LOOKING for a unique experience that combines history, culture, and shopping for your holiday adventure? Dive into the fascinating world of Shenzhen’s ancient markets! Markets in the old times are typically a self-sufficient commercial activity of small-scale agricultural economies, involving farmers, vendors and small craftsmen, which gradually formed fixed points and times for trading activities over time. There used to be many old markets in Shenzhen. Most of the markets emerged during the Ming (1369-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. However, most of them disappeared or declined over time and during the urban development process. Today, four major ancient markets remain known: Shenzhen Market in Luohu District, Guanlan Ancient Market in Longhua District, Qingping Ancient Market in Bao’an District, and Shatoujiao Market in Yantian District. Shenzhen Market A quintessential Cantonese-style market, Shenzhen Market is located in the Dongmen community of Luohu Distict. It was one of the most prosperous markets in the then Xin’an County from 1736 to 1820. Farmers, vendors and craftsmen gathered at Shenzhen Market to trade on the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 25th and 28th days of every month in the lunar calendar, known as the “market days.” The Dongmen area, now known as Dongmen Old Street, has withstood significant changes and challenges over time, developing into one of Shenzhen’s most important commercial centers today. Metro: Line 1 or 3 to Laojie Station, Exit F Guanlan Ancient Market Built in 1766, the Guanlan Ancient Market used to serve as a prominent commercial area, attracting large crowds and merchants from neighboring regions. The ancient market is renowned for its distinctive Lingnan-style buildings, which incorporate Western classical elements. The architecture possesses immense historical and cultural value. In the market, you’ll find an arcade street lined with wooden stilt houses reflecting Hakka culture, the only of its kind in Shenzhen. The Guanlan fortresses are among the largest and best-preserved ancient cannon towers in the city, with each tower serving as a witness to the region’s historical changes. When it opened for business in 1938, the Lange Pavilion was the most luxurious restaurant in the Guanlan area. Affectionately nicknamed the “Red Building” for its striking red fa?ade, the pavilion was the first structure in Guanlan to exhibit a fully Western architectural style, and quickly became a leading commercial establishment within the ancient market at that time. There is a 100-year-old banyan tree on the bank of the Guanlan River, adjacent to the Guanlan Ancient Temple. Built in 1725, the temple has remained a popular site for worship. It is said that people would come to pray at the temple before setting off on boat journeys. Strolling along the ancient stone-paved streets in Guanlan Ancient Market, visitors will find a variety of traditional handicraft shops and specialty snack stalls nestled within the historic buildings, providing a rich taste of Shenzhen’s traditional culture. Metro: Line 4 to Guanlan Station, Exit B, then walk for 10 minutes Qingping Ancient Market Qingping Ancient Market, located in Bao’an District, is the only existing riverside ancient market in the Cantonese-speaking area in Guangdong Province that retains the Qing Dynasty architectural features. Within the Qingping market stands a variety styles of structures, including the Lingnan style, Western classical style and contemporary architecture. This historical site features significant buildings such as the Yongxing Bridge, the Xinqiao Granary, and the Guang’an Pawnshop. Built in 1785, Yongxing Bridge is the only remaining ancient three-arch stone bridge in Shenzhen. The Guang’an Pawnshop, known locally as “Dang Lou,” is the largest existing pawnshop site in Shenzhen. The building retains its original architectural features from its initial construction. The Xinqiao Granary was established in the 1950s and was one of the four major grain centers in the then Bao’an County. The granary, featuring a distinctive Lingnan architecture style, consists of two parallel cylindrical warehouses, built with red bricks and topped with glazed tiles. Metro: Line 11 to Shajing Station, Exit D Shatoujiao Market Shatoujiao Market, situated in Shatoujiao Subdistrict of Yantian District, has a rich historical background as a renowned fishing port in Shenzhen. Emerging around the 1820s, the market enjoyed a significant geographic advantage of being the intersection point of three trunk roads — one connecting Yuen Long in Hong Kong to Huizhou City, another linking Nantou in Nanshan District to Shatoujiao, and a third route from the Buji area to Hong Kong’s Kowloon. Its strategic location turned Shatoujiao Market into an important commercial hub at ancient time, serving as an essential distribution center for goods throughout the city. Shatoujiao Market features a wealth of historically important buildings and cultural landscapes, predominantly showcasing Lingnan architecture, alongside some European and contemporary commercial buildings. Landmark buildings include the border monument, the alarm bell, the Zhongying Street Museum, and the Zhongying Street Library. Metro: Line 8 to Shatoujiao Station, Exit C, then walk for approximately 1,200 meters (Wei Jie) | 