Shenzhen Bay MixC unveils plans for four world-class cultural venues

Video by Wang Haolan

Shenzhen Bay MixC is set to reshape the city’s cultural and commercial landscape following a strategic launch and signing ceremony held yesterday morning at the China Resources Tower in Nanshan District.

Guests pose for a photo at a strategic launch and signing ceremony held at the China Resources Tower in Nanshan District yesterday morning. Photos courtesy of the event organizers

Jointly operated by Shenzhen Nanshan Culture & Sports Industry Co. Ltd. and China Resources Mixc Lifestyle, the prominent shopping center will introduce four premier cultural venues, marking its evolution from a luxury retail hub to a comprehensive cultural and commercial landmark in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

During the signing ceremony, Liu Jie, general manager of Shenzhen Bay MixC, detailed the overall planning and strategic positioning of the four new spaces. The event also featured remarks from Lin Weichun, chairman of Shenzhen Nanshan Culture & Sports Industry Co. Ltd, and Guo Hongliang, general manager of South China Region (Commercial) of China Resources Mixc Lifestyle.

A computer-generated image of Fotografiska Shenzhen, the photography institution’s fifth global location and its first permanent venue in South China. The museum is scheduled to open Oct. 1. 

The centerpiece of the expansion is Fotografiska Shenzhen, established through a partnership agreement signed by Christian Devillers, executive director of Fotografiska China. Marking the renowned photography institution’s fifth global location and its first permanent venue in South China, the museum is scheduled to open its doors Oct. 1, 2026, and will feature year-round, world-class photography, video, and new media art exhibitions. The venue will also bring Mona, a popular Shanghai-based art restaurant, to Shenzhen for the first time.

“Shenzhen has always been on the map. We've looked at five or six cities in China, Shenzhen was already on the list,” Devillers told Shenzhen Daily in an exclusive interview. He added that Shenzhen Bay MixC is a "great local partner" backed by experienced, culturally minded teams who deeply understand the local landscape.

Devillers revealed that Fotografiska Shenzhen will collaborate with renowned cultural institutions and artists to present its inaugural exhibitions, including Toiletpaper Magazine and Beijing artist Shi Guowei. Additionally, the museum will set up a semi-permanent exhibition in a 500-square-meter space to showcase oversized pieces that mix 2D printing, installations and videos.

A promotional photo of the immersive theater production "Sleep No More." The project will land at Shenzhen Bay MixC later this year.

Another major addition is the Shenzhen debut of the globally acclaimed immersive theater production “Sleep No More.” Following the conclusion of its Shanghai run this August — which has generated over 600 million yuan (US$82.6 million) in box office revenue and attracted more than 700,000 visitors over a decade since it was introduced to Shanghai in 2016 — an upgraded version of the production will land at Shenzhen Bay MixC later this year.

Signed in partnership with Zhao Chenlin, vice president of Shanghai Media Group Live, and Zhang Zhen, general manager of Shenzhen Media Group Good Media, the Shenzhen edition will integrate global expertise with local cultural preferences. The production will feature a newly designed, expansive multi-level space where audiences can freely explore and interact with the cast.

A scene at the “David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)” exhibition in London. 

In collaboration with Han Yiwen, vice president of OUTPUT and president of OUTPUT EXPERIENCE, the complex will host the BASE Digital Art Center — China’s first, South China’s only permanent Lightroom venue. The center, set to open in the second half of 2026, will feature a 1-to-1 replica of London’s Lightroom flagship, boasting a 16-meter-high exhibition hall. Its inaugural showcase will be “David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away),” offering a multisensory, first-person immersive retrospective of the legendary British artist’s work.

A computer-generated image of the Yan Bookstore, slated to open in early 2027. 

The fourth venue, Yan Bookstore, China Resources’ self-operated brand, is slated to open to the public in early 2027. The space is designed as a hub for knowledge and social interaction, aiming to connect diverse global cultures and foster intellectual engagement.

An aerial view of Shenzhen Bay MixC and the Shenzhen Bay area. 

According to Shenzhen Bay MixC, the venues will serve as incubation bases for top-tier cultural intellectual properties, addressing the demand for high-quality performance art in the region and establishing a new benchmark for the integration of culture and commerce in the Greater Bay Area.