Niche hiking trails, locations in SZ (III)

Human activities can be slowed down, such as what Shenzhen experienced in early March during the COVID-19 flare-up, but you can’t slow the pace of Spring. The soothing sunshine, fragrant air, returning birds chirping, lush greens and vibrantly blooming flowers are among the invitations from nature, luring people to go 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 your plans for an outdoor weekend as the lockdown restrictions ease.

Qiushui Hill Park

With a history of 24 years, Qiushui Hill Park in Longgang had its waning days, but is now taking off again as a popular weekend destination.

This is a park where visitors can have a taste of hiking on a Great Wall (though a very short one), and rejoice in the fun activities one can find in an amusement park: cableway, roller coaster, flying boat surfing, space shuttle, pirate ship, bumper cars, etc.

The park’s feature is a 380-meter-long Great Wall with four beacon towers that winds its way to the top of the 253-meter-tall Qiushui Hill. The wall was built to scale along the mountain shape modeled after the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing. Don’t underestimate the challenges of the trail. In some sections, the trail slopes upward at an angle of 70-80 degrees, which could make ascending to the top of the hill huffing and puffing for many casual visitors.

But the challenges come to an end just when one is about to break down and give up. However, don’t stop at the place where the ascending Great Wall ends. Walk along the mountain trail for a few more minutes and you will find a hill-top square awaiting that provides you with rewarding views. From this viewing deck, visitors can have a panoramic view of Longgang District and the Shenzhen Reservoir.

Riding the cableway is the choice of many to descend the hill. The ride takes less than five minutes, just enough for one to take a breath and take pleasure in the greenery and city views unfold beneath.

Shangwei Art Village

With a history of more than 400 years, Shangwei Village has been sitting quietly in Longgang for a long time. A rejuvenation project that began in 2016 brought a facelift to this typical Hakka-style village with the arrival of young artists and designers. Independent shops, workshops and studios popped up in lanes, and graffiti works sprung up on village walls, adding an artistic modern atmosphere to the ancient village.

The village is small in scale, and a half-an-hour tour is enough to explore the village by foot. The village is home to five 100-year-old watchtowers and nearly 50 ancient Hakka houses. Houses with traditional Hakka architectural features are well protected, and most original residents still live in the neighborhood as their ancestors did. While graffiti art captures the attention of many visitors at first glance, it’s the lively details, such as the fragrance of plants and lush greens in the delicate gardens along the lanes,a self-help store selling handicrafts and the small yet well-arranged museum that bring more pleasant surprises. The lively rural community is a delightful blend of ancient and modern.

Jingui Village

This ancient Hakka village in Pingshan District formed 400 years ago is now one of the most popular camping destinations for young Shenzhen dwellers. The natural gifts that used to be known only to the dwellers in the hillside village, a clear running brook that run through the seven natural villages in the area, flat and fertile farmlands, and well-preserved ancient houses and lush woods, are now attracting smart investors who see the potential of this hidden gem as do avid holiday makers.

This is the place where you could find some of the most trending boutique guesthouses in the city. Starting a day with a trip into the woods along the brook in the morning, and later waiting for the sunset while sipping a cup of tea in a guesthouse is the typical way of spending a day in Jingui Village.

For outdoor fans, lodging options also include overnight camping in the woods. A flat and open lawn serves as a camping site here. Rent a tent, set up a camp fire and heat the barbecue grills; a camping night in Jingui Village can be a truly memorable experience.