Before the skyscrapers and subway lines, there was the market. Tucked in the northern reaches of Shenzhen, Gongming Market (also known as Gongming Old Street) offers a rare glimpse into the city's quieter, older soul. As one of Shenzhen's six ancient markets—and the place where the name "Gongming" originated—it carries history in every step.
Gongming Market, also known as Gongming Old Street, is Shenzhen's only fully preserved century-old arcade complex. File photo
Nearly a century ago, local gentry built a marketplace to make trading easier for villagers. They called it Gongping Market (Fair Market), symbolizing honest and balanced trade. In 1931, the name was changed to Gongming Market, meaning "justice and brightness."
Today, when you walk into Gongming Market, you won't see towering buildings or traffic-choked roads. Instead, you'll hear the warm hum of daily life: timeworn walls marked by age, long-established shops, and crafts handed down through generations.
Senior villagers enjoy an afternoon at Mai Clan Ancestral Hall. Courtesy of "ShenzhenLOOK"
The last fully preserved arcade street in Shenzhen
At just 300 meters long, this arcade-lined street is Shenzhen's only fully preserved century-old arcade complex. The architecture blends Lingnan residential styles with Western influences. Two to three-story buildings stand in neat rows along both sides of the street, their covered walkways offering shelter from sun and rain.
In its heyday, Gongming Market was a crucial thoroughfare linking Bao'an to Dongguan.
Nearby, beside the arcades, a Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) well has silently served the neighborhood for more than a hundred years.
An exterior view of Chen Xianggu Shrine. Courtesy of "ShenzhenLOOK"
A short walk into history
Mai Clan Ancestral Hall
Less than 700 meters from Gongming Market stands the Mai Clan Ancestral Hall, first built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). It is one of Shenzhen's oldest and largest ancestral halls.
The entire structure is built using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery — not a single nail or piece of iron. After more than 500 years of wind and rain, it still stands proudly, with well-preserved plaques and carvings that root Gongming firmly in its past.
Chen Xianggu Shrine
As one of Shenzhen's first batch of intangible cultural heritage sites, the Chen Xianggu Shrine preserves more than a hundred years of history. The annual "Chen Xianggu Festival" is held on the 23rd day of the first lunar month in Shangcun, Gongming. For generations, this celebration has remained a beloved folk tradition for longtime residents.
Gongming Supply and Marketing Cooperative
Two landmark buildings from a bygone era still stand in Gongming: the former site of the old Gongming Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and its successor, a military grain supply station. Together, they quietly document the city's shift — from rural market to modern district.
Loucun Village
Loucun is the largest natural village in Shenzhen, roughly one-third the size of Futian District. Walking through it feels like unfolding a hidden crease in Shenzhen's rapid development: narrow alleyways, peeling walls, moss-covered bricks — every corner seems to whisper the past.
Honghua Hill Park
Known as Gongming's backyard garden, Honghua Hill offers beautiful views year-round. On the southern slope stands the nine-story, octagonal Minghe Tower. From September to November, a sea of pink muhly grass turns the hillside into a soft, dreamy haze. There's also a gently undulating green lawn, ideal for a picnic or simply lying back to watch the clouds on a sunny day.
Gongming Square
Built in 1996, Gongming Square has changed several times over the years, but it still holds countless footprints and memories. In the past, the square came alive at night with snack vendors, toy stalls, and festive ring-toss games during holidays. For many local families, it was also where they took their first family portrait.
Location: Gongming Subdistrict, Guangming District
Metro: Line 6 to Heshuikou Station (合水口站), Exit A
