From meteorites to Monet: Shenzhen’s new museums draw Hongkongers beyond dining
Dinosaur fossils, rare meteorites and French Impressionist masterpieces are among Shenzhen’s newest attractions drawing residents across the border on weekends, as Hong Kong’s northbound spending trend evolves beyond dining into cultural tourism. Shenzhen recently unveiled a series of ambitious, mega-scale cultural facilities. Among them is the Shenzhen Natural History Museum, boasting 35,200…
Shenzhen's new museums are attracting Hongkongers for cultural tourism, shifting beyond dining. The Shenzhen Natural History Museum, with 4.6 billion years of Earth's evolution on display, prompted a group of four friends to travel from Hong Kong. Raymond Leung, a manufacturer, said the museum's exhibits, including rare meteorites, were more extensive than what Hong Kong offers.
Angel Yip, a professional, enjoys the museum's spacious exhibits, particularly the 3D cinema and the dinosaur fossils, and visits Shenzhen twice a month. The museum is part of Shenzhen's $800 million plan since 2008 to enhance its cultural infrastructure, with 10 major projects planned. On the opposite side of the border, the Shenzhen International Museum of Art opened in May and showcases European masterpieces and Chinese historical bronze artifacts.
Alex Cheung planned a visit with his girlfriend to see Monet's painting, enjoying the city's unique combination of art and entertainment complexes. Maggie Lai, an architect, visited the museum as part of a trip with her colleagues, finding the architecture and exhibitions more compelling than typical cross-border activities in Hong Kong.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
