The 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) is underway at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center in Bao'an District, showcasing cultural products and highlights from China and abroad. Beyond the exhibition halls, the city's ancient villages and mountain parks also offer plenty to explore. Here is a guide to some of the fair's top highlights and nearby getaways.
Exhibition Highlights
Fashion · Art Hall (Hall 9): Oriental aesthetics, museum-inspired designs and Gen Z creativity
Hall 9 blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with youthful creativity. Its "oriental lifestyle" section brings together fashion, jewelry, tea culture and art-driven home design, with immersive spaces designed for photography and interaction.
The hall is home to a major museum-inspired design showcase, where more than 30 leading institutions, including the Palace Museum and Sanxingdui Museum, present hundreds of cultural and creative products.
Hall 9 also showcases student-led innovation from universities across Shenzhen, offering a glimpse into the next generation of Chinese creative talent.
Cultural Industries Hall A (Hall 10): Cultural highlights and APEC discoveries
Hall 10 brings together cultural showcases from Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Sichuan and other regions, along with an APEC exhibition zone. Visitors can sample global cultural offerings such as Vietnamese coffee, Thai crafts, Peruvian artworks, Australian products and Chilean wine.
A key highlight is the "Creative China" showcase, featuring blockbuster cultural works such as the dance drama Wing Chun and the film Dear You, as well as AI glasses, MR installations and smart devices.
International Cultural Trade Hall (Hall 11): Global culture, food and AI experiences
Hall 11 brings together international cultural trade, e-commerce and interactive experiences. Visitors can watch AI competitions featuring robots that paint, dance and even play chess, explore a dedicated food zone with regional snacks from across China, and enjoy an exhibition inspired by Da Vinci.
Cultural Industries Hall B (Hall 12): Regional culture showcase across China
Hall 12 presents cultural highlights from more than ten provinces and regions across China, including Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Xinjiang and Taiwan. Focusing on regional crafts, local products and cultural tourism resources, the hall offers a broad snapshot of China's diverse cultural landscape.
Cultural Inheritance and Innovation Hall (Hall 13): Immersive intangible heritage experiences
Traditional Chinese aesthetics come alive in Hall 13 through tea ceremonies, guqin performances and flower arrangements. Visitors can walk through immersive scenes rather than simply view exhibits behind glass.
Cultural Industries Hall C (Hall 14): Low-altitude economy and future travel
Hall 14 explores China's emerging "low-altitude tourism," featuring drones, flying vehicles and aerial tourism concepts. A dedicated zone showcases drone performances, VR flight simulations and unmanned aerial vehicle competitions.
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Hall (Hall 15): Hit IPs and AI gadgets
Hall 15 showcases cultural and technological innovation from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, highlighting regional collaboration in culture, technology and creative industries. Visitors can try AI robots, smart glasses and other interactive gadgets developed by Shenzhen tech companies.
Cultural Technology Hall (Hall 16): Anime, gaming and digital entertainment
Hall 16 brings together animation, gaming, esports and digital entertainment. Visitors can meet iconic Chinese characters such as Black Cat Detective, explore major games including Honor of Kings, League of Legends and Valorant, and join cosplay parades, esports tournaments and live events.
Visitors can also explore AI-powered cultural exhibits, XR film production, digital performances and immersive storytelling experiences.
Nearby One-Day Trips
Qingping Ancient Market → Shenzhen Tsingtao Beer Asahi Co., Ltd.
(清平古墟→深圳青岛啤酒朝日公司)
Dating back more than 200 years, Qingping Ancient Market preserves dozens of Qing Dynasty buildings and century-old streets. It regularly hosts themed market events and traditional cultural activities, offering a heritage-rich retreat for residents and tourists.
At Shenzhen Tsingtao Beer Asahi Co., Ltd., the "Refresh Your Life" experience center offers a fun behind-the-scenes look at beer brewing. Visitors can walk through a glass skywalk overlooking the production line, try interactive brewing-themed games, customize their own beer packaging and finish the tour with a glass of freshly brewed draft beer.
Phoenix Mountain Forest Park → Fengyan Ancient Temple → Fenghuang Ancient Village
(凤凰山森林公园→凤岩古庙→凤凰古村)
This leisurely route blends mountain views, Buddhist culture and architectural heritage. At Phoenix Mountain Forest Park, visitors can hike along scenic trails with views of the city skyline and Lingdingyang Bay. Halfway up the mountain stands the centuries-old Fengyan Ancient Temple, a long-standing Buddhist site known for its peaceful atmosphere and traditional architecture.
At the foot of the mountain, Fenghuang Ancient Village preserves one of Shenzhen's finest clusters of Lingnan-style ancient buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.
F518 Creative Park → Tiezai Mountain Park → Yantian Community Night Market Cultural Street
(F518 创意园→铁仔山公园→盐田社区夜市文化街)
For an artistic escape, start at F518 Creative Park, a former industrial area transformed into a creative hub with graffiti walls, design studios, cafés, and art installations. Then head to Tiezai Mountain Park, a hidden sunset spot with a winding skywalk and panoramic views over Bao'an District.
End the day at the night market on Yantian Street in Xixiang Sub-district, where sizzling street-food stalls serve flavors from across China late into the night, including stinky tofu, grilled skewers, marinated seafood and other local delicacies.
Author | Huang Xinying
Poster | Lai Meiya
Photo | ICIF, Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality
Special thanks to Xing Zexin and Li Tingting.
