VILLAGE DE DAFEN

A few kilometers from downtown Shenzhen, in the Hakka village of Dafen, lies one of the megalopolis' most astonishing places. Here, in full view of passers-by, artists and apprentice painters let their brushes run in a continuous artistic effervescence. It's a fascinating experience to stroll through the lively alleyways of this village, nicknamed the "Montmartre of Shenzhen", observe the skillful brushstrokes and even awaken your hidden talents by trying your hand at painting. Dafen is not only a haven for artists, it is above all the world's largest center for the reproduction of paintings.

Once focused exclusively on the reproduction of famous works, Dafen has become the world's largest painting reproduction center, supplying up to 60% of the art copies on the international market at its peak. By the 2000s, over 8,000 painters and craftsmen were producing millions of paintings here every year, notably for hotels, interior design stores and foreign distributors. Van Gogh's famous Starry Night was even copied and sold over 10,000 times in one year! While demand for these copies has slowed, Dafen has managed to reinvent itself, and the Chinese government now encourages original creations and the development of a genuine local art scene.

The story begins in 1988, when Huang Jiang (黄江), a Hong Kong painter and entrepreneur, moved to Dafen to develop his business. Faced with the high costs of Hong Kong, he found a talented and inexpensive workforce here, ideal for mass-producing copies of famous works for the international market. Within a few years, the village attracted graduates of art schools and self-taught artists alike, and became a key hub of the art industry. Supported by the local government, Dafen is now fully integrated into the Shenzhen metropolitan area and is one of the city's main cultural attractions.

What to bring back? You'll find everything in Dafen, at every price point. Copies of classic masterpieces, original creations by local artists, personalized portraits... you name it. Count on a few hundred RMB for a fine reproduction. You can also bring a family photo, a pet or even an abstract image, and leave with a custom-painted canvas.

How to get there? Metro line 3 (orange), Dafen station, exit A1. A short walk following the signs will take you to the heart of the village.