Guanlan Printmaking Village

Guanlan Printmaking Village

Guanlan Printmaking Village is located in Niuhu Community, Guanlan Subdistrict, Longhua District, Shenzhen. It is a typical ancient village inhabited by the Hakka people. The old village is built against mountains and beside water, featuring row houses, ponds, ancient wells, ancestral halls, and watchtowers that exude an old-world charm, creating a unique Hakka residential atmosphere. The village is embraced by towering trees, with swaths of subtropical plants such as coconut palms, mango trees, and banyan trees interconnected, presenting a serene and idyllic landscape.

Guanlan Printmaking Village, this long-renowned Hakka hamlet, is a hidden sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. It is the hometown of Chen Yanqiao, a pioneer of China’s New Woodcut Movement, a renowned printmaker, and art theorist. It is often referred to as “the most beautiful village in Shenzhen.”

In front of Guanlan Printmaking Village lies a vast expanse of rapeseed fields, a picturesque lotus pond, and a strawberry farm. Several late Qing Dynasty watchtowers within the village further enrich its historical and cultural ambiance. Especially during the blooming season of lotuses, coupled with the lush green of rapeseed flowers, the scenery is truly breathtaking. No wonder it is hailed as the most beautiful village in Shenzhen.

In the 1920s, a young man walked out of this very house, holding a paintbrush and carving knife, and went on to become a prominent figure in China’s modern printmaking scene — he was Chen Yanqiao, a literary warrior, printmaker, and educator.

When speaking of Chen Yanqiao and printmaking, one cannot overlook Lu Xun. Lu Xun is considered the father of China’s New Woodcut Movement. He compiled over ten collections of woodcut prints in his lifetime and nurtured a group of pioneers in the new printmaking field, among whom Chen Yanqiao achieved notable success.

In April 1934, Chen Yanqiao began corresponding with Lu Xun and created works under his guidance. They exchanged more than 20 letters, and Chen’s works such as *The Vegetable Worker*, *Natural Disaster*, and *Seeking Shelter* were exhibited at the Paris Revolutionary Exhibition of New Art from China. In his pursuit of printmaking art, Chen Yanqiao emphasized realism and peace, forming a simple yet profound painting style rich in meaning and uniquely expressive. His achievements in printmaking rightfully established him as a leading figure in the New Woodcut Movement.

Due to his legacy in printmaking and following the path of his growth, a National Printmaking Creation Base was established in his hometown, Dasuitian Village. This gave rise to what we now know as Guanlan Printmaking Village.

The concept of contemporary printmaking mainly refers to artworks conceived and created by artists through plate-making and printing processes. Specifically, it involves images printed from plates such as wood, stone, linoleum, copper, or zinc, which are carved or etched using knives or chemical agents.

Guanlan Printmaking Village has a total planned area of 1.4 million square meters, with the central area covering 316,000 square meters. The printmaking village integrates with the ancient Hakka settlement, blending Hakka cultural themes into modern landscape elements. It has established a relatively complete market-oriented operational mechanism, serving as a national-level cultural industry demonstration base with well-equipped facilities, a beautiful environment, and sound social and economic benefits. By combining modern printmaking workshops with the ancient Hakka village, it creates a distinctive cultural element and provides a source of inspiration for artistic creation.

Guanlan Printmaking Village, this long-renowned Hakka hamlet, is a hidden sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, often called “the most beautiful village in Shenzhen.” As a creative base for original printmaking, it serves as an important venue for the Shenzhen Cultural Industries Fair, and its annual Original Printmaking Trade Fair is a significant event in Shenzhen’s cultural calendar. The village is picturesque, filled with a rich humanistic and artistic atmosphere. The old houses in the fields, left unoccupied and undisturbed, add a sense of serenity and tranquility.

Transportation: Take bus 312 directly to Niuhu Printmaking Village, or take buses 68, 788, 313, or 771 for four stops, get off at Fumin Intersection, and walk about 112 meters to reach Guanlan Printmaking Village.

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 20:00

Location: Dasuitian Village, Niuhu, Guanlan, Bao’an District, Shenzhen

Guanlan Subdistrict: Guanlan Subdistrict in Bao’an District, Shenzhen, is the only pilot (demonstration) subdistrict in the city and district for developing a circular economy. It boasts picturesque scenery and is a land of remarkable people. Legend has it that over 200 years ago, a renowned Feng Shui master from Lingnan passed through and, upon seeing the surging, emerald-green river in the village, exclaimed, “What excellent feng shui, what excellent feng shui!” He stayed in the area, sitting by the river every morning to “gaze upon the waves,” and even built a Guanyin Temple, naming the place “Guanlan” (meaning “to observe the waves”). A market later formed here. The name “Guanlan” was first historically recorded in the 24th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty (1819) in the *Xin’an County Annals*. … More details about Guanlan Subdistrict ++