A cultural feast for Lunar New Year in SZ

For those in Shenzhen looking to enrich their holiday with a dose of culture and art, the city’s museums are rolling out a spectacular array of events. From ancient treasures to contemporary artworks, here’s the must-see exhibitions for the 2026 Lunar New Year.

Shenzhen Museum

Meticulous copies from the Palace Museum

Dates: Through March 8

This exhibition features 101 hand-painted reproductions of iconic painting and calligraphy masterpieces from Beijing’s Palace Museum. More than mere copies, these works are celebrated for their precision and artistry, offering an unparalleled close-up view of China’s artistic heritage.

Venue: Shenzhen Museum (Ancient Art Division), Futian District

Dazzling Mughal treasures

Dates: Through April 6

“Blossoms and Blades” showcases a stunning collection of Mughal artifacts from the 16th to 19th centuries, including ceremonial weapons, intricate miniature paintings, and exquisite carpets. It’s a vibrant testimony to cross-cultural exchange and masterful craftsmanship.

Exhibits from the “Blossoms and Blades” exhibition at Shenzhen Museum’s History and Folk Culture Division. Cao Zhen

Venue: Shenzhen Museum (History & Folk Culture Division), Futian District

Horse pottery exhibition

Dates: Through March 22

Celebrate the spirit of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) with the “Galloping Glory — Heritage of Tang Sancai Horse Figurines” exhibition. This display presents 60 exquisite artifacts, featuring the iconic sancai (three-color) glazed horses and painted pottery figurines.

Exhibits from the “Galloping Glory” exhibition at Shenzhen Museum’s Ancient Art Division. Cao Zhen

Venue: Shenzhen Museum (Ancient Art Division), Futian District

Other ongoing exhibitions

▪ Works by five Chinese masters

▪ Other permanent exhibitions

Metro: Line 9 to Hongling South Station (红岭南站), Exit A (Ancient Art Division); Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center Station (市民中心站), Exit B (History & Folk Culture Division)

Shenzhen Art Museum (Longhua Division)

‘The Healing Power of Humor’

Dates: Through March 15

Marking the 110th anniversary of late master cartoonist Hua Junwu, this exhibition presents 110 selected works from his donation. His insightful and humorous cartoons offer a unique prescription for understanding modern Chinese society.

Epigraphic art

Dates: Through March 8

“Carrying Cultural Art: An Exhibition of Chinese Epigraphic Rubbings Through the Ages” traces the evolution of Chinese calligraphy through 201 pieces/groups of precious metal, stone, and stele rubbings, from Shang-Zhou inscriptions to masterpieces of various script styles.

A visitor takes photos of an exhibit from the Chinese epigraphic rubbings exhibition at Shenzhen Art Museum (Longhua Division). Liu Xudong

Art of Tao Bowu

Dates: Through April 19

The exhibition “Ode to Resilience” explores the integrated world of poetry, calligraphy, and painting through nearly 180 works by the renowned artist Tao Bowu, revealing a profound and personal artistic vision.

Majiayao culture

Dates: Through March 4

Admire 59 magnificent pieces of painted pottery from Majiayao culture, a pinnacle of prehistoric global art that showcases the remarkable wisdom of ancient Chinese civilizations at the “Pinnacle of Painted Potter Art” exhibition.

Other ongoing exhibitions

▪ “The Realm of Fossils: An Epic of Life”

▪ “Mutual Leaning Among Civilizations Along the Belt and Road”

▪ “Our Art Our Story”

▪ “Art and Design Tracks: Cultural and Creative Design Exhibition in Shenzhen”

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

Nanshan Museum

‘Treasures of the Deep’

Dates: Through May 24

Dive into an oceanic wonder with “Treasures of the Deep.” This exhibition features 111 rare coral branches and exquisite coral carvings. Through four thematic sections, it unveils the mysteries of gem coral, bridging science, culture, and the awe-inspiring beauty of marine life.

Song, Jin murals & brick carvings

Dates: Through April 12

“Myriad Beings on the Walls” brings 71 vivid murals and brick carvings from the Song (960-1279) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties. They offer an immersive portal into the social customs, daily life, and spiritual world of ancient North China, inviting a direct dialogue with history.

An exhibit from the “Myriad Beings on the Walls” exhibition at Nanshan Museum. Courtesy of Nanshan Museum

Metro: Line 12 to Nantou Ancient City Station (南头古城站), Exit E4

He Xiangning Art Museum

‘Spirit in Nature’

Dates: Through March 15

Drawing on its exceptional collection of some 2,000 works by He Xiangning, the museum presents a curated selection of 50 masterpieces. The show spans her diverse practice — powerful depictions of wild animals, tranquil landscapes, and vibrant florals — accompanied by rare historical documents and poetry.

‘Brushstrokes at the Year’s Dawn’

Dates: Through March 8

The exhibition brings together 64 treasured works by modern masters — including Wu Changshuo, Qi Baishi, and Chen Banding — organized into three thematic chapters. Through expansive compositions and symbolic spirituality, these works reflect the developmental vigor and cultural confidence of modern China.

A visitor admires a painting at the “Brushstrokes at the Year’s Dawn” exhibition at He Xiangning Art Museum. Cao Zhen

Works by Zhang Ni

Dates: Through March 8

The exhibition, “A Branch to the Nest: Works by Zhang Ni,” includes the Shenzhen-based artist’s latest pieces: the light art “Emergent Order,” the oil painting “Nest in the Woods,” the interactive installation “This Is Not What I Meant to Express,” and the outdoor sculpture “A Branch to the Southern Nest.” These site-specific works engage in a dynamic dialogue with the exhibition space and the museum’s architecture.

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