thu. and Sundays through Aug. 30), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Saturdays)

Entry: free, no reservations

Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B

He Xiangning Art Museum

Visitors are treated to a visual feast of 60 flower-and-bird paintings with vibrant colors, and elegant landscape paintings created by Yu Fei’an (1889-1959) at an exhibition running through Aug. 4.

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays

Entry: free, no reservations

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

Guan Shanyue Art Museum

Since last year, the Guan Shanyue Art Museum has extended its evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. In this summer, the art museum is holding several painting exhibitions, ranging from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to modern times, and Dunhuang-themed paintings.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tue.-Thu., Sundays); 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.)

Entry: free, no reservations

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit F2

Pingshan Art Museum

Thai artist Kantapon Metheekul, known as Gongkan, is exhibiting his works incorporating nature symbols until Oct. 8, representing freedom of expression and spirit.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays

Entry: free, no reservations

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Center Station (坪山中心站), Exit D2

Guangming Culture and Art Center

The free “Sci-Art Wonders” exhibition running until July 28 explores the intersection of science and art, igniting a passion for scientific exploration in youth through photos and short films.

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Entry: free, no reservations

Metro: Line 6 to Fenghuang Town Station (凤凰城站), Exit B

OCAT B10

Children can enjoy the International Illustration Exhibition and a poetry-themed interactive exhibition inspired by the animated movie “Chang An” for an entertaining and educational summer experience. Both are ticketed exhibitions with various discounts.

Metro: Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (侨城北站), Exit B

Sea World Culture and Arts Center

Fans of Alphonse Mucha should not miss an exhibition showcasing engravings, paintings, and sketches; the “Li Xiaoliang: At That Time This Moment” exhibition features Li’s unique photographic works; and young contemporary artist Zhou Yilun will open his "Summer Huts" on July 28. All are ticketed exhibitions with various discounts.

Metro: Line 2 or 12 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A

More exhibitions in Shenzhen:

Exhibitions pay tribute to Olympics, sports 百年奥运•文化交织——欧洲文化艺术季

Wander in Dalí’s surrealistic world 对画达利！体验沉浸式艺术展的光影幻境

Into the mind of a cat 冯唐“我是猫”艺术展

Revisit old Shenzhen in Zhang Xinmin’s photo exhibition张新民个展1979-2009