Take Metro Line 14 to discover Pingshan, and more
Taking a stroll in Dawan Ancestral Residence or Longtian Ancestral Residence, admiring stunning artworks at the Pingshan Art Museum, having a good read at Pingshan Library, enjoying classical music or an avant-garde dance show at Pingshan Theater, and meeting international talents at Pingshan International Talent Community, these are all easily achievable now by taking Shenzhen Metro Line 14.
Also known as the Eastern Express, Shenzhen Metro Line 14 starts operation Friday. A ride that takes less than an hour provides passengers convenient access to northeast Shenzhen’s Pingshan District.
A map of Metro Line 14 stations. Graphic by Lin Jianping
Six stations in Pingshan:
Visitors are seen at Dawan Ancestral Residence in Pingshan District. Photos by Liu Xudong except otherwise stated
Jinlong Station 锦龙站
Visitors exiting Jinlong Station and taking a short walk eastward for 900 meters will reach the famous Hakka architecture, the Dawan Ancestral Residence (大万世居). Covering 25,000 square meters, it was built in 1791 by the Zeng family and has more than 400 rooms and halls. Diaolou watchtowers, wells, halls, wooden plaques and cultural relics are well preserved. In recent years, cultural events, such as international illustration exhibitions and light shows, have been held at this centuries-old compound.
Maluan Mountain is famous for its waterfalls. Lin Jianping
Another gem in Pingshan is Maluan Mountain (马峦山) where there are large waterfalls in the summer, together with old Hakka villages and breathtaking natural scenery. Currently, the nearest Metro station from the mountain is Jinlong which is still four kilometers away, but more bus stops have recently been added around Metro stations in Pingshan for passengers to access remote places.
At Pingshan Innovation Park (坪山创新广场) near Jinlong Station, apart from office buildings, there are light-meal restaurants and coffee shops. The Rainbow Department Store’s Pingshan branch (天虹商场坪山店) is also within walking distance to the station, providing an easy shopping and dining opportunity. And you can do exercise at Pingshan Sports Center (坪山体育中心) which is 1.5 kilometers away.
Pingshanwei Station 坪山围站
To celebrate the opening of Metro Line 14, the Holiday World (坪山益田假日世界) shopping mall near Pingshanwei Station is offering discounts, giving souvenirs and holding free movie screenings for shoppers this weekend.
Exit Pingshanwei Station and walk southeastward for 800 meters, and you will find Wenwu Temple (文武帝宫), which was built in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This 512-square-meter temple complex was originally used by the Hakka people to venerate Confucius and Guan Yu. With the old architecture preserved, it now has been partly modified as a division of Pingshan Book Room (坪山城市书房) for locals to read books and hold cultural events.
With the old architecture preserved, Wenwu Temple has been partly modified as a division of Pingshan Bookroom. Photo from Eastern Cultural's WeChat account
Pingshan Center Station 坪山中心站
Walking eastward for 1.4 kilometers, you can relax at Yanziling Park (燕子岭公园) and enjoy colorful flowers, while in the west side of the Metro Station, Pingshan Central Park (坪山中心公园) serves as a wonderful place to take a stroll thanks to its luxuriant trees and lakes.
Pingshan Central Park
Pingshan Square Station 坪山广场站
Pingshan Theater
Around Pingshan Square Station, you are expected to spend more time in this area since it gathers several cultural venues, collectively known as the Pingshan Culture Center (坪山文化聚落). There are also lifestyle stores, a book store and a cinema.
Pingshan Library
At Pingshan Art Museum (坪山美术馆), admire contemporary artist Shen Shaomin’s current solo exhibition; at Pingshan Library (坪山图书馆), read a book from a collection of over 1.2 million books; at Pingshan Cultural House (坪山文化馆), take a free art lesson; and at Pingshan Theater (坪山大剧院), you can watch concerts, musicals and dances all year round.
Pingshan Art Museum
The Pingshan International Talent Community (坪山国际人才街区), 1.2 kilometers away from the Metro station, provides information services, temporary residence registration, consultation on legal and tax affairs and services for entry and exit to international talents. It also includes discussion and reading areas.
Pingshan International Talent Community. Photo from WeChat account "pingshanfb"
Kengzi Station 坑梓站
Dancers perform at Longtian Ancestral Residence. The Pingshan Dance Creation Camp is being held in the district. Photo from Pingshan Cultural House
Within a short walking distance, visitors have access to the Longtian Ancestral Residence (龙田世居), a well-preserved Hakka compound built by the Huang family around 1837.
Shatian Station 沙田站
Shatian Station is a terminus station of Line 14 and located near the border between Shenzhen and Huizhou.
By taking Metro Line 14 and then buses or taxis, passengers can get to more places in Pingshan, such as Pingshan Railway Station (坪山站), BYD headquarters (比亚迪总部), Greater Bay Area International Vaccine Innovation Center (大湾区国际疫苗创新中心), Shenzhen innoX (深圳科创学院), Yanzi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center (燕子湖国际会展中心) and Shenzhen Technology University (深圳技术大学).
Locals and tourists can relax at Jingui Camp Town (金龟露营小镇), Pingshan Sculpture Creative Park (坪山雕塑艺术创意园), Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall • Shuiyuan Ancestral Residence (东江纵队纪念馆 • 水源世居), Nanzhong School (南中学堂), Pingshan Wetland Park (坪山湿地公园) and Grand Skylight International Hotel Pingshan (坪山格兰云天国际酒店).
Many places are located along Metro Line 16 which will start operation at the end of the year.
Nanzhong School was built in 1931. Photo from Eastern Cultural's WeChat account
Other Line 14 stations:
Gangxia North Station 岗厦北站
Located in central Futian, Gangxia North Station offers transfers between Metro lines 2, 10 and 14. The station provides easy access to the One Avenue (卓悦中心) shopping and dining center, Hilton Shenzhen Futian (深圳大中华希尔顿酒店), several office buildings and Gangxia Village (岗厦村).
Huangmugang Station 黄木岗站
Also in Futian, Huangmugang Station is a transfer station of Metro lines 7 and 14. From this station, you have easy access to the Shenzhen Sports Center (深圳体育中心), a great place for residents to exercise.
The Huangmugang Comprehensive Transportation Hub also includes a six-lane overpass. The decoration on the overpass is like a leaf, which will be a new landmark in Shenzhen. Photo by Zhou Hongsheng
Luohu North Station 罗湖北站
Located in Qingshuihe (清水河) area in Luohu District, Luohu North Station helps residents in this area get access to the Metro system.
Buji Station 布吉站
Located in Longgang District, Buji Station offers transfers for Metro lines 3, 5 and 14, and is close to Shenzhen East Railway Station (深圳东站).
Universiade Station 大运站
Also in Longgang, Universiade Station is a transfer station of Metro lines 3 and 14. In the north, you can go shopping and dining at Coco Park’s Longgang outlet (龙岗星河Coco Park) and Sam’s Club’s Longgang store (山姆会员商店龙岗店). In the east, Shenzhen Universiade Software Town (大运软件小镇) is a division of Shenzhen Software Park.
In the west, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology (深圳信息职业技术学院) and CUHK-Shenzhen (香港中文大学(深圳)) are also very near. After walking northwestward for 1.5 kilometers from the station, you will find the Shenzhen Universiade Center (深圳大运中心).
Zhangbei Station 嶂背站
You can relax at Zhangbei Country Park (嶂背郊野公园) which is within a short walking distance to the station. Covering an area of 33.42 hectares, the park is like a natural oxygen bar benefiting locals and tourists alike. Popular spots in the park include a winding plank road where visitors can view Longgang from different perspectives, and a 12.8-meter-high watchtower with circular stairs.
The watchtower at Zhangbei Country Park. Photo from WeChat account “longgangfabu”
Shiyaling Station (石芽岭站), Liuyue North Station (六约北站), Silian Station (四联站), Aobei Station (坳背站), Zhangbei Station (嶂背站), Nanyue Station (南约站) and Baolong Station (宝龙站) are all located in either industrial or residential areas in Longgang District, offering easy Metro access for commuters and residents there.