Dafen Oil Painting Village
Dafen Oil Painting Village
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
One of the most popular and enjoyable daytrips from Shenzhen, this village is almost entirely dedicated to painting. Get a self-portrait done or request a freshly-painted Van Gogh or Rembrandt.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- Dafen • 6 min walk
- Mumianwan • 10 min walk
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92 within 5 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
569 reviews
Excellent
257
Very good
220
Average
77
Poor
11
Terrible
4
MintLeafSG
Singapore, Singapore100 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
If you are into any form of painting, be it water, oil or plain sketching, you should visit this place. It consists of a number of rows of shophouses but the real action is in the alleys where you can find the artists at work or people paying for a lesson. There are also shops selling painting and art supplies.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce G
Portimao, Portugal581 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Dafen is where we go to relax, to buy art and art supplies, to walk, to see artists in action, to enjoy the architecture and the street vibe. There are art shops as far as the eye can see, workshops that do framing, printing and block mounting. The silk thread art is extraordinary but the oils and watercolors are why people go there. The original work is impressive but the reproductions are what make Dafen for me. Hand painted reproductions that are excellent but do not pretend to be anything other than reproductions.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler
5 contributions
Oct 2022
A couple of blocks of painting shops, everything from modern to old masters. You can watch pictures getting painted or in some shops, you can try by yourself. Also, a good place to buy painting equipment.
Written December 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China21,283 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Although a bit away from downtown, Dafen Oil Painting Village is a surprisingly popular tourist attraction in Shenzhen. A typical urban village in the Chinese city, it is full of galleries and workshops that sell all kinds of paintings. There are also classes on portraits for more interested visitors. Pictures are quite cheap. Metro line 3 links Dafen with Luohu and Futian districts.
Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Apr 2021
Nice to watch some artists painting originals, and others painstakingly painting replicas. The majority, I believe, are oil paintings.
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Sept 2019 • Business
There are many beautiful, high-quality paintings, sculptures, and other works of art on display and for sale in the village. For sale are both originals and great reproductions.
Written September 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viccam59
South Aussie25 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
An absolute must do when visiting Shenzen. Amazing to watch the artists at work. Prices vary depending on what you are looking for. I have an artist that does all my paintings. I email the photo from Australia and when he is finished he posts home to me. Does an awesome job. Had the opportunity to meet him and pick up my paintings this time. Language barrier quite difficult, but usually an interpreter around somewhere who understands basic English.
Could spend a whole day in this village.
Not as easy to get a cab from Dafen as it is to go there, but there is a train station if you know where you are going
Big Walmart across the road for shopper aholics
Could spend a whole day in this village.
Not as easy to get a cab from Dafen as it is to go there, but there is a train station if you know where you are going
Big Walmart across the road for shopper aholics
Written March 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RalphH42
Williamstown, MA206 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
If you want to experience a genuine piece of Shenzhen that is off the usual path, be sure to set aside a few hours to walk through this large village that is tucked away in a corner of the city. To begin with, there is the curious, fascinating and hilarious/sad sight of seeing scores of artists painting copies of Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Starry Night, as well as his blossoming almond branch and several other iconic works. Some are very good; many will trick a passing gaze. They are sold to people who want an "original" oil painting with all of the requisite textures. And while Van Gogh is the star, you can expect to find some other well known works being painstakingly copied in alleys and the major byways of this authentic village where artists, starving and fed, also live. Expect to see families working together to produce their copious copies, with toddlers and infants close at hand (and considerably quiet).
Besides the "artists" making copies, there are also giant copy machines which are printing copies of great works and otherwise on canvas. And there are scads of frame makers turning out frames on which to stretch the canvases as well as the over-priced frames we buy in the USA. Yes, many of the paintings and reproductions and frames on sale in stores such as HomeGoods, Target, etc. must surely hail from this industrious little village.
BUT (and this is a big one), there are also genuine artists making their own original paintings and prints, and some of them are quite fine and well-worth the modest price many of them ask. They are certainly in the minority and for every one of them there must be 20 who are dutifully making copies, but if you take your time, you are bound to find some very gifted artists who are usually as humble and pleasant as they are talented.
Much of the manufactured art (that is not copies of masterpieces) is garish, but it is all fun, and I don't begrudge any of them their taste or their means of making a living.
Also on hand are many artist supply shops, which offer amazingly good deals on well-made brushes, paints, etc. Not only is the village picturesque and photogenic, but it is also a treat to the sense of smell with a mixture of smells from oil paint and freshly cut wood wafting through the air.
Besides the "artists" making copies, there are also giant copy machines which are printing copies of great works and otherwise on canvas. And there are scads of frame makers turning out frames on which to stretch the canvases as well as the over-priced frames we buy in the USA. Yes, many of the paintings and reproductions and frames on sale in stores such as HomeGoods, Target, etc. must surely hail from this industrious little village.
BUT (and this is a big one), there are also genuine artists making their own original paintings and prints, and some of them are quite fine and well-worth the modest price many of them ask. They are certainly in the minority and for every one of them there must be 20 who are dutifully making copies, but if you take your time, you are bound to find some very gifted artists who are usually as humble and pleasant as they are talented.
Much of the manufactured art (that is not copies of masterpieces) is garish, but it is all fun, and I don't begrudge any of them their taste or their means of making a living.
Also on hand are many artist supply shops, which offer amazingly good deals on well-made brushes, paints, etc. Not only is the village picturesque and photogenic, but it is also a treat to the sense of smell with a mixture of smells from oil paint and freshly cut wood wafting through the air.
Written March 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rwong1117
Shenzhen, China17 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Great place to come and check out stuff. Or to get artwork framed. Or even to buy some. But please make sure do not get ripped off here. Over priced. I mean 100% over price for some art work. So please make your selection wisely.
If you want you can check Taobao and see how much they are asking for online. I saw couple i like and found it on Taobao. Exactly the same and price was around 70% cheaper. But i live in SHenzhen so i can wait for the shipping.
If you really see something you like. Bargain doesn't hurt.
A lot of artwork are not real. Some are printed. If you walk to the very end of some alleys you will see big printing machines there printing artwork. So make sure you know what your buying before you make a purchase.
If you want you can check Taobao and see how much they are asking for online. I saw couple i like and found it on Taobao. Exactly the same and price was around 70% cheaper. But i live in SHenzhen so i can wait for the shipping.
If you really see something you like. Bargain doesn't hurt.
A lot of artwork are not real. Some are printed. If you walk to the very end of some alleys you will see big printing machines there printing artwork. So make sure you know what your buying before you make a purchase.
Written June 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we_r_2travelers4
Leesburg, FL17 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
We have been to Dafen Village perhaps a half dozen times over the years. If you enjoy art, this is a don't miss experience.
We actually take our paintings from home to Dafen to have them framed - cost is around $25.00 versus $150.00 plus in the States.
We have had family portraits painted and framed.
We have bought replicas of great works of art as well as some originals and some commissioned pieces.
We have used Shenzhen Fine Art for painting,framing, and shipping. 3F, Qing Xie Chang Complex, Hu Xi Road (West of Keyuan Community),
website szfineart.com Tel: 86755-8415-5272
We have left our accumulations of purchases from them and elsewhere many times and they have always done a great job shipping it all back..They are very helpful people and speak good English.
We actually take our paintings from home to Dafen to have them framed - cost is around $25.00 versus $150.00 plus in the States.
We have had family portraits painted and framed.
We have bought replicas of great works of art as well as some originals and some commissioned pieces.
We have used Shenzhen Fine Art for painting,framing, and shipping. 3F, Qing Xie Chang Complex, Hu Xi Road (West of Keyuan Community),
website szfineart.com Tel: 86755-8415-5272
We have left our accumulations of purchases from them and elsewhere many times and they have always done a great job shipping it all back..They are very helpful people and speak good English.
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wondering if anyone who needs a English guide for you visiting of Dafen Village? If so, I can recommand my friend Baiyun to help you! She lives in this village for years, and she knows the history, the art itself very well.
Leave your comments below or you can contact me by Wechat: fffleming
Written July 16, 2024
I would like to buy an imitation Rothko and Motherwell. Is it possible to commission a work online? What advice do you have regarding not being ripped off.
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Written March 23, 2021
I have a friend who lives in Dafen village now, she knows the history of the village very well and good at English. Very kind and warm hearted people! if you need a guide, she will be the perfect one.
You could contact me by wechat: fffleming
Written July 16, 2024
If you would like his details I am happy to pass it on to you
Written December 30, 2018
Is it really open until midnight? We are debating visiting in the afternoon for a short time, or in the evening around 7:00 for a longer period of time but want to make sure that it is still open before making or choice. When is the best time to go?
Written October 19, 2018
Hi there. I went during the day (allow two hours to stroll around and shop) and returned long before 7 p.m. Unfortunately, I have no idea what time the painters/ artists are around until. Perhaps some are at their easels late into the night ...
Written October 31, 2018
Sahaash
Mumbai, India
What is the cheapest n convenient mode of transport for travelling from Hotel Ramada plaza shenzhen to Dafen oil paininting village..we are 4 travellers 1 senior citizen n be child
Written October 4, 2018
The easiest and most efficient way to get to the "Village"/suburb is by subway [which is modern and inexpensive]. The stop is even called "Dafen"... and there will be riders who also can help identify the station.
I hope that this has been helpful... and enjoy the trip.
Written October 4, 2018
Does anyone know if the airport security gives you any problems for taking a replica painting from this town or anywhere in china out of the country?
Written September 13, 2018
I have never heard of them causing any problems.
Written September 14, 2018
I will be heading to Dafen Village in a week or so and am interested in getting some custom paintings done. Can anyone recommend any gallery/artist/stall?? They are landscapes from photos and a portraits from photos.
Written September 7, 2018
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