Niche hiking trails, locations in SZ (I)

Human activities can be slowed down, like what Shenzhen went through last week to curb the resurging COVID-19 pandemic, but you can’t slow the pace of spring. The soothing sunshine, fragrant air, merit birds chirping, lush greens and vibrantly blooming flowers are among the invitations from nature, luring people for a pleasant spring walk. Keep the following list handy that maps out some of the less crowded routes and destinations in Shenzhen, and make a plan for an outdoor weekend after the lockdown.

Meilin Mountain Hiking Trail, Futian

Of all the ideal destinations for a city break in Shenzhen, Meilin Mountain Hiking Trail is without any doubt a hidden gem in Futian’s CBD area. The entrances of the trail, one at the rear Meilin Mountain and the other at Mei’ao Road 8, lie in the easily reached Meilin area in Futian. Stretching from Meilin to the peak of Danaoke Hill, the 2.2km-long footpath takes around two hours to finish, passing through the lush woods and mild slopes on Meilin Mountain before reaching the peak of Danaoke Hill that offers splendid panoramic views of Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts.

Besides its accessibility and impressive peak view, Meilin Mountain Hiking Trail also stands out as the city’s first mountain track built following the trending Leave No Trace (LNT) principle. Founded in 1994, LNT holds the idea that a good wilderness steward should leave nothing behind but footprints. With this philosophy, the ecologically sustainable trail was built mainly with natural materials found in the area, earth, stones and timber from the falling trees, rather than concrete or granite, in an effort to reduce the impact of construction on the environment to a minimum level.

Well-marked paths and resting areas mean it can be tackled alone or with families. Some sections of the trail are easy and friendly enough for children as young as 6.

Taojinshan Greenway, Luohu

Some Luohu residents deem Taojinshan Greenway as a secret garden of the district. Tucked in a valley to the west of Shenzhen Reservoir, the 7.07km-long trail offers easy broad paths as well as moderate hill treks. In spring time, it is a haven for joggers, families and weekend strollers.

Taojinshan Greenway starts at Cuihu community park, passes Buxin Hill and a former patrol route for border guards, and ends at Shawan Road. It is one of the few parks in Shenzhen that is fully covered by a public Wi-Fi network. Other highlights of the waterfront park include telescopes at different view decks, a playground for children and pavilions of different styles.

Walking along the well-paved paths that wind through the flourishing woods and abundant flowers, visitors can also expect an excellent view of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden and Hongfa Temple, Wutong Mountain and even Longgang District in the distance.

Jiangang Hill, Bao'an

The name of Jiangang Hill in Xingdong, Bao’an, sounds unfamiliar even to some longtime dwellers in the neighborhood. Standing at an altitude of 203 meters, the hill is not at all striking. However, if one climbs up the approximately 1,000 steps stairway that leads to the top of the hill, one might be stunned by the the unfolding view.

On the top of the hill stands a temple-like compound in the middle of a large well-manicured lawn. The temple remains “mysterious” to visitors because there is no introduction about it and little information can be found on the internet. Even frequent visitors say they never saw the door open, let alone visited it. Standing in front of the serene hill-top compound and enjoying a dominating view of the neighborhood is a relaxing experience.

A 100-meter-long wooden corridor goes around the temple, serving as a place for rest as well as a viewing deck, from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Bao’an. Make sure you stop at the viewing decks on the way down to the hill; you will be amazed by the views of a sprawling villa and residential compound at the foot of the hill.

A walk to the top of the hill takes around half an hour, and the well-marked tracks make sure it is an easy and relaxing stroll. However given the fact that it lacks shade trees for sunshine shelter on the trail, it might be best to slap on some sunscreen, and it wouldn’t hurt to bring along some water and mosquito repellent.