Complete Guide to Exploring Dongmen Old Street

【Introduction】 Dongmen Old Street is located on Shennan East Road in Luohu District, Shenzhen. It is the oldest commercial street in Shenzhen and is known as the "Root of Shenzhen." Established in the mid-Ming Dynasty, it has witnessed over 300 years of history. The street still preserves traditional features such as Lingnan arcade buildings and bluestone pavements, while blending the bustling modern commercial atmosphere. As the birthplace of Shenzhen's commercial culture, Dongmen Old Street is not only a paradise for shopping and food but also a vivid record of the city's transformation. Walking through it, you can experience the everyday life of old Shenzhen as well as the pulse of the new consumer era. 🕘【Opening Hours】 • The street is open all day; most shops operate from 10:00 to 22:00, with some night market stalls and food vendors open until early morning; • Core attractions opening hours: ◦ Siyue Academy: Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00, closed on weekends; ◦ Shenzhen Market Museum: Free admission, open all day; ◦ Shenzhen Theatre: Performance times vary according to daily schedule; general visits allowed during non-performance hours. Best times to visit: • Early morning (6:00-9:00): Quiet and peaceful, ideal for photographing arcade buildings and daily street life; • Evening (18:00-20:00): When the lights come on, neon signs and the old street create a vibrant atmosphere. 💴【Ticket Prices】 • The entire street is free to enter; only some exhibitions or performances require tickets: ◦ Shenzhen Theatre performances: Tickets range from 50 to 200 RMB, available via the "Shenzhen Theatre" official WeChat account; ◦ Temporary cultural exhibitions: Some special exhibitions require on-site tickets (20-50 RMB as reference). ⛺【Activities】 🌟 Core Experiences and Highlights 1. Historical Architecture Tour: ◦ Lingnan Arcade Buildings: Dongmen Middle Road and Dongmen South Road preserve the most complete arcade building clusters in Shenzhen. The Nanyang-style carved decorations and arcade corridors make a natural photography backdrop. Recommended photo spot: the "Dongmen Old Street" neon sign next to Dongmenting Square; ◦ Siyue Academy: Founded during the Kangxi era, it once served as a reception station during the Canton-Hong Kong strike. The red walls and gray tiles hide revolutionary history stories. The ancient well and century-old trees inside are worth appreciating; ◦ Shenzhen Market Museum: Restores the market life of Shenzhen during the Ming and Qing dynasties through artifacts and old photos. You can touch the stone tablet marking the origin of the name "Shenzhen." 2. Trendy Shopping Paradise: ◦ Taiyang Department Store, Maoye Department Store: Gatherings of mid-to-high-end brands, perfect for one-stop shopping; ◦ Baohua Building, Baima Clothing Market: Wholesale prices for clothing. Bargaining tip: start negotiating at one-third of the marked price; if the owner says "losing money," you can add 10 RMB more; ◦ Xihuagong: A 90s retro-style small goods paradise, with fun items like 3 pairs of socks for 10 RMB and glowing phone cases. 3. Taste of Dongmen: ◦ Classic Old Brands: ◦ Bage Sour and Spicy Noodles (Renmin North Road): Tangy and spicy, adding a fried egg is a soul mate pairing; ◦ Dongmen Bingbing Store (Nantang Commercial Plaza): Mixed sauce rice rolls and curry fish balls, authentic Hong Kong flavors like on TVB; ◦ Zhao Ji Heritage: Ginger milk pudding and double-skin milk, sweet but not greasy, perfect for relieving spiciness. ◦ New Popular Stores: ◦ Hometown Flavor Experience Center (Dongmen Old Street Plaza): The first store nationwide, gathering local agricultural specialties. Try Yunnan flower cakes, Guizhou rosehip juice, and participate in cultural and creative design contests; ◦ Ama Handmade: Fresh milk tea with handmade toppings. Although the queue is long, it’s worth trying. 4. Cultural and Artistic Experiences: ◦ Shenzhen Theatre: Regularly hosts Cantonese opera and drama performances. In July, the intangible cultural heritage-themed play "Legend of the Awakening Lion" is showing; ◦ Dongmen Cultural Plaza: Often holds street art performances on weekends, such as magic shows and street dance flash mobs. 🚌【Transportation Guide】 1. Metro Priority: ◦ Lines 1/3 Laojie Station: Exit D leads directly to the main entrance (neon sign photo spot), Exit G is near Siyue Academy; ◦ Lines 2/9 Hubei Station: Exit C is an 8-minute walk to Dongmenting Food Plaza. 2. Convenient Bus Routes: ◦ Dongmen Old Street Station: Served by lines 102, 103B, 11, 203, etc.; ◦ Dongmen 1 Station: Served by lines 113, 3, 59, 103, etc., only a 3-minute walk to the core area. 3. Driving Tips: ◦ Parking: Dongmenting Square (8 RMB/hour, weekend queues can be over 1 hour), Taiyang Department Store underground parking (10 RMB/hour); ◦ Recommendation: Driving is feasible on weekdays; green travel is strongly recommended on weekends and holidays. 👉【Itinerary Suggestions】 🌞 One-Day Tour Recommendation • Morning: 09:00 Arrive at Dongmen Old Street, enter from Laojie Station Exit D → Visit Siyue Academy (open Monday to Friday) → Explore Shenzhen Market Museum to learn about Shenzhen’s origins → Photograph arcade buildings on Dongmen Middle Road. 11:30 Shop for affordable clothes at Baohua Building and enjoy bargaining fun. • Noon: 12:30 Eat at Dongmen Bingbing Store in Nantang Commercial Plaza, paired with a cup of Liyuan milk tea. • Afternoon: 14:00 Visit Taiyang Department Store or Maoye Department Store, check in at "Hometown Flavor Experience Center" and join promotional week activities; 16:30 Watch an intangible cultural heritage performance at Shenzhen Theatre (advance ticket purchase required). • Evening: 18:30 Dine at Dongmenting Food Plaza with Chaoshan beef balls and spicy skewers → Photograph neon night scenes on Dongmen South Road → Walk to Renmin Park (10 minutes) for a stroll and digestion. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations • High-End Options: ◦ Shenzhen Grand Hyatt Hotel (1.2 km away): Overlooks the entire Dongmen area, rooms equipped with smart control systems, and the Chinese restaurant "Chairman’s Building" offers exquisite Cantonese cuisine. • Cost-Effective Choices: ◦ 7 Days Inn (Dongmen Old Street Branch): 5-minute walk to the metro, starting at 150 RMB per person, includes simple breakfast; ◦ Shenzhen Yiqi Yiqi Youth Hostel: 80-100 RMB per person, a backpacker hub with free luggage storage. • Unique Experience: ◦ Dongmenting Homestay: Some homestays retain arcade building structures, opening the window lets you feel the street’s lively atmosphere. 🧡【Preparation Before Your Trip】 1. Documents and Reservations: ◦ No reservation needed to visit Siyue Academy; just show your ID card; ◦ Shenzhen Theatre tickets must be booked in advance via the official WeChat account; recommended seats are central in the middle rows. 2. Packing List: ◦ Wear comfortable sports shoes (expect to walk over 20,000 steps daily), light-colored clothes recommended (better for photos with arcade buildings); ◦ Bring cash (some small shops only accept cash), power bank (shared charging stations are mainly in malls); ◦ Sunscreen and sun umbrella for summer; light jacket for winter (it can be windy by the river at night). 3. Notes: ◦ Beware of pickpockets: Keep an eye on your phone and wallet in crowds; backpacks are best worn in front; ◦ Bargaining tips: Start at one-third of the marked price for clothing, speak firmly but politely; ◦ Avoid peak times: Weekends from 10:00 to 16:00 are busiest; for empty shots, visit early morning or on weekdays. 🍽️【Food Secrets】 • Hidden Menu: ◦ Chaoshan Beef Ball Stall: Ask the owner for the "juicy explosion" version, a delightful surprise when bitten; ◦ Sister Lan’s Beef Offal: Add a portion of radish; the rich soup can be refilled for free. • Late-Night Eats: ◦ After 10 PM, roadside stalls on Dongmen South Road serve grilled oysters and fried rice noodles, full of street food vibes; ◦ Recommended: "Ah Hua BBQ" charcoal-grilled eggplant topped with garlic, fragrant and flavorful. Dongmen Old Street uniquely showcases Shenzhen’s history in one street, blending tradition and modernity. Whether wandering among the arcade buildings to find memories of old Shenzhen or enjoying the food and shopping, here you will feel the city’s most authentic warmth.