OCT in a minute
OCT (Overseas Chinese Town, 华侨城) is a leafy, planned neighbourhood between Futian and Nanshan, administratively part of Nanshan. It was developed by the state-owned OCT Group, which is why it holds both Shenzhen's theme parks and its most relaxed creative quarter.
On one side are the big-ticket sights: Window of the World's miniature Eiffel Tower, Happy Valley's rides and Halloween nights, and Splendid China. On the other is OCT Loft, old factories turned into galleries, bookshops, cafés and B10 Live, one of the city's best rooms for touring bands.
Expats come for weekend afternoons: an exhibition at OCAT or the He Xiangning Art Museum, coffee under the banyans, a gig in the evening, or a lakeside dinner at OCT Harbour on the bay.
Shows & Nightlife in OCT
All shows →
Tomorrow · 8:30pm
YĪN YĪN — New Album Tour, Shenzhen
Dutch psychedelic-disco band with Southeast Asian grooves: one of the most danceable gigs of the autumn.
B10 Live · OCTB10现场
Thu 15 Oct · 8pm
Ezra Collective — Live in Shenzhen
London's Mercury Prize-winning jazz five-piece, all Afrobeat, Caribbean and hip-hop groove, on their first Shenzhen date at B10 Live.
B10 Live · OCTB10现场
On now in OCT
On now · until 1 Nov
Wayfinders of the Stars: Austronesian Seafaring Cultures — OCAT Shenzhen
Everyday and ritual objects from the Austronesian peoples who sailed from the China–Taiwan coast across the Pacific, at OCAT in OCT-LOFT until 1 November.
OCAT Shenzhen · OCT华侨城当代艺术中心
On now · until 6 Dec
Foreign Lands and Mother Tongue: 8th Global Overseas Chinese Artists Exhibition
Design, type and art by diaspora Chinese makers, across all six main halls of the OCT museum.
He Xiangning Art Museum · OCT何香凝美术馆
On now · until 22 Nov
Happy Valley Shenzhen Halloween 2026: Surprise Fun Festival
Shenzhen's biggest Halloween: ten haunted houses, themed night zones, parades and hundreds of costumed characters at Happy Valley until 22 November.
Happy Valley Shenzhen · OCT深圳欢乐谷
Where's what in OCT
Converted factories full of galleries, design shops, cafés, OCAT and B10 Live. The T-Street Creative Market sets up on some weekends.
🚇 Line 1 — Qiaocheng East02Window of the World 世界之窗The miniature-landmarks theme park with its Eiffel Tower, right by the station. Many visitors prefer the cheaper evening session.
🚇 Line 1 / Line 2 — Window of the World03Happy Valley 深圳欢乐谷Shenzhen's big thrill-ride park, with themed zones and shows. Its Halloween nights are a fixture of the autumn calendar.
04He Xiangning Art Museum & OCT Art & Design Gallery 何香凝美术馆 · 华美术馆Two of the city's better museums, side by side on Shennan Road, one stop west of OCT Loft.
🚇 Line 1 — Huaqiaocheng05OCT Harbour 欢乐海岸Boardwalks, a lake ringed with restaurants and bars, and the OCT Wetland Park (book ahead) on the edge of Shenzhen Bay.
🚇 Line 9 — Shenzhen Bay ParkNeighbourhoods & landmarks in OCT
All landmarks →
Window of the World 世界之窗The world in miniature — Eiffel Tower, pyramids and evening light shows, since 1994.Landmark
OCT Harbour 欢乐海岸Waterfront boardwalks, wetlands and restaurants on Shenzhen Bay.Landmark
OCT Loft Creative Park 华侨城创意文化园Old factories turned galleries, a livehouse and cafés under the banyans.NeighbourhoodGetting around OCT
Line 1 runs along Shennan Road with stops at Window of the World, Huaqiaocheng (OCT) and Qiaocheng East (for OCT Loft). Line 2 also stops at Window of the World and Qiaocheng North, and Line 9's Shenzhen Bay Park station is the nearest to OCT Harbour. Futian CBD is a few stops east on Line 1.
OCT Loft, the museums and Window of the World are all along Line 1 and close enough to walk between. OCT Harbour is a short taxi from Window of the World or Houhai.
Eat & drink in OCT
Any day in OCT
Places in OCT
Popular in OCT
OCT: questions people ask
Is OCT part of Nanshan?
Yes, OCT is in Nanshan District, on the Futian side. Locals treat it as its own neighbourhood, built around its theme parks and the OCT Loft creative park.
Which metro station for OCT Loft?
Qiaocheng East on Line 1, then a short walk north. Huaqiaocheng (Line 1) is one stop west for the He Xiangning Art Museum.
Is Window of the World worth it?
It's fun as a novelty, and many visitors find the evening session better value than a full day. It's right by Window of the World station on Lines 1 and 2.
What's on at B10 Live?
Touring indie, rock and jazz acts, and the OCT Loft Jazz Festival in the autumn. See the venue page for upcoming shows.
Is OCT Harbour free?
Yes, the boardwalks, lake and malls are free. The neighbouring OCT Wetland Park takes visitors by advance reservation.
Other areas
Checked 4 Oct 2026 · Sources: OCT Loft: metro and markets (Trip.com, 2026), OCT Loft visitor guide (China Explorer Tour, 2025)