Shenzhen Art Museum and Library + Onionio Restaurant - China

 

I have always avoided going to Mainland my whole life.  I have seen the old part of China where the streets are dirty with garbage everywhere.  Kids were roaming on street and swamping to anyone that look slightly well off to beg for money.  This image stuck in my mind for a very long time, so I have always refused to step across the border to Mainland China.  Years passed and I am ashamed that I have been so biased all these years.  Shenzhen is so well developed in most part, some I feel even more well developed than Hong Kong.  I am surprised by myself that I keep going across the border these days.

This time round, I visited the Shenzhen Art Museum (See 13) which is right next to the Hongshan Station.  It's free to enter to the exhibitions.  Just need to register online on their Wechat channel.  Didn't feel comfortable that I have to enter so much personal information to view a museum though. 

The building is new and huge.  Very modern and spacious.  From the border to Hongshan Station, it's about a 30 minutes ride on the metro.  The area looks like it's still being developed though.  Not many tall buildings.

There were several exhibitions being held at the time I went.  

This was the one I came all the way for~

Anyways, I still visited all the exhibition halls available.  Some are quite interesting.

Finally got to the 2nd floor where the Soul Trembles by Shiota Chiharu was.  Amazed by all the intricate threading in the room. 

Then checked out the other floors~

The Shenzhen Library (See 14) is right next to the Art Museum.

Just another big library.  Similar to ones we would see in universities~

Ended the day with a late brunch at Onionio (Eat 19).  Looks like a fancy cafe.  Saw a lot of hot girls dressed in skimpy clothes taking selfies inside.  I thought the food wouldn't be good as it seems like it's just for photos.  Turns out to be pretty damn good.

Latte is very mild, but pleasant.  Just love how coffee in China isn't very sour.

Then we ordered a matcha cream croissant.

So fattening.

Then a ham and egg with croissant breakfast plate~  Light and flaky croissant.

Beef Bolognese.  Cheesy~  If only it's isn't so early.

CNY 200 for brunch.  Not bad~

Headed to the Liantang border to get back to the other side.

This time getting a savory mochi from Gei Ni Yi Dian Tian 给你一点甜·手工糯米糍(莲塘店) (Eat 20)  Lots of different fillings to choose from.  From sweet to savory.

I picked one with egg yolk and meat floss~

Surprised at how soft the mochi is and it's goes so well with the savory filling.

Point on map:

See 13 - Shenzhen Art Museum

深圳市龙华区民治街道腾龙路30号1栋(深圳美术馆)

See 14 - Shenzhen Library

深圳市龙华区旺民街与腾龙路交叉口东北140米

Eat 19 - Onionio

深圳市罗湖区宝安南路1881号万象城三期L1层T132号铺

Eat 20 - Gei Ni Yi Dian Tian 给你一点甜·手工糯米糍(莲塘店)

深圳市罗湖区莲塘街道莲塘口岸商业城一楼B-08