Luohu's Dongmen has another free photo spot. The "Cocoa Star · Shenzhen Chocolate Museum" (可可主角·深圳巧克力博物館), which opened in August 2026, is tucked away on Level B1 of De'ao Mall in Dongmen Old Street. The entire museum was crafted by hand over more than two months using dozens of tonnes of cocoa material, displaying over 40 chocolate sculptures — from J-20 fighter jets, aircraft carriers and Long March 5 rockets to the Mona Lisa and Shenzhen landmarks, all made of chocolate. Best of all: free entry, no booking required.
What to See Inside
The museum spans two floors, with three parallel themes — "military & aerospace + city landmarks + famous artworks" — and the styles contrast sharply, making it especially photogenic:
- Military & Aerospace Series: Large chocolate models of J-20 fighter jets, aircraft carriers, Long March 5 rockets and Dongfeng missiles, realistically scaled with details down to visible screws.
- City Landmarks Series: A cluster of Shenzhen landmarks built from chocolate, set off by lighting — the most popular photo spot.
- Famous Artworks Series: Masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa recreated in cocoa paste; up close you can see the texture of the chocolate itself.
- Mechanical Theme: Robotic dinosaurs, humanoid robots and more — kids' favourites.
You can smell rich chocolate the moment you walk in. The museum has an immersive design, with explanations beside each piece, so it's both easy to understand and great to photograph. If you're bringing children, this is a "see it, smell it, photograph it" three-in-one experience — more engaging than an ordinary display-only museum.
Basic Information
| Name | Cocoa Star · Shenzhen Chocolate Museum (可可主角 · 深圳巧克力博物館) |
|---|---|
| Address | Level B1, De'ao Mall, Dongmen Old Street, Luohu District, Shenzhen |
| Opening | August 2026 (officially open to the public) |
| Tickets | Free entry, no booking required |
| Opening Hours | Follows mall hours; shops around Dongmen Old Street generally operate 10:00–22:00; check on-site notices for exact times |
| Add-ons Inside | DIY baking classes available; fees as posted on-site |
Getting There: Direct by Metro to Laojie Station
- Luohu Checkpoint: Take Line 1 from Luohu Station, two stops to Laojie Station, then a few minutes' walk to Dongmen Old Street.
- Futian Checkpoint: Take Line 4 to Convention & Exhibition Center Station, transfer to Line 1 to Laojie Station (about 25 minutes).
- Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: Take Line 13 to Houhai Station, transfer to Line 2 to Grand Theatre Station, then transfer to Line 1 to Laojie Station (longer journey, about 60 minutes).
- Liantang Checkpoint: Take Line 2 to Hubei Station, then walk about 10 minutes into Dongmen.
Laojie Station is the interchange of Metro Line 1 and Line 3, with many exits — just follow the signs for "Dongmen Old Street / De'ao Mall" and you can't go wrong.
Dongmen Day Trip Route (Doable in Half a Day)
- 11:00 Dongmen Old Street: Exit Laojie Station and start with street snacks — Dongmen street food costs ¥20–40 per person for a full meal, with grilled squid, rice rolls and sweet soups galore.
- 12:30 Chocolate Museum: Level B1 of De'ao Mall; see the 40 chocolate sculptures, allow about 40–60 minutes for photos; add an extra hour if you want to try the DIY baking class.
- 14:00 Dongmen Town Shopping Plaza: Clothes, shoes, socks and household goods at prices lower than Hong Kong malls — good for a leisurely browse.
- 16:00 Shenzhen MixC: One stop on Line 1 to Grand Theatre Station (Exit F, 360 metres' walk); upscale brands, restaurants and dessert shops are concentrated here, so you can have dinner on site.
- 18:30 Head back: Take Line 1 from Grand Theatre Station back to Luohu Station to cross the border.
What Else Is Nearby
- Siyue Academy (思月書院): A century-old academy inside Dongmen Old Street, free to visit — a good place to rest when you're tired of walking.
- Luohu Yitian Holiday Plaza: A large mall with restaurants and supermarkets concentrated together — convenient for buying souvenirs.
- MixC: An upscale mall along Shennan East Road in Luohu District, directly connected to Grand Theatre Station — no worries even when it rains.
Photo Spots and Shooting Tips
The three most popular photo spots inside: first, the large chocolate fighter jet in the military & aerospace zone — shoot from a front diagonal angle to capture the whole aircraft; second, the chocolate skyline in the city landmarks series — best shot as a silhouette against the light boxes behind; third, the chocolate Mona Lisa in the artworks zone, where the distinct light and dark tones give it more depth when shot against the light. All exhibits are chocolate, and the museum is kept at a fairly low temperature, so the chocolate surfaces have a slight matte finish — when photographing, turn off your flash and use the on-site lighting.
For portraits, wear light-coloured clothing — the museum's overall tones are dark brown, so light clothing contrasts strongly beside the chocolate sculptures and produces the best results. The museum spans two floors; work your way through the upper floor first, then head down to the ground floor so you don't double back.
What Else to Buy at Dongmen Old Street
Dongmen Old Street, where the Chocolate Museum is located, is itself one of Shenzhen's oldest commercial districts — after the museum you can go straight to street shopping:
- Dongmen Town Shopping Plaza: Clothing, shoes, socks and household goods concentrated together, at prices far lower than Hong Kong malls — ideal for one-stop shopping.
- Siyue Academy (思月書院): A century-old academy hidden in the old street, free to visit and the most historic spot in Dongmen.
- Street snacks: Grilled squid, rice rolls, fried chicken wings and sweet soups — ¥20–40 per person for a full meal, cheaper than mall restaurants.
- Souvenirs: Mooncakes, sweets and dried fruit shops cluster around the old street; gift boxes before festivals cost 30–50% less than in Hong Kong.
Overall, Dongmen suits a half-day combination of "morning street food + midday museum + afternoon mall" — no special route planning needed, just walk from Laojie Station.
Practical Tips
- Weekday afternoons are most comfortable: Dongmen gets extremely crowded on weekends and holidays; the museum needs no booking, but you may have to queue for photos when it's busy.
- Shoot towards the lights: The museum's lighting is on the warm side; use your phone and shoot towards the light to capture the chocolate textures best.
- Watch the kids: The exhibits are made of chocolate and must not be touched — keep an eye on little hands.
- Cash isn't always accepted: Most Dongmen shops take WeChat Pay / Alipay; small shops may not accept cash, so link your card in advance.
- Take your rubbish with you: After buying street snacks, find a recycling bin — Dongmen has plenty of cleaners, so don't litter.
FAQ
Do I need a ticket or booking for the Chocolate Museum?
No. Free entry, no booking — just walk in. The museum also offers DIY baking classes as a paid add-on; fees as posted on-site.
What's the easiest way to get there?
After crossing at Luohu Checkpoint, take Line 1 two stops to Laojie Station, then walk a few minutes to Level B1 of De'ao Mall on Dongmen Old Street — the most direct route. From Futian Checkpoint, go to Convention & Exhibition Center Station and transfer to Line 1.
Can I eat chocolate inside?
The museum focuses on art sculptures; exhibits must not be touched or eaten. If you want to eat, head to the dessert and chocolate shops on Dongmen Old Street.
Where else can I go after the museum?
We suggest combining it with Dongmen Town Shopping Plaza, Shenzhen MixC (Grand Theatre Station Exit F) or Luohu Yitian Holiday Plaza for a half-day to full-day itinerary; heading back to Luohu Checkpoint to cross the border in the early evening is most convenient.
Latest On-the-Ground Report: Address, Hours and the 4 Main Zones
- Address: No. 1014 Jiefang Road, Dongmen Subdistrict, Luohu District, Shenzhen (Level B1, De'ao Mall)
- Opening Hours: About 09:00–23:00 (a long-term open attraction)
- Tickets: Free, no booking — just walk in; chocolate purchases and DIY experiences inside are paid separately
- Four Main Zones: Exhibition Zone, Baking Hall, Product Hall, Cultural & Creative Hall
The museum used dozens of tonnes of cocoa material and took more than two months to craft entirely by hand. The Aerospace Zone features a two-metre-tall "Dongfeng missile", a "J-20" wing and an aircraft carrier; the City Landmarks Zone has a rotating Happy Harbour ferris wheel plus miniature models of Window of the World, the Civic Center, China Resources Tower and the Universiade Center; there's also a chocolate oil painting corridor ("Sunflowers", "Mona Lisa"), a bionic robot zone, and a three-metre-tall chocolate wall at the entrance. About a thousand people visited on opening day.
A reminder: the DIY baking area lets you make your own chocolate, and the Cultural & Creative Hall has exclusive merchandise; weekday mornings are quietest and best for photos. Check the venue's latest announcements for the address and opening hours.
One more note: after crossing at Luohu Checkpoint, take Line 1 or Line 3 to Laojie Station and walk just a few minutes to De'ao Mall — you can combine it with Dongmen Old Street and Dongmen Town Shopping Plaza. The museum has tastings and DIY workshops, great for a leisurely visit with children.
💬 Comments
Loading…