What is Dafen Oil Painting Village and why is it famous?

Dafen is the world's largest oil-painting reproduction hub. Started in 1989 as a Hong Kong entrepreneur's outsourcing experiment, by 2005 it was producing the majority of the world's painting reproductions. Thousands of painters work in open-front studios, churning out replica Van Goghs and Monets alongside a growing layer of original-artist studios.

Can I commission a custom painting from my own photo at Dafen?

Yes, this is one of the most popular things to do here. Many studios will paint a custom portrait from a photo you provide, typically from around 300 RMB depending on size and detail. Turnaround is usually two to three days, and studios can arrange international shipping if you can't wait to carry it.

Is Dafen Oil Painting Village free, and how do I pay?

Entry to the village is free and it's reachable directly by metro. Bring small bills in cash for street vendors and replica stalls, since many are cash-only, while larger studios accepting custom commissions are more likely to take Visa. Note many studios close on Sundays, so visit on a weekday afternoon.

Dafen Oil Painting Village, Shenzhen: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

The world’s largest oil-painting reproduction village — 8,000+ painters cranking out copies of Van Goghs and Monets at $20 each.

At a glance

What it is: Arts & Culture
Also known as: 大芬油画村 (Dàfēn Yóuhuà Cūn)
Opening hours: 9 AM – 6 PM
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Best time to visit: Weekday afternoons; many studios closed Sundays
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only, Visa
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: Dafen Village, Buji Subdistrict, Longgang District, Shenzhen · 龙岗区布吉街道大芬村

Dafen Oil Painting Village map & getting there

Map of Dafen Oil Painting Village (大芬油画村) in Shenzhen — nearby streets and metro stations

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Interactive Shenzhen map →

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 龙岗区布吉街道大芬村 · Dafen Village, Buji Subdistrict, Longgang District, Shenzhen

Dafen Village began in 1989 as a Hong Kong reproduction-art entrepreneur’s outsourcing experiment. By 2005 it was producing 60% of the world’s oil-painting reproductions — an estimated 5 million canvases a year. Today the painted-lane economy has matured: alongside the assembly-line replica shops (Van Gogh sunflowers in 12 sizes for $20-200), there are now 1,000+ original-artist studios producing custom commissions and modest fine art. It’s a one-of-a-kind anthropological visit: watch painters work in open-front studios, commission a custom piece from your photo (ready in 2-3 days), or pick up a canvas to ship home. Free entry; bring small bills for vendors, larger for studios accepting cards.

Highlights

Live painting alleysOpen-front studios — watch the process, bargain for canvases
Custom photo-to-portrait commissionFrom 300 RMB; turnaround 2-3 days; ships internationally
Dafen Art MuseumCurated originals from village artists — palette cleanser to the replicas
Buyer tipReplica quality varies widely — inspect brushwork before paying

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

Visit on a weekday afternoon; many studios shut on Sundays and the painted lanes are quiet then.
Replica quality varies hugely between stalls, so inspect the brushwork up close before agreeing on any price.
Carry small cash bills for the street stalls; only the larger commission studios reliably take cards.
Watch painters working in the open-front studios; the live assembly-line process is the real spectacle, not the finished canvases.
If you want a custom piece from your photo, order on day one so the two-to-three-day turnaround fits your trip.
Duck into the Dafen Art Museum for curated village originals; it’s a calm palette cleanser after the replica alleys.
Ask studios about rolled-canvas shipping rather than hauling a framed painting home through airport security.

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps

Photos

Show all 14 photos

Watch creators visit Dafen Oil Painting Village

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

Don’t make this MISTAKE in China 🇨🇳 | Shenzhen to Hong Kong Vlog

DerekVisitsStarts at 6:00

An art, food and culture lover’s guide to Shenzhen 🇨🇳 | China Travel 2026

Sketch and RunStarts at 1:32

Frequently asked questions about Dafen Oil Painting Village

What is Dafen Oil Painting Village and why is it famous?: Dafen is the world’s largest oil-painting reproduction hub. Started in 1989 as a Hong Kong entrepreneur’s outsourcing experiment, by 2005 it was producing the majority of the world’s painting reproductions. Thousands of painters work in open-front studios, churning out replica Van Goghs and Monets alongside a growing layer of original-artist studios.
Can I commission a custom painting from my own photo at Dafen?: Yes, this is one of the most popular things to do here. Many studios will paint a custom portrait from a photo you provide, typically from around 300 RMB depending on size and detail. Turnaround is usually two to three days, and studios can arrange international shipping if you can’t wait to carry it.
Is Dafen Oil Painting Village free, and how do I pay?: Entry to the village is free and it’s reachable directly by metro. Bring small bills in cash for street vendors and replica stalls, since many are cash-only, while larger studios accepting custom commissions are more likely to take Visa. Note many studios close on Sundays, so visit on a weekday afternoon.