The Civic Center is the government complex with the enormous curved roof at the centre of Futian's axis. Under that roof is Shenzhen Museum, and in front is Civic Center Square — the best place to watch the city's building light shows.
On show nights, the towers of Futian CBD light up in sync, and the square fills with people. Walk north up the axis to Lianhuashan, or south towards the Convention Center.
Also known as: Citizens Center · Shimin Zhongxin
Visiting Civic Center
- Tickets
- Free (the museum is free with an online reservation)
- Hours
- Square open all day · Shenzhen Museum closed Mondays
- How long
- 1 hour; 2–3 with the museum
- Booking
- Reserve the museum on its official WeChat account. Light-show nights are announced by the city ahead of time.
- Good to know
- Museum closed Mondays
- Security check at the museum entrance
⚠ Hours and prices change — check before you go.
Inside & at the foot of Civic Center
Venues on site or a few minutes' walk away — tap through for what's on
What's on near Civic Center this week
At its venues and around Civic Center, Children's Palace, Convention Center metro · updated daily
On now · until 29 Nov
Pan Yuliang: 90 Original Works — MOCAPE, Shenzhen
A 90-work retrospective of Pan Yuliang, the Shanghai-to-Paris modernist who painted between Chinese line drawing and Western oils, on loan from the Anhui Museum.
MOCAPE · Futian深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆
On now · until 19 Nov
Yan Shanchun: Archaeology of Memory — MOCAPE
A solo show for Yan Shanchun, the Shenzhen-based painter of quiet West Lake landscapes, at MOCAPE in Futian until 19 November.
MOCAPE · Futian深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆
Coming up later
Elsewhere in Futian this week
Now on · until Sat 10 Oct
Korea Business Expo Shenzhen 2026 (30th World-OKTA Convention)
World-OKTA trade expo linking about 550 Korean and Chinese companies with about 1,500 buyers, including overseas Korean member buyers.
Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center · Futian深圳会展中心
Tonight · 6pm
House Fusion Vol. 2: Ernie B Live at Brass House
South African saxophonist Ernie B joins DJ Traxtarr and DJ Manuvitch for deep, funk, Afro and Latin house with live sax.
Brass House · Futian
Tonight · 9:30pm
Passion Saturday: Latin Passion's Saturday Dance Party (Chegongmiao)
Latin Passion's Saturday party in its Chegongmiao studio: a kizomba room and a bachata/salsa room from 9:30pm, with a class before.
Latin Passion Studio (Chegongmiao) · Futian
Tomorrow · 10:45am
Amy & Jean Spanish Corner — Session 94: Latin American Tales & Games
A themed Spanish morning with Latin American stories and games, beginner/intermediate activities, plus a Piscola demonstration.
Tairan Building 301 — 3F Conference Room · Futian泰然四路301栋三层会议室
Where to photograph Civic Center
- Civic Center Square
Wide shot of the CBD light show with the roof in the foreground.
- Roof underside
The curved steel grid, shot straight up.
Nearby landmarks
All landmarks →
Entry FreeLianhuashan Park莲花山公园The hill at the top of Futian's central axis — skyline views, kites and the Deng Xiaoping statue.
Height 599 mPing An Finance Center平安金融中心Shenzhen's tallest tower — and the Free Sky observation deck on the 116th floor.
Height ~356 m (with antenna)SEG Plaza赛格广场 · 华强北电子市场Ten floors of chips, drones and phone parts — the world's electronics bazaar.Civic Center: questions people ask
When is the Shenzhen light show?
On some evenings, mostly weekends and public holidays, but the schedule changes — check the city's announcements before going.
Where's the best place to watch the light show?
Civic Center Square, or the Lianhuashan summit for a higher view.
Is Shenzhen Museum free?
Yes, with a free online reservation. It's closed on Mondays.