Gankeng Ancient Town has become one of Shenzhen’s most popular attractions in recent years. A few years ago, it was still relatively unknown and didn’t have much that really stood out. But after being renovated and revitalized, it surprisingly became one of the hottest places to visit in Shenzhen.
With its beautiful scenery, colourful lights, cultural activities, and all kinds of fun experiences, Gankeng has become a popular destination for both locals and visitors. If you’re travelling to Shenzhen, I think this is definitely a place worth visiting. 😊
After visiting several times, I’ve put together this one-day guide to Gankeng Ancient Town. Hopefully, it’ll help you make the most of your visit!
🚗 Transportation
Driving: There are parking lots nearby, but traffic can get quite congested, so driving isn’t always the most convenient option.
Metro: Take Line 10 → Gankeng Station, Exit B（you need to walk 10 minutes)
Bus: Shuttle buses are available at the metro station. It costs only RMB 1.6 to reach the entrance.
🏮 How to Explore
1. Wander the Ancient Streets
The ancient town itself is perfect for a leisurely stroll. After entering through the main gate, turn right and head into the market alleys.
The atmosphere is lovely, with traditional-style shops, quirky toys 🪆, colourful umbrella decorations ☂️, wishing ribbons 🪔, and blooming flowers 🌷. Almost every corner is photogenic! 📷
Many people come here for beautiful photos, and you’ll even see visitors dressed in cosplay costumes or traditional Chinese hanfu.
2. Visit the Landmarks
Continue straight ahead and you’ll come across the exterior of the Gankeng Watchtower and the Gankeng Museum. 🗿
I personally recommend stopping by the museum if you’re interested in learning more about the local culture. It has a permanent exhibition featuring traditional Guangdong wedding customs and everyday culture, which gives you a glimpse into how people lived and celebrated in the past.
3. Try the Fun Activities
Gankeng has plenty of interactive activities for both adults and children, including traditional costume photography, an upside-down house 🏠, tornado and earthquake simulators 🌪️, a VR centre, and even bottle-feeding fish 🍼🐡.
We tried the fish-feeding activity, which cost around RMB 20–30, and it was actually quite fun!
4. Explore the Mini Markets
There are lots of small markets and shops selling fridge magnets, little trinkets, handmade crafts, and traditional Chinese-style souvenirs.
I bought a lovely incense burner 🪔 here. If you enjoy browsing for small and unusual souvenirs, you can definitely spend some time exploring these shops.
5. Stay Until Nightfall 🌙
One of the best things about Gankeng Ancient Town is that it looks completely different after dark.
Once night falls, the streets light up with colourful lanterns and beautiful decorations, creating a much more atmospheric and romantic feeling. There are also various nighttime activities and performances.
I recently discovered one of the special nighttime shows when I brought two foreign teachers here, and even as a local, I was genuinely impressed by how spectacular it was!
👉 I’ve written a separate article about the nighttime experience and the show, so check it out if you’re planning to stay until evening.
🍽️ Food & Drinks
You won’t have to worry about finding something to eat or drink here. There are plenty of options throughout the ancient town.
Drinks
🥤 You’ll find familiar chains such as Baozhu Gong, Nayuki, Luckin Coffee, Mixue Ice City, and more.
Food
🍜 There are also plenty of local and casual food options, including Hakka tossed noodles, Pengyoujia — which even has street-side karaoke — Fenghuang Hakka Restaurant, and more.
Shops & Souvenirs
Besides food and drinks, Gankeng also has a mix of modern cultural and creative shops and stores selling traditional Chinese-style handicrafts. One of the bookstores even has a lovely selection of modern, beautifully designed fridge magnets, postcards, and other little souvenirs
📚 Overall Experience
Gankeng Ancient Town is a great choice for families, couples, or anyone looking for a relaxing weekend outing.
It has a romantic atmosphere, plenty of photo spots, interesting activities, food and drinks, and often hosts themed events. You may even come across cosplayers 🧜♂️🧚♀️🦸♀️ wandering around the ancient streets, which makes the experience even more fun.
If you’re visiting Shenzhen for the first time, I think Gankeng Ancient Town is worth adding to your itinerary. And if you have enough time, I especially recommend staying until evening — the atmosphere becomes completely different once the lights come on. 🌙✨
🧑⚖️ Final verdict:
Historical Atmosphere ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Activities ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Food & Drinks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Photo Spots ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
（First published: May 8th, 2026; Updated: September 6th, 2026）
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