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), opened in August 2026, is tucked away on Level B1 of De'ao Mall in Dongmen Old Street. The entire museum was built 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's There to See
The museum spans two floors, with three parallel themes: "military & aerospace + city landmarks + famous artworks". The styles contrast sharply, which makes it especially good for photos:
- Military & Aerospace Series: Large chocolate models of J-20 fighter jets, aircraft carriers, Long March 5 rockets and Dongfeng missiles, realistically scaled with detail down to the 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 step inside. The museum has an immersive design, with explanations beside each piece, so it's both easy to understand and photogenic. If you're bringing kids, this is a "see it, smell it, photograph it" three-in-one — more appealing 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 |
| In-Museum Add-ons | DIY baking classes available, fees as posted on-site |
Getting There: Direct by MTR 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 won't go wrong.
Dongmen One-Day Route (Doable in Half a Day)
- 11:00 Dongmen Old Street: Exit Laojie Station and start with street food — Dongmen snacks cost around ¥20–40 per person to eat your fill, with grilled squid, rice rolls and sweet soups galore.
- 12:30 Chocolate Museum: Level B1 of De'ao Mall, see 40 chocolate sculptures, about 40–60 minutes for photos; allow an extra hour if you want to do a DIY baking class.
- 14:00 Dongmen Town Shopping Plaza: Clothes, shoes, socks and household goods, cheaper than Hong Kong malls — good for a leisurely browse.
- 16:00 Shenzhen MixC: One stop on Line 1 to Grand Theatre Station (Exit F, walk 360 metres). High-end brands, restaurants and dessert shops are concentrated here — a good spot for dinner.
- 18:30 Return: 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 within Dongmen Old Street, free to visit — a 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: A high-end 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 backlit light box; third, the chocolate Mona Lisa in the artworks zone — because the tones are distinctly light and dark, backlighting actually gives it more depth. All exhibits are chocolate, and the museum is kept at a relatively low temperature, so the chocolate surfaces have a slight matte finish. When shooting, turn off your flash and use the on-site lighting.
For portraits, wear light-coloured clothing — the museum's overall tone is dark brown, so light clothing contrasts strongly beside the chocolate sculptures and gives 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, a good deal cheaper 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 — the most historic spot in Dongmen.
- Street snacks: Grilled squid, rice rolls, fried chicken wings and sweet soups — around ¥20–40 per person to eat your fill, cheaper than mall restaurants.
- Souvenirs: Mooncakes, candies 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 combo of "morning street food + midday museum + afternoon mall". No special route planning needed — just walk straight from Laojie Station.
Practical Tips
- Weekday afternoons are most comfortable: Dongmen gets extremely crowded on weekends and holidays. The museum doesn't require booking, but you may need to queue for photos when it's busy.
- Shoot towards the lights: The museum's lighting is on the warm side; using your phone to shoot the chocolate textures near the light sources gives the best results.
- 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 shops in Dongmen take WeChat Pay / Alipay; small shops may not accept cash, so remember to link your card first.
- Take your rubbish with you: After buying street snacks, find a recycling bin — there are plenty of cleaners around Dongmen, 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, with fees as posted on-site.
What's the most convenient 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?
The museum focuses on art sculptures; exhibits cannot 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; returning to Luohu Checkpoint to cross the border in the evening is most convenient.
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