When it comes to cat and dog exhibitions, many people's first thought is a touring show from an overseas museum. But at Futian Civic Center, the special exhibition "Pets & Love — The World of Cats and Dogs," co-hosted by the Shenzhen Museum and the French National Museum of Science and Technology, runs from 30 May 2026 to 8 October — only about two weeks left before it closes. The exhibition features 80 artefacts/sets plus more than 20 original French interactive experiences, telling the story of how cats and dogs have lived alongside humans for tens of thousands of years, and letting you try out "cat and dog superpowers" for yourself.
Exhibition runs until 8 October — last chance over the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays
The exhibition period is 30 May to 8 October 2026, closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays), opening hours 10:00–17:30. The gallery is located in the First Special Exhibition Hall of the Shenzhen Museum Jintian Road Branch (History and Folk Culture Museum), at Area A, Civic Center, Futian District, Shenzhen. From 1 to 7 October, the National Day holiday, Shenzhen is at its busiest, so for a more comfortable visit, aim for a weekday in late September or the morning opening slot on the first day of the holiday.
What's there to see? Two tracks: artefacts and interaction
The exhibition has two tracks: an artefact track with 80 artefacts/sets of cat and dog relics from successive dynasties, from ancient ceramics and paintings to folk objects, explaining when cats and dogs were domesticated and how they became part of daily life; and an interactive track with more than 20 original French exhibits, including "Jump High" (testing how high you can jump compared to a cat), balance challenges, and guess-who games — something to watch and something to play.
There is also an animal science section introducing cats' and dogs' sensory secrets, body language and behaviour, and psychology — great for families: kids play with the interactive exhibits while adults look at the artefacts, so no one gets bored.
Latest for October 2026: summer extended hours have ended, closing date approaching
Note: the Shenzhen Museum's summer evening sessions (open until 21:00) from 1 July to 31 August have ended, and the Jintian Road Branch is now back to 10:00–17:30 (closed Mondays, except statutory holidays). The exhibition runs until 8 October 2026 and will be dismantled after that; as of the update date (early October 2026), only a few days remain before closing, so if you want to go, seize this last window over the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays. According to Shenzhen Government Online and Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, the exhibition displays a total of 80 artefacts/sets of Chinese relics and more than 20 French interactive installations, built around the theme of "decoding cats and dogs, understanding coexistence," with three main chapters: "Their Bodies, Their World," "Understanding Their Silent Language," and "Walking Together with Them."
Ticket prices at a glance (on-site prices, September 2026)
| Ticket type | Price | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Adult ticket | ¥79 | Aged 18 to 65 |
| Child ticket | ¥49 | Aged 6 to 12, and height 120–150 cm |
| Student ticket | ¥59 | Over 1.5 m tall and under 18, or full-time students (with student ID) |
| Senior ticket | ¥49 | Aged 65 to 69 |
| Parent-child ticket (1 adult 1 child) | ¥119 | 1 adult + 1 child under 1.2 m |
| Family ticket (2 adults 1 child) | ¥189 | 2 adults + 1 child under 1.2 m |
| Free | ¥0 | Children under 6, seniors aged 70 or above, people with disabilities, and entitled persons under the "three categories" preferential scheme |
Note: "early-bird tickets at ¥49" are still circulating online, but early-bird tickets went on sale from 9 to 25 May and were only valid for use before 30 June, so they are no longer valid; the prices you'll get on-site and online are those in the table above. Purchase channels are the Shenzhen Museum official WeChat account, the Ctrip travel app (overseas travellers can use Trip.com), and there are also self-service ticket machines in the museum, so you can buy on the spot.
Getting there: 350 m from Exit B of Civic Center Station
The easiest way to reach the Shenzhen Museum Jintian Road Branch is by metro: Line 2 or Line 4 to Civic Center Station, Exit B, then walk about 350 m; by bus, routes 38, 60, 64, M390 and others stop at Civic Center East Station or Civic Center Station. If driving, navigate to Civic Square Car Park and enter from the west entrance.
How to get there from three checkpoints
- Luohu Checkpoint: Line 1 to Convention & Exhibition Center Station, transfer to Line 4 for one stop to Civic Center Station, about 20 minutes in total.
- Futian Checkpoint: Line 4 direct to Civic Center Station, no transfer, just two stops — the most convenient.
- Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: Line 13 to Houhai Station, transfer to Line 2 towards Civic Center Station, about 30 minutes.
Places to visit along the way
The Civic Center area is Futian's most concentrated cultural district: walk out of the museum and you're at Lianhuashan Park (free, with a view of the Futian skyline from the summit); the Shenzhen Museum Ancient Art Branch is at 6 Tongxin Road, Futian District, two metro stops away, also free with no booking required; and Futian COCO Park and Shenzhen Book City Central City are nearby too, so after the exhibition you can eat and buy books — a full half-day out in one route.
Practical tips
- Closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays) — check the day's opening before you set off.
- The gallery closes at 17:30, and last entry is generally within one hour before closing, so aim to enter before 15:00.
- The ticket is "one ticket, all access" — after the special exhibition you can also visit the Shenzhen Museum's other free permanent exhibitions.
- The air conditioning inside is on the cold side, so bring a light jacket for kids; photography is allowed inside, but no flash.
- For a family of four, the "Family ticket 2 adults 1 child" at ¥189 is better value than buying separately (2×79＋49＝¥207).
Who is this exhibition best for?
The first group is pet owners: the artefact section clearly explains the tens of thousands of years of cats and dogs living alongside humans, and you'll feel a deeper connection after seeing it. The second group is families with children — the more than 20 interactive experiences are the kids' domain, while parents can teach a bit of animal science along the way. The third group is museum enthusiasts, because this exhibition is a collaboration between the French National Museum of Science and Technology and the Shenzhen Museum, and its presentation style differs from ordinary artefact exhibitions in mainland China — worth comparing. If you're with seniors, remember there's a ¥49 senior ticket for ages 65 to 69, and free entry for 70 and above; the museum has lifts and is wheelchair accessible.
Bonus: a half-day Civic Center itinerary
The Shenzhen Museum Jintian Road Branch is right in Area A of the Civic Center; after leaving, walk along Fuzhong 3rd Road to Lianhuashan Park, where the summit plaza is the most open spot for viewing the Futian CBD skyline, all free; on the way down, if you want to eat, there are large malls towards the Civic Center and Convention & Exhibition Center, with cheap cha chaan tengs and chain fast food. A combined itinerary could be: 10:00 exhibition, lunch at noon, park in the afternoon, and back to the border before 17:00 — no rush.
FAQ
Do I need to book for the Shenzhen Museum cat and dog special exhibition?
The special exhibition is entry by ticket, and you enter according to your time slot after purchase; the Shenzhen Museum's other free permanent exhibitions generally don't require booking, but during holidays it gets busy, so check the official WeChat account for the day's arrangements.
Can I buy tickets with a Hong Kong identity card / Home Return Permit?
Real-name ticketing is required; with a Home Return Permit you can buy through official channels or Ctrip; for overseas travellers, buying via Trip.com is smoothest — bring your ID for verification on entry.
When does the exhibition close?
It runs until 8 October 2026, after which it will be dismantled, so if you want to see it, seize this Mid-Autumn and National Day window.
Is there parking nearby?
Navigate to Civic Square Car Park and enter from the west entrance; parking is tight during holidays, so taking the metro is recommended.
One last note: ticket prices and opening hours may be adjusted, so refer to the Shenzhen Museum's official announcements.
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