Shapowei Art Zone (沙坡尾艺术区), located in Xiamen, Fujian Province, is a vibrant cultural and artistic hub situated at the origin of Xiamen Port, historically known for its role as a sheltered harbor since the Qing Dynasty. The name “Shapowei” originates from the fact that this area marks the end of a large stretch of sandy beach. In the early days, Xiamen Port was a curved bay, shaped like a crescent moon, with golden sandy beaches extending along its coast, earning it the nickname “Jade Shapowei.”
Shapowei Art Zone’s Western District emerged adjacent to the Shapowei Wharf as a creative cultural district for the young. Originally, it was a seafood processing plant that has been transformed through the renovation of old factory buildings such as cold storage facilities, equipment rooms, shellfish purification centers, and warehouses, covering an area of nearly 10,000 square meters. This area represents the first transformation demonstration unit of the “Shapowei Marine Cultural Creative Port” project and is Xiamen’s pioneering young cultural and artistic district.
The Art Zone encompasses various artistic elements including sculpture, pottery, printmaking, fashion design, woodworking, animation, music, paper arts, and film. These elements are housed in studios open to the public free of charge, where artists from different fields personally guide visitors in creative endeavors, allowing everyone to take home their own artistic creations. Additionally, the Art Zone features urban trendy elements such as skateboarding, live music performances, and retro markets, blending life and art seamlessly.
One notable feature is the transformation of the ground floor’s cold storage into a music and arts space, housing Xiamen’s first professional Live House – Real Live. Once a cold and industrial space, it now pulsates with passionate musical performances, hosting over 20 shows monthly. With a total area of approximately 400 square meters, Real Live is equipped with top-notch imported sound systems and lighting equipment, providing a truly professional stage for performers to authentically showcase live music. It primarily showcases original bands, inviting both domestic and international bands to tour Xiamen, catering to diverse music enthusiasts and supporting local young bands and student groups passionate about music.
Outdoors within the factory premises, Shapowei Art Zone boasts Haven Skatepark, the only professional skateboarding park on Xiamen Island, also known as the Shapowei Skatepark. Beyond being a recreational and training ground for extreme sports enthusiasts on regular days, it hosts professional competitions and large-scale events, offering a specialized venue when needed.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0592-2081086 |
Location and Transportation
Shapowei Art Zone is located in Xiamen, Fujian Province, specifically in the Siming District on University Road at Shapowei. To get there, you can take bus 71, 86, 331, B5, or J101 and get off at Shapowei Stop (沙坡尾站).
