OCT Loft华侨城创意文化园
Creative park of converted warehouses: pop-ups, bookshops, design studios and coffee.
Converted 1980s factories in OCT: OCAT, B10 Live, indie bookshops and a weekend market
OCT Loft (华侨城创意文化园) is a creative park built inside the Eastern Industrial Zone, a block of factories and warehouses put up in the 1980s when Overseas Chinese Town was one of Shenzhen's first manufacturing districts. Instead of knocking them down, OCT and the architects Urbanus began converting them in 2004, starting with the south zone and moving on to the north zone from 2007. The park now covers about 150,000 square metres.
The result is a walkable grid of low concrete blocks, shady trees and rooftop add-ons, filled with design studios, galleries, cafés, bookshops and small bars. It is busy but never frantic, and it changes character through the day: quiet studio work in the morning, coffee and browsing in the afternoon, gigs and drinks at night. OCAT anchors the south zone; B10 Live and Old Heaven Books are in the north zone.
For expats it is one of the easiest places in Shenzhen to find contemporary art, live music and independent shops in one stop. The OCAT contemporary art centre and B10 Live, the city's best-known small music venue, are both here, and a long-running weekend craft market sets up along the main lanes. It is free to wander, open at all hours, and about five minutes' walk from Qiaocheng East station.
What to see and do
OCAT Shenzhen
The OCT Contemporary Art Terminal, founded in 2005, is the headquarters of the OCAT museum group and runs serious exhibitions, screenings and talks. Entry is free, and its B10 hall is a converted factory space.
B10 Live
A standing-room club on the north side of Building C2 in the north zone, booking Chinese indie bands and touring acts from Japan, Europe and beyond. Shows usually start at 8pm or 8:30pm.
T-Street Creative Market
Yellow-tented stalls along the main north–south lane selling illustration, ceramics, records and handmade goods. It usually runs on the first and third weekends of the month, with bigger editions during the Shenzhen Cultural Industries Fair in May.
Old Heaven Books
An independent bookshop and record store in Building A5 of the north zone, with a strong music catalogue and regular evening events.
Architecture on show
Urbanus's light-touch conversion is one of the best-known factory reuse projects in China, with steel walkways, glass boxes and rooftop extensions added to the original 1980s frames.
Visiting
- Address
- 2 Jinxiu North Street, Overseas Chinese Town, Nanshan District (深圳市南山区锦绣北街2号)
- Hours
- Park open all day; shops, cafés and galleries set their own hours. OCAT: 10am to 5:30pm, closed Mondays except public holidays (2023)
- Tickets
- Free to enter the park and OCAT (2023). B10 Live gigs are ticketed per show
- Getting there
- Metro Line 1 to Qiaocheng East, exit A, about 5 minutes on foot; or Line 2/8 to Qiaocheng North, exit B
- Phone
- 0755-2693 6340 (park)
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours for a browse; a full evening if you are seeing a show
- Go on a market weekend (usually the first and third of the month) if you want the place at its liveliest; check the park's WeChat account for confirmed dates.
- OCAT and many galleries close on Mondays, so a weekday visit from Tuesday on gives you quieter galleries.
- B10 Live gigs sell out for bigger touring acts; buy tickets as soon as the show is announced on b10live.cn.
- The park has a south zone and a north zone: OCAT and most cafés are in the south, B10 Live and Old Heaven Books in the north. Allow time to walk both.
- OCT Harbour and the OCT Eco Wetland are a short ride away if you want to make a day of it in the area.
FAQ
Is OCT Loft free?
Yes. The park is open to walk around at any time and OCAT is free. You pay for gigs, workshops and whatever you buy.
What is the nearest metro to OCT Loft?
Qiaocheng East on Line 1, exit A, about a 5-minute walk. Qiaocheng North (Lines 2 and 8, exit B) is near the north zone.
When is the T-Street market at OCT Loft?
It usually runs on the first and third weekends of each month, roughly 10am to 9pm on the Saturday and 10am to 8pm on the Sunday. Dates change for festivals, so check the park's WeChat account before going.
Where is B10 Live?
In the north zone of OCT Loft, on the north side of Building C2.
Is OCAT open on Mondays?
No. OCAT opens 10am to 5:30pm and closes on Mondays, except public holidays.
Sources: OCT-LOFT official site · Eye on Shenzhen: OCAT Shenzhen visitor info (May 2023) · B10 Live official site: venue and 2026 listings · Dutenews: OCT-LOFT programme for the 2025 Cultural Industries Fair (May 2025) · Urbanus: OCT-LOFT Renovation 2003–2022 (history) · Shenzhen Bendibao: OCT Loft visitor page (address, phone, hours) · checked 2026-10-04
Photos
Good to know
- Entry
- Free to wander