New arts venues in Shenzhen and Guangzhou give Hongkongers more options for short visits

The year 2025 may be winding down, but the art scene in Guangzhou and Shenzhen is all abuzz with events and openings. In particular, the arrival of two new institutions highlights the Greater Bay Area’s continued determination to become a cultural destination.

The Shenzhen Bay Culture Square (SCS), which officially opened on November 1, is located in Houhai, an area defined by futuristic architecture and a sparkling coastline.

Nicknamed by netizens as the “Airpod building”, the 3.7 billion yuan (US$523 million) government-backed initiative is a 51,000 square metre (550,000 sq ft) complex designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects that is intended to cement Shenzhen’s status as a global capital of design and innovation.

The complex has nine exhibition halls, making it one of the world’s largest design-focused museums, says Han Jiaying, its chief curator.

“The history of Shenzhen is very short, but design has played an important role in the development of the city as a whole,” Han says.

The SCS launched with a slate of eight inaugural exhibitions, with highlights including “Solid Light” by Anthony McCall. It is the British artist’s first exhibition in mainland China and features immersive light installations that recently captivated audiences at the Tate Modern in London.