Museum of Contemporary Art & Urban Planning
Explore Shenzhen's rapid growth and future visions at this architecturally stunning museum, offering free admission to all.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Museum of Contemporary Art & Urban Planning
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore Shenzhen's rapid growth and future visions at this architecturally stunning museum, offering free admission to all.
"Amazing city development plan, very clean and modern artistic design and it's free!"
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the museum's extensive exhibits without an entry fee. A great value for art and history lovers!
Allocate Enough Time ⏳
You'll need over 2 hours to fully appreciate the 'Great Tide Rising' exhibition and urban planning displays.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Great Tide Rising Exhibition
Shenzhen Exhibition Hall
Witness Shenzhen's incredible 40-year transformation from a farming village to a modern metropolis.
Innovative Urban Planning Displays
Urban Planning Exhibition Halls
Explore Shenzhen's ambitious plans for the future, including visions for 2050.
Striking Architectural Design
Exterior and Interior
Admire the museum's unique building, a fusion of glass, perforated plate, and stone.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to MOCAPE
Navigating MOCAPE's Architecture
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the museum's extensive exhibits without an entry fee. A great value for art and history lovers!
Allocate Enough Time ⏳
You'll need over 2 hours to fully appreciate the 'Great Tide Rising' exhibition and urban planning displays.
Has anyone been to the Museum of Contemporary Art?
Appreciate the Building 🏗️
Don't just focus on the art; the museum's architecture is a significant attraction.
Check for Special Exhibitions 🖼️
While the permanent collections are excellent, temporary exhibitions like Dunhuang can add another layer to your visit.
Has anyone been to MOCA recently? What is the experience like?
Tips
from all over the internet
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the museum's extensive exhibits without an entry fee. A great value for art and history lovers!
Allocate Enough Time ⏳
You'll need over 2 hours to fully appreciate the 'Great Tide Rising' exhibition and urban planning displays.
Appreciate the Building 🏗️
Don't just focus on the art; the museum's architecture is a significant attraction.
Check for Special Exhibitions 🖼️
While the permanent collections are excellent, temporary exhibitions like Dunhuang can add another layer to your visit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise MOCAPE for its free admission and its insightful exhibitions on Shenzhen's rapid development and future urban planning. The museum's striking architecture is also a significant draw. While some find the contemporary art curation less impressive, the educational value and the building's design are consistently highlighted as positives.
"Super interesting, showing the building of Shenzhen and its planning for the future, 2050. Spent there more than 2 hours. Loved it."
Tzafrir Yerushalmi
"Shenzhen MOCAPE is located north of the Shenzhen Civic Centre; it is also the latest major public cultural project in Shenzhen. The building is an integration of the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Arts and the Urban Planning Exhibition Halls. Surface materials of glass, perforated plate, and stone extend and twist along the steel structure, creating a complicated architecture full of vitality.
The Shenzhen Exhibition Hall has been officially open to the public free of charge since November 8, 2018, and has a long-term exhibition of "The Great Tide Rising from the Pearl River—The 40th Anniversary of Guangdong's Reform and Opening Up Exhibition" (大潮起珠江- 廣東改革開放40 周年展覽）.The exhibition integrates ideological, historical, technological and artistic aspects, comprehensively and vividly showing the magnificent development process and brilliant achievements of Guangdong's 40 years of reform and opening up under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee.
I only visited the Reform and Planning the last 40 years part of the museum, and found it to be educational. It described the hardships and challenges and the success in a short 40 years to develop a farming community in yesteryear Shenzhen into a mega and modern city of today."
Doug Ho
"Went for the Dunhuang exhibition. The curation is not that impressive. However, I found the building itself and the facilities in the museum interesting.
Free admission."
Charlotte Yuk Yung LI
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
MOCAPE is conveniently located north of the Shenzhen Civic Centre. Public transportation, including the metro and buses, is readily available and recommended for navigating Shenzhen. Check local transit apps for the most up-to-date routes and schedules.
While specific parking details can vary, major public institutions in Shenzhen typically have parking facilities. It's advisable to check the museum's official website or local parking apps for the most accurate information regarding availability and fees.
Modern public buildings in Shenzhen are generally designed with accessibility in mind. Expect ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. It's always a good idea to contact the museum directly if you have specific accessibility concerns.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, admission to the Shenzhen Exhibition Hall at MOCAPE is officially free of charge. This makes it a fantastic and accessible cultural destination for everyone.
The museum is generally open to the public, but specific hours can vary. It's best to check the official MOCAPE website or local listings for the most current operating hours before your visit.
While general admission is free, special exhibitions might have separate ticketing or require advance booking. Check the museum's official channels for any announcements regarding special exhibitions and their entry requirements.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The 'Great Tide Rising from the Pearl River—The 40th Anniversary of Guangdong's Reform and Opening Up Exhibition' is a highlight, showcasing Shenzhen's rapid development. The Urban Planning Exhibition Halls, with their future city visions, are also highly recommended.
Most visitors find that 2-3 hours are sufficient to explore the main exhibitions thoroughly. If you're particularly interested in urban planning or contemporary art, you might want to allocate more time.
Photography policies can vary by exhibition. Generally, non-flash photography for personal use is permitted in many areas, but it's always best to look for signage or ask museum staff if you're unsure.
Information on guided tours is not widely available online. It's recommended to check the museum's official website or inquire at the information desk upon arrival for any available tour options.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Information on on-site dining facilities is limited. It's advisable to check the museum's official website for the most current details on cafes or restaurants. Alternatively, there are many dining options in the surrounding Shenzhen Civic Centre area.
Typically, museums have policies against bringing outside food and drinks into exhibition halls to protect the artworks. It's best to consume any personal food or beverages outside the museum or in designated areas if available.
📸 📸 Photography
The museum's unique architectural exterior, with its interplay of materials and twisting forms, is a prime spot for photography. Inside, the 'Great Tide Rising' exhibition often features visually engaging displays.
Drone usage is generally restricted in urban areas and around public buildings due to safety and privacy regulations. It's highly unlikely that drone photography is permitted near MOCAPE.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🏛️ Art & Architecture Enthusiasts
🚶 Budget Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Architectural Marvel of MOCAPE
While the design is lauded for its complexity and modern aesthetic, some visitors have noted that it can feel somewhat stereotypical of contemporary Shenzhen architecture, lacking a truly distinct signature. Nevertheless, the building's innovative use of materials and its sculptural form offer numerous opportunities for compelling photographs and a memorable visitor experience. Exploring the museum is as much about appreciating its structure as it is about engaging with the exhibits within.
Shenzhen's Transformation: A Story in Exhibits
Beyond historical retrospectives, the Urban Planning Exhibition Halls provide a forward-looking perspective, showcasing Shenzhen's ambitious visions for the future, including detailed plans for the year 2050. These displays offer insights into the city's ongoing growth, sustainable development strategies, and its aspirations to remain at the forefront of urban innovation. Together, these exhibitions at MOCAPE create a powerful narrative of a city that has redefined progress and continues to shape the future.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit