Shenzhen Museum, Jintian Road

The hall that answers the question every visitor to Shenzhen ends up asking: what was here before 1979? Inside the Civic Centre's A block, 10,000 sqm of galleries covering ancient Shenzhen, the modern period, folk culture and the market towns the city grew out of. It is free, and since 22 July 2024 it needs no booking at all - walk in through security. The museum's own visitor notice also spells out something no other city in this guide has in writing: holders of foreign passports, Home Return Permits and Taiwan Compatriot Permits may enter through a dedicated priority lane on their identity document alone.