Futian is endeavoring to build a greenway network that will link parks, communities and small roadside parks. In two or three years, a 55-km greenbelt will connect Meilin Hill in the north with the mangrove nature reserve in the south, Shenzhen Central Park in the east and Qiaocheng Road East in the west.

Mangrove Nature Reserve

Located near Shenzhen Bay, Mangrove Nature Reserve is the country's only national natural reserve in an urban downtown and is also the country's smallest natural reserve. About 100,000 migratory birds of 189 species come to the reserve every winter, and more than 20 of the species are rare and protected. There also are 55 species of rare plants. The reserve forms a green corridor through downtown between Binhai Boulevard and Shenzhen Bay. Numerous bird-watchers, strolling couples and people simply enjoying bay breezes are attracted to the reserve every day.

Metro: Zhuzilin Station（竹子林站）, Exit B1, transfer to Bus 26, and walk around 740m

Buses: Hongshulin Stop: J1, 76, 80, K113, 229, 231, 305, 317, 322, 337, 382, K204, K105

Add: Near Binhai Boulevard, Xiasha Village, Futian District

Tel: 0755-83714948

Lotus Hill Park

A spring morning on Lotus Hill is known as one of the eight most-attractive scenes in Shenzhen. On the north end of the city's central area, the 106-meter-high hill gets its name from its lotus-like shape. Covering 166 hectares, the park is the largest public green space in the city's central area. Its main landscapes include an artificial lake, a kite square, woods, grassy lawns and a teahouse. At the crest of the hill is a plaza where people can get a bird's-eye view of the city. In the plaza stands a tribute to late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. The 10-meter-tall statue was the first urban statue of Deng approved by the Central Government. On Nov. 14, 2000, former national leader Jiang Zemin unveiled the statue to the public.

Metro: Lianhua West Station(莲花西站）, Exit A1, and walk around 650m

Buses: Peking University Hospital Stop: 25, 338, 10, 14, 15, 25, 35A, 38, 41, 54, 60, 65, 71, 107, 111, K105, 235, 236, 237, 350, 374, 383, 391

Add: 6030 Hongli Road, Futian District

Tel: 0755-83067950

Meilin Park

The Meilin area gets its name from numerous plum trees that stood in the area in ancient times. Today, the area is covered with beautiful litchi trees, green mountains and fresh springs. It is only a few kilometers from the downtown area and is an ideal place for outdoor activities.

Metro: Shangmeilin Station(上梅林站）, Exit B, transfer to b821

Buses: Meilinyicun Stop: 111, 201, 207, 218, 222 and so on

Add: 14 Meiting Road, Futian District

Tel: 0755-83507391

Litchi Park

Situated in busy downtown Shenzhen, Litchi Park is known as the "No. 1 park in Shenzhen." In recent years, many famous scholars and literary lovers have visited the park to inscribe poems and calligraphies on stones and rocks.

Built in 1982, the park got its name from its 500 litchi trees and held a special place in the hearts of Shenzhen's earliest residents. Covering 288,820 square meters, the present-day park features lakes, pavilions, bridges and cobblestone roads.

Metro: Hongling Station(红岭站）, Exit A; walk around 500m

Buses: Lizhi World Stop: 16, 325, 326, 332

Add: 1009 Hongli Road, Futian District

Tel: 0755-82095655

Bijia Mountain Park

Located north of downtown Shenzhen, Bijia Mountain Park (Penholder Mountain Park) covers 146 hectares and has more than 10 small hills. The three main peaks have a shape like a penholder used for traditional Chinese calligraphy. The main peak is about 178 meters high.

Green landscapes are important features of the park, which is home to a variety of animals and plants and is a great place for citizens to escape from busy work.

Two artificial lakes and a grass course are built in the park, which also has public fishing and barbecue facilities. A wide selection of outdoor events are held in the park on a regular basis.

Metro: Lianhuacun Station（莲花村站）, Exit C, transfer to b686

Buses: Bijia Mountain Park Stop: 11, 102, 209, 302 and so on.

Add: Nigang Road West, Futian District

Tel: 0755-83246662

Shenzhen Agricultural Science Center Space Crop Park

Jointly opened by Shenzhen Nongke Group and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Space Crop Park opened in October 2004 and sent seeds and plants from Shenzhen to outer space for the first time. Space Crop Park and the space incubation base include a 420,000-square-meter biological garden and a 432,666-square-meter base in Pingshan New Area. It is also a tourism spot and an education base for citizens. There are more than 30 types of space crops.

Metro: Xiangmi Station(香蜜站）, Exit D, walk around 1.3km

Buses: Kangjiajituan East Stop: 121, 123, 21, 245, 26, 32, 338, 369

Add: Shenzhen Agricultural Science Center, Nongxuan Road, Futian District

Tel: 0755-83712325

Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park

Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park was the venue for the fifth China International Garden and Flowers Exposition and features garden landscapes and horticulture, along with architectural styles from around the world. Covering 66 hectares, the park has 45 areas including a pagoda, two halls, three bridges, four lakes and six zones. A nine-story pagoda made of iron and glass stands in the northeast of a garden on a small hill overlooking the park.

Metro: Qiaocheng East（侨城东站）, Exit A, and walk around 1km

Buses: Yuanboyuan Stop: 109, 113, 121, 123, 204, 209, 210, 21, 222, 223, 232, 234, 245, 26, 319, 338, 350, 367, 49, 54, 59, N4, N5, N6, 12

Add: West of Zhuzilin, at the intersection of Shennan Boulevard and Qiaocheng Road East, Futian District

Tel: 0755-83700639

Shenzhen Children's Park

Shenzhen Children's Park is a public amusement park for young children. Opened in 2011, it has 14 types of rides -- including a pirate ship, roller coaster and more -- and several interactive activities for children of different ages. There also are three free programs suitable for very young children. Most rides cost 5 yuan per person (the same for child and adult).

Metro: Shekou Line, Qiaoxiang Station（侨香站）, Exit C

Buses: 202

Add: Intersection of Qiaoxiang Road and Nonglin Road, Futian District

Tel: 0755-83712325