Visitors interact with a clowns at the Guanlan Ancient Market in Longhua on April 25, the opening day of the fourth Guanlan Ancient Market Cultural Season. Photos by Chen Jianhua

A centuries-old market in Longhua District is being reimagined as a lively cultural playground, as the fourth Guanlan Ancient Market Cultural Season opened on April 25 with a blend of heritage, technology and street-level experiences.

The three-month event aims to turn the historic area into a destination for culture, leisure and spending, drawing both residents and visitors to one of the city’s best-preserved traditional neighborhoods.

Under the theme “Fun at the Ancient Market,” this year’s program is built around sightseeing, interactive experiences and shopping, with a diverse lineup of activities designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

At the heart of the program is a waterfront market that brings the historic streets to life. Along the arcaded lanes, visitors can browse handcrafted goods, sample local flavors and watch live performances ranging from shadow puppetry to Yingge dance and instrumental shows, creating a lively, immersive atmosphere throughout the day and into the evening.

Yingge dance performers dance to the beat of drums at the Guanlan Ancient Market in Longhua during the cultural season.

A key highlight is the launch of the “Guanlan Ancient Market · Anyuan Pavilion,” a digital exhibition space developed through cooperation between Longhua District and Anyuan County in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province. Using virtual reality technology, the pavilion offers panoramic displays of southern Jiangxi’s landscapes and Hakka culture, creating an interactive cross-regional experience for visitors.

New attractions add further appeal to the historic streetscape. The “Guanlan Memories” cultural space has opened to the public, while lantern installations inspired by Asia-Pacific patterns illuminate the old arcade buildings at night. As evening falls, the narrow lanes fill with visitors, as traditional shopfronts meet contemporary cultural displays.

Technology-driven experiences are also part of the mix. A pop-up zone developed with a local 3D printing company allows visitors to design and produce personalized souvenirs, offering a hands-on glimpse into Longhua’s advanced manufacturing sector alongside its cultural heritage.

Visitors explore the Guanlan Ancient Market in Longhua during the cultural season, as the centuries-old neighborhood comes alive with activity.

To accommodate increased foot traffic, Shenzhen Bus Group has introduced dedicated shuttle services on weekends and public holidays, linking metro stations, commercial areas and parking facilities. The improved transport network is designed to ease congestion and make the historic district more accessible.

The event is jointly organized by several Longhua District authorities and supported by partners from Anyuan County in Jiangxi Province. At the opening, Huang Limin, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Longhua District Committee and head of its publicity department, said the initiative is part of efforts to integrate culture, tourism and technology to revitalize the historic area.