Travel Report: Dongmen Market, Shenzhen.

February 2018. The Dongmen Market district of Shenzhen is one of the oldest parts of the city, with a three hundred year trading history under its belt. If you’re in the mood for some shopping, or even just people watching, this is the place to come for the biggest variety of goods and price ranges to suit all budgets. Prepare yourself though, because Dongmen Market can be pretty chaotic! So roll up those sleeves, flex your elbows and prepare to do battle!

Dongmen Market, Shenzhen.

You’ll have to take Dongmen Market just as you find it! While there are a few branded boutiques and modern malls, for the most part you’ll be stumbling across bargain basement shops, overflowing market stalls and piles of crap right on the street. Sometimes fortune favours the brave, hence it’s a case of dig in and see what you can unearth!

Bags, suitcases, bags and more bags!

Dongmen Market, Shenzhen.

Dongmen Market has a lot of bag shops, from backpacks, school bags and handbags to dozens of stores specialising in suitcases. If it’s a bag you’re after, this is the place!

Dongmen Pedestrian Street, Shenzhen.

The market’s main walkway is Dongmen Pedestrian Street, which is every bit as nuts as this photo suggests. Packed mostly with hole-in-the-wall eateries and stores offering local snacks, sweets and tea, you should allow at least twenty minutes to get to the other side. Looking for a shortcut into Dongmen Square? Yeah, this probably isn’t your street.

Dongmen Square, Shenzhen.

Dongmen Market’s main square reduces the claustrophobia nicely. Moreover, you can check out this enormous bronze wall depicting the area’s market streets in ancient times.

The ancient bell at Dongmen Market, Shenzhen.

Dongmen Square also features this giant bronze bell, hanging authoritatively from the beam of a stone gate. You’ll have to patiently wait your turn for a photo under the bell, as everyone seems to want one.

One of Dongmen Market’s many dumpling houses!

With little interest in shopping, my travel buddy Wonderboy and I came to Dongmen Market purely for a walk and a bite. There are countless eateries around and that day we had our hearts set on dumplings! Happily, this dumpling house near the square served our needs perfectly!

Dongmen Market style dumplings!

In fact, we enjoyed their steamed dumplings so much, we ended up ordering three plates! That was beef and carrot, shrimp and cabbage and minced lamb in case you’re wondering! To visit Dongmen Market for yourself, jump on the subway (Line 1 or 3) and get off at Laojie Station. Take Exit A on the way out.

To read more about Dongmen Market, here’s an article from shenzhen.blog. 

For more on my adventures in the city, check out my other travel reports from Shenzhen.

Like these? Then why not have a leaf through my zillion articles from all around China.

I’ve been living, working and traveling all over the world since 2001. So why not check out my huge library of travel reports from over 30 countries.