This week in Houhai
Around Houhai, Dengliang, Shenzhen Bay Park metro · updated daily
On now · until 30 May
David Hockney: Bigger & Closer — Shenzhen
The immersive David Hockney show first staged at Lightroom London, now at Shenzhen Bay MixC's new BASE Digital Art Center, with English sessions.
BASE Digital Art Center · NanshanBASE数字艺术中心
On now · until 30 May
Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs — Immersive Experience, Shenzhen
An hour among life-size dinosaurs from the Apple TV+ and BBC series, projected floor to ceiling at the new BASE Digital Art Center, with English sessions.
BASE Digital Art Center · NanshanBASE数字艺术中心
On now · until 29 Nov
Prix Pictet: Storm
The 12 shortlisted series from the world's big photography-and-sustainability prize, in Fotografiska Shenzhen's opening season.
Fotografiska Shenzhen · NanshanFotografiska深圳湾美术馆
On now · until 14 Mar
TOILETPAPER: ToiletFotoPaperGrafiska
Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari's candy-coloured, surreal image world, in its first China show.
Fotografiska Shenzhen · NanshanFotografiska深圳湾美术馆
On now · until 30 Sep
Transcendent Realities: Monumental-Scale Photography
Six artists shown at Fotografiska Shanghai, reunited in an 8.5 m-high gallery. Includes Michael Najjar's aerial Shenzhen.
Fotografiska Shenzhen · NanshanFotografiska深圳湾美术馆
On now · until 14 Mar
Shi Guowei: Festa
Hand-coloured photographs of Chinese festivals, somewhere between photography and painting.
Fotografiska Shenzhen · NanshanFotografiska深圳湾美术馆
On now · until 17 Jan
Michael Najjar: Morphing Equilibrium — Fotografiska Shenzhen
German artist Michael Najjar's large photo and video works on a planet out of balance, with a Shenzhen piece shown here for the first time; until 17 January.
Fotografiska Shenzhen · NanshanFotografiska深圳湾美术馆
Today · 7:45am
Shenzhen Striders Park Run (Saturdays, Talent Park)
Free, volunteer-run timed 2.5 km or 5 km loop of Shenzhen Talent Park every Saturday morning. Warm-up at 7:45, all paces welcome.
Shenzhen Talent Park · Nanshan深圳人才公园
How to spend an evening in Houhai
Real places and weekly listings — swap in whatever's on this week above.
Sunset on the bay
Walk the promenade from Talent Park towards the Spring Cocoon while the sun drops over Shenzhen Bay.
Fotografiska after dark
The photography museum on the top floor of Shenzhen Bay MixC (opening 1 October 2026) is open late every day, with a restaurant up there too.
Or a gig at ON AIR Live
The music room in the basement of the Spring Bamboo tower books international indie and electronic acts — check what's on this month.
Every week in Houhai
Weekly regulars we list around Houhai — each links to its next date
Bars & venues in Houhai
Everything we list within a few minutes of Houhai metro
Long Bar, Raffles Shenzhen 深圳鹏瑞莱佛士酒店 Long BarBar
ON AIR Live (China Resources Tower) ON AIR音乐现场Club & live music · L2/11 Houhai
Shenzhen Bay Sports Center 深圳湾体育中心 · 春茧Club & live music · L2/11 Houhai Exit H (alt G)
Fotografiska Shenzhen Fotografiska深圳湾美术馆Gallery & museum · L2 Houhai Exit K15 on this weekBBASE Digital Art Center BASE数字艺术中心Gallery & museum · L2/8, 11, 13 Houhai2 on this weekPPadel Plus Shenzhen Bay Padel Plus板式网球（深圳湾店）Courts & sport · L2 / 11 / 13 Houhai Exit H
Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Tennis Courts 深圳湾体育中心网球场Courts & sport · L2 / 11 / 13 Houhai Exit H
Shenzhen Bay MixC 深圳湾万象城Café & space · L2/8, 11, 13 HouhaiMMangguowang Building (Houhai) 芒果网大厦Café & space · L9 Shenda South (深大南) Exit A1 on this week
Shenzhen Talent Park 深圳人才公园Park & outdoors · L2 Houhai Exit G (or Dengliang exit C)1 on this week
Shenzhen Bay Park 深圳湾公园Park & outdoors · L9 Shenzhen Bay Park Exit A / C / D2Landmarks in Houhai
About Houhai
Houhai is Nanshan's new CBD on the edge of Shenzhen Bay — the Spring Bamboo tower, Shenzhen Bay MixC, tech HQs and a waterfront that stretches all the way to the Spring Cocoon.
By day it's offices and malls; in the evening it's gigs at ON AIR Live under the Spring Bamboo, Fotografiska's photography shows on the top floor of MixC, padel and tennis at the Spring Cocoon, and drinks with a view in the Raffles hotel's Long Bar. The bay promenade at sunset is the neighbourhood's best free thing.
Also known as: Shenzhen Bay · Houhai CBD
- Vibe
- Glass towers, bay sunsets
- Best for
- Bay walks, gigs, photography, racket sports
- Landmarks
- Spring Bamboo · Spring Cocoon
- Metro
- Houhai (L2 · L11 · L13)
- When
- Sunset on the promenade, then a show or dinner around MixC. Friday is the busiest evening.
Photo spots in Houhai
- Talent Park lake
Spring Bamboo reflection at blue hour.
- Bay promenade
Sunset over Shenzhen Bay.
Houhai: questions people ask
Is Houhai a good area to stay in Shenzhen?
Yes for business travellers — it's central to Nanshan's tech HQs, on three metro lines and close to the bay. Shekou is quieter and more expat-residential.
What is Houhai known for?
The Spring Bamboo tower, Shenzhen Bay MixC, the bay promenade and the Spring Cocoon sports centre.
Which metro station is Houhai?
Houhai station, the interchange of Lines 2, 11 and 13.
What's on in Houhai in the evening?
Gigs at ON AIR Live, late opening at Fotografiska, and a weekly Friday language exchange at the Raffles Long Bar — see the listings on this page for dates.