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Shenzhen Talent Park

The lake at Shenzhen Talent Park with a curving lakeside path and the Houhai skyline behind
Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free, no booking; only parking needs a reservation
Opening hours
Daily 6:00–23:00
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Light show
Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, three short shows a night
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Show times, Nov–Mar
19:00, 20:00, 21:00
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Show times, Apr–Oct
19:30, 20:30, 21:30
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Talent Bookstore (Qiuxian Pavilion)
8:00–22:30
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Metro
Talent Park (Line 13) exit B; Houhai (Lines 2, 11, 13) exit G; Dengliang (Line 2) exit C
Time needed
1–1.5 hours; for the show, arrive 30 minutes early
Best time
Friday or Saturday, sunset through the first show
Paying for snacks
Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card; some cash in yuan
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Coordinates
22.51129, 113.94675YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

Freeto enter — no tickets and no booking
2 sourcesShenzhen BendibaoTravel of China
6:00–23:00daily park opening hours
2 sourcesShenzhen Government OnlineChinese Wikipedia
Fri, Sat & holidayslight show nights on the towers across the lake — three shows an evening
2 sourcesTravel of ChinaShenzhen Bendibao (unofficial)
77 hapark area, about 30 ha of it water
2 sourcesShenzhen Government OnlineChinese Wikipedia
1 Nov 2017opened on Shenzhen's first Talent Day
2 sourcesShenzhen Government OnlineChinese Wikipedia
392.5 mChina Resources Tower, the 'Spring Bamboo' (春笋), across the lake
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaSkyscraper Museum (≈ 393 m)
Line 13Talent Park station next to the park, opened in 2024
SourceEnglish Wikipedia (Talent Park and Houhai stations)
580 mfrom Dengliang exit C to the Qiuxian Pavilion — about 10 minutes on foot
2 sourcesShenzhen Government OnlineEye on Shenzhen (≈ 1 km to the nearest gate)
π Bridgea bridge lined with the digits of pi, plus a formula walkway and the Starlight Bridge
2 sourcesChinese WikipediaTravel of China
Spring CocoonShenzhen Bay Sports Center, the park's neighbour
2 sourcesShenzhen Government OnlineEnglish Wikipedia

Shenzhen Talent Park light show times

The show runs on Friday and Saturday evenings and on Chinese public holidays, three times a night. From November to March it starts at 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00; from April to October it moves half an hour later, to 19:30, 20:30 and 21:30. Each run lasts a few minutes — guides say anything from 6 to 15. These times are unofficial, and local sites themselves say to check on the day.

The animation plays across several of the Houhai towers that house big tech companies, and the whole lot reflects in the lake. The best spots are Wuyou Square (无忧广场), the Starlight Bridge and the π Bridge, all on the shore facing the towers. Get there about 30 minutes before the first show on weekends; the waterfront fills up fast.

Now and then there are big drone shows as well — around Lunar New Year, National Day and other city celebrations. They don't follow a fixed schedule, and crowds on those nights are much bigger, so arrive at least an hour early and allow extra time to get home.

What is Shenzhen Talent Park?

Shenzhen Talent Park (深圳人才公园) wraps around a large lake in Houhai, Nanshan district, right on Shenzhen Bay. It opened on 1 November 2017, the city's first Talent Day, as a tribute to the engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs who turned Shenzhen into China's tech capital. It covers 77 hectares, about 30 of them water.

The 'talent' theme is taken literally. There's a bridge printed with the digits of pi, a walkway engraved with formulas up to E=mc², a wall of honour, a grove and a hill dedicated to academicians and notable people, and the Qiuxian Pavilion with a bookstore and café. A rubberised running loop circles the lake, past playgrounds, reed beds and shallows where egrets feed.

The real draw, though, is the view. Across the water stand the Houhai headquarters towers and the 392.5 m China Resources Tower, nicknamed the 'Spring Bamboo'. At night they mirror in the lake, and at weekends their façades light up in sync.

Is it worth it? YesGo's take: by day it's a pleasant but ordinary city park, not worth crossing Shenzhen for. On a Friday or Saturday night it's one of the best free things to do in the city. If you're in Nanshan in the evening, go.

How to get to Shenzhen Talent Park

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From Civic Center in Futian (Lines 2 and 4), ride Line 2 one stop west to Futian and change to Line 11 towards the airport.
  2. Ride Line 11 three stops to Houhai (Lines 2, 11 and 13). Allow about half an hour from Civic Center, change included.
  3. For the shortest walk, change to Line 13 and go one stop to Talent Park station — exit B, about 10 minutes to the park.
  4. Or leave Houhai by exit G (by Shenzhen Bay MixC mall) and walk about a kilometre to the north gate — roughly 15 minutes.
  5. For the west gate and the Qiuxian Pavilion, Dengliang (Line 2) exit C is closest — 580 m, about 10 minutes.
  6. By taxi or DiDi, show the driver 深圳人才公园; parking at the park is limited and must be booked ahead.

Things to do in Shenzhen Talent Park

  • Photograph the 'Spring Bamboo' — the China Resources Tower across the lake; the classic shot is from Wuyou Square or the Starlight Bridge at dusk.
  • Cross the Starlight Bridge (人才星光桥) — the lit-up bridge over the lake and a prime light show spot.
  • Find the π Bridge (π桥) — lined with the digits of pi, which glow after dark.
  • Walk the Formula Corridor (公式长廊) — maths and physics formulas carved in stone; fun with school-age kids.
  • Climb Baijie Hill (百杰山) by the wall of honour — a small rise with a view over the lake.
  • Stop at the Qiuxian Pavilion (求贤阁) — bookstore, café and toilets; the bookstore is open 8:00–22:30.
  • Run the lake loop — about 2.5–2.7 km depending on the source; busy with runners at dawn.
  • Watch the birds in the reeds and shallows — egrets come in from the bay.

How long to spend and when to go

A lap of the lake with stops on the bridges takes an hour to an hour and a half. If you're here for the show, arrive around sunset, walk the loop in daylight and claim a spot by the water half an hour before the first run. The park stays open until 23:00, and Shenzhen's metro runs until around midnight — check last trains for your line at the station.

Mornings are cool and full of runners; summer middays are hot, with little shade along the water. Entry is free, but the café and kiosks take QR payments: link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay with your passport before you travel, and carry a little cash in yuan. Shenzhen Metro gates also accept contactless foreign bank cards.

Before your evening at the park

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Shenzhen after dark

Shenzhen spots worth going to after sunset, scored by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Ping An Finance Centre451 h 15 min¥200 at the counter, from ¥180 online11.0 km
Lianhuashan Park421 h 15 minFree11.7 km
Dongmen Pedestrian Street361 hFree17.8 km
Shenzhen Talent Parkyou are here301 hFree—
Window of the World274 h¥220, evening ¥1203.8 km
Bay Glory Ferris Wheel241 h¥140–150, more on holidays7.5 km
Splendid China Folk Village244 h¥220, evening ¥1204.6 km

West Shenzhen in a day: old town, big wheel and light show

Nantou's old walled town by day, the bayside Ferris wheel at sunset, then Talent Park for the light show. Add it to your trip and YesGo fills in the timings and transfers.

  1. Nantou Ancient City1 h 30 min · Free, museum included
  2. 57 min walk from the previous stopBay Glory Ferris Wheel1 h · ¥140–150, more on holidays
  3. 130 min walk from the previous stopShenzhen Talent Parkyou are here1 h · Free

3 places · about 6 h 37 min with walks · 187 min on foot in total

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How to do it right

  • Walk the lake loop in daylight, then head back to the Starlight Bridge or Wuyou Square before the first show.
  • For people-free photos, come at dawn: the gates open at 6:00 and the towers reflect in still water.
  • After the show, wander across to Shenzhen Bay Park for the sea breeze along the promenade.
  • Kids love the playgrounds and bridges, but hold hands by the water on show nights — it's easy to get separated in the crowd.
  • Missed the weekend? The towers are still lit on weeknights — a short stroll is worth it if you're nearby.

Questions

What time is the light show at Shenzhen Talent Park?

Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, three shows: 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00 from November to March, 19:30, 20:30 and 21:30 from April to October (unofficial; cancelled in bad weather).

Is Shenzhen Talent Park free?

Yes. There's no ticket and no booking for the park; only the car park needs a reservation.

What are Shenzhen Talent Park opening hours?

Daily from 6:00 to 23:00. The bookstore in the Qiuxian Pavilion opens 8:00–22:30.

How do I get to Shenzhen Talent Park by metro?

Line 13 to Talent Park station, exit B, or Lines 2 and 11 to Houhai, exit G, then about 15 minutes on foot. Dengliang (Line 2) exit C is closest to the west gate.

Where is the best spot to watch the light show?

Wuyou Square, the Starlight Bridge and the π Bridge all face the towers across the lake. Arrive 30 minutes early on weekends.

Is Shenzhen Talent Park worth visiting?

In the evening, yes — especially on a show night. By day it's a nice but ordinary park, worth it only if you're already in Nanshan.

How long do you need at Shenzhen Talent Park?

An hour to an hour and a half for a lap of the lake; about two hours if you wait for a show.

Are there drone shows at Talent Park?

Sometimes, on big holidays and city celebrations, but with no fixed schedule. Expect huge crowds and arrive an hour early.

What is the 'Spring Bamboo' tower?

China Resources Tower, 392.5 m tall, in Houhai — its ribbed shape looks like a bamboo shoot. You see it across the lake from the park.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Shenzhen Government Online: Talent Park pages — address, opening hours, area, metro, Qiuxian Pavilion bookstore
  • Chinese Wikipedia: 深圳人才公园; Wikidata Q125343447
  • English Wikipedia: Talent Park and Houhai stations, Shenzhen Metro Lines 2 and 11, China Resources Headquarters, Shenzhen Bay Sports Center
  • Travel of China: Shenzhen Talent Park guide — light show, seasonal times, metro exits, bridges
  • Shenzhen Bendibao: Talent Park — entry, parking, viewing spots and show times
  • Eye on Shenzhen: Spring Festival light show; getting to the park
  • Skyscraper Museum: China Resources Tower
  • Shenzhen Government Online: foreign bank cards accepted on Shenzhen Metro
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 04.11.2026 ·
How we checkedPark and bookstore hours come from the Shenzhen government pages and match Chinese Wikipedia. We found no official light show timetable: show days and seasonal times agree between Travel of China and Shenzhen Bendibao (which says they follow the Civic Center show), so they're marked as verifying; sources disagree on how long each show lasts. Guides name exit F, G or H at Houhai — we give G, as the government does. The lake loop is given as 2.5 or 2.7 km. Travel time from Civic Center is our estimate from the line map.

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