Shenzhen Hakka Culture and Art Exploration 1-Day Tour | Gankeng Hakka Town + Dafen Oil Painting Village
Hotel point-to-point transfer with an optional English-speaking tour guide upgrade for an immersive experience into the history and architecture of Shenzhen’s Hakka immigrants. Step into Dafen Oil Painting Village, stroll through gallery streets and alleys, watch painters create works live up close, try zero-experience oil painting creation, and experience the story of the transformation from an ancient Hakka village into an art settlement. This is a fully independent private tour exclusively for you and your traveling companions, with a flexible itinerary that can be slightly adjusted. Gankeng Town: A Hakka village with a history of over 350 years. In Hakka, “keng” refers to a small stream in the mountains, and Gankeng got its name from its sweet spring water. Dafen Village: A Hakka village where tens of thousands of art practitioners gather, blending art into the bustling life of urban villages.
Theme: Traditional Hakka ancient architecture and folk customs + Contemporary oil painting art. Combining the ancient and the modern for a comparative cultural experience, ideal for study tours, parent-child trips, and art enthusiasts.
Highlights: Ancient and Modern Cultural Contrast: Step into the ancient Hakka village to unlock Shenzhen’s local Hakka immigrant culture and Lingnan architectural aesthetics; then visit the oil painting village to learn the story of how an ordinary village grew into an art industry base.
Dual Hands-On Experience: Hakka intangible cultural heritage handicraft + oil painting creation. Say goodbye to superficial sightseeing and immerse yourself in hands-on cultural charm. High Cost-Performance: Free admission to both core districts, with experience projects pay-as-you-go, allowing you to freely choose the projects that interest you.
What to expect
Private Chauffeur Day Tour: Visiting Shenzhen's Two Major Cultural Landmarks
Theme: Traditional Hakka Ancient Architecture & Folk Customs + Contemporary Oil Painting Art, bridging the ancient and the modern for a comparative cultural experience. Ideal for study tours, families, and art enthusiasts.
Gankeng Hakka Town (Approx. 2.5 Hours) Gankeng has over 350 years of history as a Hakka village. In the Hakka dialect, “keng” means a small stream in the mountains; the spring water here is sweet, hence the name Gankeng. Tour: Stroll through ancient alleys, visit traditional Hakka architecture such as Hakka enclosed houses (weilongwu), watchtowers, and Lingnan arcade houses; learn about Hakka folk culture. Optional Experience (Self-funded): Hakka intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, such as Hakka bamboo hat weaving, for an immersive experience of Hakka life and culture. Check in at the ancient streets and taste Hakka snacks (such as ai ban [mugwort rice cakes], salt-baked chicken, and Hakka stuffed tofu).
Dafen Oil Painting Village (Approx. 3 Hours) Originally an ordinary Hakka village, it now gathers tens of thousands of art professionals, transforming from a regular urban village into a world-class oil painting industry base. Tour: Galleries and art alleys, watch artists sketch and create on-site; experience the blending atmosphere of bustling daily life and art. Optional Experience (Self-funded): Zero-basis oil painting experience, where beginners can also complete their own oil painting work. Browse art shops and painting material stores, where decorative paintings and artistic cultural creative products are available for purchase.
Suitable For
✅ Family with kids: Admire ancient architecture while painting ✅ Study tour groups: Hakka history, architecture, and cultural/creative study tours ✅ Art enthusiasts: Ancient village photography, gallery hopping, and artistic sketching excursions
Reviews
Good to know
① There is a lot of outdoor walking in the park; it is recommended to wear comfortable athletic shoes and bring sun protection and drinking water. ② For intangible cultural heritage crafts and oil painting creation projects, it is recommended to book in advance with the tour guide to facilitate reserving spots. ③ Meals are at your own expense throughout; the tour guide only makes recommendations and does not bundle dining. ④ Venue notice: Dafen Art Museum is closed on Mondays; it is recommended to reserve 1.5 hours for oil painting DIY, and if your schedule is tight, you can also just visit the galleries without experiencing the painting. ⑤ Admission to the district is free; the Twenty-Four History Bookstore, Xiaoliangmao Farm, Taiyangshan Art Center, oil painting DIY, and various crafts are all optional self-paid projects.
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