Explore centuries-old, art-adorned Jingkou Village

This winter, embark on a journey to the 800-year-old Jingkou Village in Guangming District, where hidden artwork adorns overlooked corners, walls, and windows. After exploring these gems, relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy local dishes for a cozy afternoon.

The exhibition is curated by the Urban Planning & Design Institute of Shenzhen’s Landscape Institute, led by Yu Guangyu as producer, Yang Guang as artistic director, and Zhang Xiaofei as curator. 

A cat sculpture is seen on an eave in Jingkou Village, Guangming District. Photos by Cao Zhen unless otherwise stated

A cat sits beside an old red-brick house, Jingkou Village.

Local artists, landscape architects, and graphic designers have collaborated with villagers to create art that blends the village’s unique landscape, sparking interest and respect for its rich history.

A total of 22 works of art are scattered throughout the village, beginning at the Huang Clan Grand Ancestral Hall, which was originally built during the late Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The hall is solemn and magnificent, featuring exquisite carvings on its roof and gates. 

The Huang Clan Grand Ancestral Hall.

Visitors can scan a QR code on an old well in the square outside the hall to experience augmented reality (AR). In the AR experience, which was created by Shen Sentao, a cartoonish deity will appear on your mobile phone and introduce you to the history of the old well. 

You can also use your selfie camera to take selfies with the whimsical deity. Additionally, two more old wells inside the village offer a similar AR experience.

A cartoonish deity in an AR experience, accessible by scanning a QR code on an old well outside the Huang Clan Grand Ancestral Hall.

Many of the artists drew inspiration from local culture, history, and traditions, thereby helping to preserve and revitalize these elements. Their works highlight the village’s unique aspects and foster a sense of pride among residents. 

Artist Lyu Xiaozheng has created a pixel drawing of a traditional Chinese door god, which is pasted on a house. This artwork also includes an AR experience that allows visitors to engage in an interactive game. Combining modern pixel art with AR, the traditional door god comes to life, adding an element of playfulness.

A pixel drawing of a traditional Chinese door god created by Lyu Xiaozheng. Photo courtesy of the event organizer

Some artists involved villagers in their creative processes, leading to shared experiences and enhanced community cohesion. Artist Liu Guodong collected and bought clothes hangers from the villagers to create beautiful installations that are displayed on windows and on the ground. 

The juxtaposition of these everyday items against the shabby windows in old red-brick walls evokes a fascinating contrast between the past and the present, as well as a fusion of abandonment and innovation.

An installation formed by clothes hangers by artist Liu Guodong.

An installation formed by clothes hangers by artist Liu Guodong.

Also utilizing windows for artistic display, painters from Urban Sketchers Shenzhen, a local sketching community, created paintings depicting scenes from everyday life in Shenzhen and affixed them to windows in the village. These creations breathe new life into the old windows, with the painted scenes offering narratives that transcend time and space.

Paintings by artists from Urban Sketchers Shenzhen.

Nestled between Dadingling Forest Park and Guangming Fun Farm, Jingkou Village, with its ancient trees, wells, and tile-roof houses, is being transformed into a cultural hub for ecological tourism and creative culture. 

The current exhibition not only provides the villagers a cultural experience but also is a way to preserve the heritage of the old village and revitalize the community.

Throughout the village, visitors can discover additional decorations that encourage a slower pace and relaxed lifestyle. Artist Chen Muyun has placed tiny sheep sculptures on an old wall column beside the Huang Clan Grand Ancestral Hall, creating a charming pastoral scene. 

Tiny sheep sculptures created by Chen Muyun.

At the end of a narrow alley, a road sign is adorned with figurines by artist Liang Daohong.

Artist Yang Guang has collected broken bricks, crushed stones, and tiles from the village and incorporated them into wooden stools for visitors to sit on. Artist Liang Daohong has installed a road sign adorned with figurines at the end of a narrow alley.

Several restaurants along Jingkou Road, located in front of the Huang Clan Grand Ancestral Hall, offer local delicacies such as laifen, changfen, roast pig, and roast goose. You can also savor a cup of coffee while immersing yourself in the cozy ambiance of this centuries-old community.

A bowl of laifen with roast goose at the Old Street Noodle (旧街濑粉) restaurant on Jingkou Road.

A decoration on the wall of the Stay Coffee shop, Jingkou Village.

More artworks and scenes at Jingkou Village:

A decoration in Jingkou Village.

Bird sculptures created by Zhang Qinu.

A piece of work created by Yang Guang.

An installation created by Lyu Xiaozheng. Photo courtesy of the event organizer

An installation created by Liu Zongdao is illuminated at night. Photo courtesy of the event organizer

An aerial view of Jingkou Village beside the picturesque Guangming Lake. Photo courtesy of the event organizer

Dates: Through Jan. 8, 2025

Venue: Jingkou Village, Guangming District (光明区迳口村)

Metro: Line 6 to Guangming Street Station (光明大街站), Exit B, then take bus B963 and get off at the Jingkou New Village Stop (迳口新村站)

Drive: Navigate to 黄氏大宗祠 (Huang Clan Grand Ancestral Hall)