Dafen Oil Painting Village

Overview

Dafen Oil Painting Village is a unique art enclave in Longgang District where thousands of painters produce both reproductions of classic Western masterpieces and original contemporary works. At its peak, Dafen supplied an estimated 60% of the world's commercial oil paintings.

Highlights

• Watch Artists at Work: Visitors can observe painters creating reproductions of Van Gogh, Monet, and Klimt in open-front studios.
• Commission a Custom Painting: Many artists will paint a portrait or landscape from a photograph within days.
• Dafen Art Museum: A modern museum anchoring the village that hosts rotating exhibitions of original work by local artists.

History

Dafen's painting industry was started in 1989 by Hong Kong art dealer Huang Jiang, who brought 26 apprentice painters to the village to produce export art. The community grew rapidly through the 1990s and 2000s, peaking at over 10,000 painters. After the 2008 financial crisis reduced demand for reproduction art, the village has pivoted toward original works and art education.

Visitor Tips

• Bargaining: Prices are negotiable, especially for reproductions.
• Original Art: Seek out the studios on side streets for more interesting original work at reasonable prices.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.