Mall reinvented as a natural museum

Video and photos by Lin Jianping

First-time visitors are often amazed by Singapore’s Changi Airport and Bangkok’s Mega Bangna mall, as these landmarks have brought forests, waterfalls, and valleys indoors.

Taking cues from these iconic sites, the newly opened Vanke Mall in Bantian, Longgang District, has created a 27,000-square-meter natural museum on its premises. Featuring everything from waterfalls to forests, giant animal sculptures to interactive media installations, the mall showcases local wildlife species in a vibrant setting.

Welcoming guests at the mall entrance is a grand installation of the beloved black-faced spoonbill crafted by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. As visitors stroll through the mall, reminiscent of a leisurely walk in nature, they encounter various artist-contributed installations: a duo of “red-whiskered bulbuls” peeping from bushes, an endearing “macaque” swinging from a branch, and a majestic “leopard cat” stretching out on a standing pose. Over one hundred indigenous plants vividly depict ecosystems from the ground to the sky.

On the third-floor outdoor terrace, a 1,200-square-meter children’s playground features slides and castles in shapes of the mudskipper, a species representative of the local mangrove ecosystems.

Here, Shenzhen Daily photographer Lin Jianping offers readers glimpses into this exciting new landmark.